Skinkers licenses IP from Microsoft
NewMedia SPARK ("SPARK")
INVESTEE UPDATE: Microsoft licenses intellectual property to Skinkers Ltd ("Skinkers") and takes an equity stake
London, UK — June 6, 2006 — SPARK, the quoted venture capital organisation focused on early stage investments in the technology, media and telecoms sectors, is pleased to announce that yesterday at Microsoft's Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Innovation conference in Brussels, Microsoft Corp. announced the first spinout of technology from its Microsoft Research Cambridge lab to Skinkers, a London-based startup and SPARK investee company. Skinkers, a market leader in direct-to-desktop event notification and content delivery solutions, is acquiring technology that will enable it to reach more customers with faster and more reliable service. As a result of this agreement, Microsoft will get an equity position in the company and an observer seat on the board of directors.
This new relationship with an innovative European company marks the progress that the Microsoft IP Ventures program has made toward its goal of matching innovations from its research labs with companies around the globe that can refine and commercialize the technologies into their own products.
"Working with governments and venture capitalists to get our innovation portfolio in the hands of entrepreneurs who can commercialize it is a win for all parties," said Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International. "The new business relationships with Skinkers will yield new innovations for the European and the global markets."
The Microsoft IP Ventures program connects entrepreneurs with innovative technologies developed as part of Microsoft's multibillion-dollar annual investment in research and development. Through the program, new companies and economic development organizations gain access to Microsoft Research technologies and, in alliance with investment firms, commercialize the technology.
"The technology and the support available through the IP Ventures program provide an unparalleled opportunity for small and emerging businesses. This transaction accelerates the Skinkers product roadmap and the development and equity partnership provides a great platform from which the company can realise its full potential.," said Jay Patel, executive director of SPARK and a Board Director of Skinkers Ltd.
Skinkers to Bring Collaborative Agent Technology to Market
Skinkers will acquire a collaborative agent technology developed by Microsoft Research Cambridge as part of the agreement. Over the next year, Skinkers will co-develop software with Microsoft that will benefit both companies and result in a final product that Skinkers will take to market. Microsoft plans to incorporate part of the final technology into its product line. Microsoft will be a shareholder in Skinkers, and Andrew Herbert, managing director of the Microsoft Research Cambridge lab, will join Skinkers' board in the capacity of an observer.
"Microsoft's Cambridge Lab will be working closely with Skinkers in a venture that will bring new innovative technology to the European market," Herbert said.
"The relationship with IP Ventures enables us to combine our leading direct-to-desktop solutions with the latest collaborative agent content distribution technology from Microsoft, creating exciting new commercial opportunities," said Matteo Berlucchi, CEO of Skinkers.
For further information, please contact :
NewMedia SPARK 020 7851 7777
Jay Patel, Director
Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000
Tim Anderson / Isabel Podda
Notes to Editors
NewMedia SPARK plc
NewMedia SPARK is a quoted venture capital organisation based in central London focused on early stage investments in the technology, media and telecoms sectors. SPARK's portfolio has a particular emphasis on digital media, software applications, technology and communications. As an investor, SPARK expects to add significant value to its investments through active support and strategic direction. SPARK is listed on London's Alternative Investment Market.
For further information, see www.newmediaspark.com.