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Curious Networks
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CURIOUS NETWORKS CLOSES FOLLOW-ON ROUND OF INITIAL FUNDING |
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Multi-Channel Architecture Firm Attracts Top Chicago Technology and Finance Investors |
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CHICAGO - July 10, 2000 - Curious Networks, creators of the first scalable multi-channel architecture for delivering personalized information and services, anywhere, through any voice, wireless or Internet device, today closed its follow-on round of initial financing, led by BlueStar Ventures L.P., a Chicago-based private equity investment fund. Also contributing to this round of funding were Chicago venture capital firm Duchossois TECnology Partners, LLC; Terry Holt, CEO of Interface Software; and Casey Cowell, co-founder of U.S. Robotics. As part of the closing, Cowell also joins the Curious Networks board. |
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This group of investors, which includes recognized thought leaders in technology, finance, and intellectual property provides credibility to Curious Networks' mission-to offer a comprehensive and scalable solution to companies seeking to launch voice, mobile and Internet-based applications, which are compatible with all industry standards, including HTML, XML, WAP and Voice XML. |
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With Curious Networks' innovative patent-pending architecture, partners can develop mobile technology applications once and the content will be instantly accessible on all channels-PCs, mobile/standard phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Palm PilotsŪ and other emerging Internet appliances. Curious Networks' approach provides a distinct competitive advantage over other integrators, which either require developing custom applications for each device or transcoding HTML into a limited number of access channels. |
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"Realizing the potential of the wireless market, BlueStar Ventures seeks to finance outstanding companies, such as Curious Networks, with exciting growth potential," said Bill Steinmetz of BlueStar Ventures. "Curious Networks' 'build once, access everywhere' architecture is a considerable breakthrough in this industry, which today is saturated with many standards, and no guarantees on which one will stand the test of time. Integrating the latest in Web, speech and mobile technologies, Curious Networks allows companies seeking to device-enable their Web sites or diversify and synchronize their existing product offerings to compete now and into the future with minimum risk."
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According to Jack Riccardi of Ducchossois Industries, Curious Networks' customer experience innovation group also separates the company from other integrators. "Curious Networks is not only the first company to take a multi-channel approach to the delivery of wireless Internet content, they've built their technology and application services from the perspective of the consumer, which we find instrumental to their success," Riccardi said. |
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The Curious Networks customer experience innovation group ensures a consistent and intuitive experience for consumers across all devices. Through usability studies, the group identifies the kinds of Internet information and services mobile customers seek, including personal, business and entertainment content and applications. Already, Curious Networks offers businesses numerous Quickstart applications, which they can offer users immediately, including news, stock quotes, weather, horoscopes, messaging, calendars and contact management plus full 2-way synchronization with personal digital assistants. The customer experience innovation group also identifies the way users want their information organized and presented, how they want to interact with it and on what devices. Curious Networks' mobile technology engineers turn these findings into practical solutions to address consumer needs and lifestyles. |
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"Curious Networks is quickly becoming a leader in the wireless technology services space. We are pleased to have investors of such caliber believe in our mission and fuel our dynamic growth," said David Cutler, co-founder and CEO of Curious Networks. "Each team brings something unique to the table, from longtime entrepreneurs who can help Curious Networks strategically build our business to innovative thought leaders who understand the process of introducing technologies to consumers." |
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About BlueStar Ventures
BlueStar Ventures L.P. is a Chicago-based private equity investment fund focused on early stage investments in technology, Internet and telecommunications companies. BlueStar Ventures makes investments of approximately $1 to $3 million per company, primarily in seed and first round financings. For more information, please visit www.bluestarventures.com. |
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About Casey Cowell
Cowell serves as chairman and president of Durandal, Inc., a holding company of several private firms. He also is the co-founder of U.S. Robotics, one of the first leading suppliers of data communications products and systems. There, he headed the company from inception through its merger in 1997 with 3Com Corporation, the highest-valued networking merger to date. Cowell was instrumental in the revolution of business and consumer computing. Under his leadership, U.S. Robotics grew to become the world's largest personal modem manufacturer. Cowell also played a leadership role in the successful rollout of the Palm PilotŪ. |
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About Duchossois TECnology Partners
Headquartered in Elmhurst, Ill., Duchossois TECnology Partners, LLC is a $100 million venture capital fund focused on early stage technology companies in the areas of telecommunications, software development and healthcare. Duchossois TECnology Partners is an affiliate of Duchossois Industries, Inc., a $1.3 billion family owned multi-national corporation with over 8,000 employees. |
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About Terry Holt
Based in Northfield, Ill., Holt is a private investor focusing on seed-stage investments for Internet startups and other technology ventures. He is also the CEO of Interface Software, a company specializing in professional services automation software. |
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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. 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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