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Curious Networks
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| CURIOUS NETWORKS WELCOMES CASEY COWELL TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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| Cowell Sees Promising Future for Company's Multi-Channel Architecture,
Delivering Personalized Information & Services Across Any Voice, Wireless or Internet Device |
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| CHICAGO - July 10, 2000 - Industry pioneer Casey Cowell today joins wireless interface leader Curious Networks as both board member and investor. Recently launched, Curious Networks is the first company to offer businesses a simple way to deliver customized information and services to users through voice, wireless or other Internet devices. Cowell's vast experience as an entrepreneur and co-founder of U.S. Robotics (now part of 3Com Corporation), will help direct the company's mission to open up new opportunities for users to access personal, business and entertainment content and applications across any device. These devices could include PCs, mobile, standard and Internet-enabled phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Palm PilotsŪ and other emerging Internet appliances. |
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| Recognized as a technology visionary, Cowell serves as chairman and president of Durandal, Inc., a holding company of several private firms. In his previous position at U.S. Robotics, one of the first leading suppliers of data communications products and systems, he headed the company from inception through its merger in 1997 with 3Com Corporation, the highest-valued networking merger to date. Cowell's consumer-centric philosophy augments Curious Networks' approach to building relevant and user-friendly technology and applications. His customer-first views stem from his leadership at U.S. Robotics, which was instrumental in the revolution of business and consumer computing and, under his guidance, grew to become the world's largest personal modem manufacturer. There, he also played a significant role in the successful rollout of the Palm PilotŪ. |
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| "I am delighted to join the Curious Networks board," Cowell said. "Curious Networks' innovative approach to emerging technologies, paired with its commitment to the consumer, positions the company as a natural leader in the voice and wireless Internet industry." Curious Networks' patent-pending architecture provides a comprehensive and scalable solution to companies seeking to launch voice, mobile and Internet-based applications, which are compatible with all industry standards, from HTML and XML to WAP and VoiceXML. It is the first multi-channel architecture created to help companies compete immediately and into the future, regardless of changing standards or emerging devices. The "Build Once, Access Everywhere" design enables business partners to develop their services one time, and instantly be accessible via all channels. This provides a tremendous advantage over competing services that require the development of custom applications for every channel. With Curious Networks, customers can structure their wireless strategies around devices that best serve their target customer base. |
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| Cowell joins Jim Malackowski, chair of the Curious Networks board, and director/officer in numerous business and professional enterprises; William Steinmetz, managing director of BlueStar Ventures L.P.; and Terry Holt, private investor and founder of Interface Software. |
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| Cowell's appointment comes on the heels of Curious Network's follow-on round of initial funding, which also closed today, led by BlueStar Ventures L.P. and Chicago venture capital company Duchosoiss TECnology Partners, LLC, as well as contributions from Cowell and Terry Holt. |
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| "The addition of Casey Cowell to our board gives Curious Networks enormous depth and a high standard of excellence and achievement," said David Cutler, co-founder and CEO of Curious Networks. "A true leader, Cowell commands a thorough understanding of critical business and technology skills, which will support Curious Networks as the company evolves." |
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About Casey Cowell
In addition to Curious Networks, Cowell serves on the board of directors for 3Com Corporation and is a member of the boards of trustees for the University of Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Cowell received numerous awards of excellence for his achievements in the industry, including the "High Technology Advocate" and the "Inventing America's Future" awards, both from the American Electronics Association. Cowell also has been named the "Illinois High-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year" by KPMG Peat Marwick and "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Venture magazine. He was also inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he received the Dean's Award. |
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About Curious Networks
Curious Networks is the first company to offer businesses an easy way to deliver customized information and services to users through voice, wireless or other Internet devices. The company's mission is to open up new opportunities for users to access personal, business and entertainment applications and content when they want it, how they want it, and where they want it-simply by using their PCs, mobile or standard phones, Palm PilotsŪ, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or other emerging Internet appliances. |
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| The company's scalable, multi-channel architecture is designed to help companies compete now and into the future with technology and applications, which are compatible with all industry standards from HTML and XML to WAP and VoiceXML. Companies looking to launch services immediately can take advantage of Curious Networks Quickstart applications, including news, stock quotes, weather, horoscopes, messaging, calendars and contact management. |
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