AsiaWired Inc. Captures Japanese Venture Capital Network.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000

AsiaWired Inc. today announced that it has entered a cross-national strategic alliance to further increase access to Japan's venture capital community.

AsiaWired Inc. is the network for locating venture capital and delivering business opportunities to startups between Asia and the United States. Through its VC-startups Exchange Network, AsiaWired Inc. has effectively secured three Japanese venture capital companies -- Yasuda Enterprise Development Co. Ltd., Nippon Venture Capital Co. Ltd., and Nikko Capital Co. Ltd. -- which will service the Silicon Valley.

Max Huang, CEO of AsiaWired Inc., stated, "Japan is the second largest economic body in the world. These venture capital companies represent over $1 billion in available venture capital. AsiaWired is now able to access increased funds for our VC Startups Exchange Network."

Last week Huang traveled throughout Asia recruiting new venture capital. Not only did he successfully sign contracts with three highly respected Japanese venture capital companies, he also met with several other venture capital companies interested in the VC and Startups Exchange Network of AsiaWired Inc.

Brad Armstrong, director of business development at AsiaWired Inc., feels that "Opening the door to Japanese venture capital allows for a strengthened alliance around the Pacific Rim. Japanese entrepreneurial activity should increase as they become more involved in exchange networks, and especially for these Japanese firms signing up with the VC and Startups Exchange Network, of AsiaWired Inc."

This is especially important due to the recent opening of the Japanese NASDAQ, which also will increase the entrepreneurial activity within Japan, and for Japanese venture capitalists.

Huang believes that the world's attention is now focused on the Silicon Valley, where entrepreneurial ventures are abundant. Huang will be returning to Asia at the end of this month, planning to contact additional venture capital companies.

Nikko Capital Co. Ltd. was established in 1982. This dynamic Japanese venture company has total assets reaching $650 million. The Yasuda Enterprise Development Co. Ltd., was established in 1996, and in three years has invested in more than 500 companies worldwide. Investments include: Acer Peripherals Inc., President Chain Stores, Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd., Potrans Electrical Corp., Pacific Cellular Corp., and many other U.S.-based companies currently traded on the NASDAQ.

Nippon Venture Capital Co. Ltd., established in 1996 by the Japanese Government, has total assets reaching $250 million. Nippon Venture Capital Co. Ltd. is composed of 18 separate companies, including Fujitsu Limited, Sanyo Electronic Co. Ltd., Nippon Life Insurance Company, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.

About AsiaWired Inc.

AsiaWired Inc., www.AsiaWired.com, founded in 1996, is a leading Asia Pacific Infomediary for Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals, providing the world's first bilingual, transnational VC-Startup Exchange Network. AsiaWired Inc.'s headquarters are located in Santa Clara. In addition to offices in the major American cities, AsiaWired Inc. is also building branches in other Asian Silicon Valleys.

AsiaWired Inc.'s team comes from high-tech, banking, and communications backgrounds, working for such companies as IBM, Xerox, National Semiconductor, Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Dun & Bradstreet, The World Journal, CTN, and the United Daily News, The Gap Inc., and from Ricoh Corp.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Max Huang, CEO, please contact Ben Cathcart at 415/351-2227.