For Release 10:00 a.m. PDT

April 21, 2000

 

Interval Research Closes

Smaller organization to be formed to focus purely on advanced development for broadband environment

 

PALO ALTO, Calif. — April 21, 2000 — Vulcan Ventures Inc., the investment organization of Paul G. Allen, today announced they have closed Interval Research Corp after eight years of pursuing advanced research. Approximately 30 of the staff will be offered an opportunity to join a newly formed Allen venture, which will focus purely on advanced development for Vulcan’s broadband-oriented portfolio companies. Many of the projects which were underway at Interval Research will be continued and further developed at the new organization.

"Interval was a large-scale attempt to try a different approach to research, and in its eight years we developed some very innovative technologies and had some signature successes," said Allen. "By taking a different approach now, and focusing our efforts purely on advanced development for broadband, we will accelerate the deployment of these new applications through my other investments. While Interval may not have achieved our initial high expectations, I am proud of the company, its people and their accomplishments. I will continue to be involved in supporting pure research in the future, as I believe research is critical to discovering and developing new technologies."

Allen reinforced his ongoing commitment to technology research by stating that compelling projects that had been underway at Interval would, as appropriate, be offered to universities and other research-oriented institutions for completion.

The as yet to be named applied development venture will be based in Palo Alto, under the direction of Vice President and Managing Director, Michael Lee. Lee brings over 20 years of systems and software experience to the new applied development venture from his previous positions with Digital Equipment Corp. and Sun Microsystems as well as being the founder of One Direct and Webfactory Corporations. Jim Billmaier, chief executive officer of Vulcan portfolio company Digeo Interactive will serve as president of the new venture.

Allen founded Interval in 1980 with a 10-year, $100 million commitment to incubating new technologies. Since that time the company generated over 140 patent applications for new technologies and products and spun off multiple businesses. Those patents and their associated technologies will now be available to the new applied development venture, as well as other Vulcan portfolio companies.

About Vulcan Ventures

Vulcan Ventures Inc. of Bellevue, Washington was founded by Paul G. Allen in 1986 to research and implement his investments. Through Vulcan Ventures, Allen invests in companies which offer products, services or technologies that fit his wired world strategy, and can contribute to or benefit from the technology and strategy of other Paul Allen companies. William D. Savoy is president of Vulcan Ventures, and represents Allen in his professional and personal financial transactions as well as manages the Vulcan analysts who investigate and secure investment opportunities. Allen remains chairman of Vulcan.

 

 

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For more information, press only:

For Vulcan Ventures Inc.

Susan Pierson Brown, 425.453.1940

Susanp@vnw.com

www.paulallen.com