CenterBeam, Inc. Receives $20 Million in First Round Funding; Founders to Leverage Over 70 Years of Internet Experience to Build a New Internet Model for the Small Business Market.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--

CenterBeam, Inc.(TM), today announced that CrossPoint Venture Partners, Accel Partners, Microsoft Corp., USWeb/CKS Corp. and New Enterprise Associates (NEA) participated in the company's first round of financing totaling $20 million.

Along with this funding, CenterBeam plans to leverage its founders' high-technology experience from companies such as USWeb/CKS Corp., Autodesk, Inc., Novell, Inc., Price Waterhouse and Quarterdeck Corp. The founders include Sheldon Laube, chief executive officer; Glenn Ricart, executive vice president and chief technology officer; Marc Epstein, executive vice president of product management and development; and Tom Twietmeyer, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

The company's mission is to enable small business to exploit the power of the Internet. CenterBeam will introduce a new business service that provides all the necessary hardware, software, Internet access, security, support and service components in a single package.

In addition to financial backing, executives of, CrossPoint Venture Partners, Accel Partners and NEA sit on the company's board of directors. CenterBeam will use its first round of financing to develop the company's core infrastructure that will deliver this innovative service to small business, establish the CenterBeam brand and create demand for the new offering.

"Mr. Laube's expertise, coupled with a savvy executive team and an innovative technology approach, positions CenterBeam to lead the small business IT market," said Jim Breyer, managing partner from Accel Partners.

     The founders bring more than 70 years of Internet experience and
include:
-    Sheldon Laube, Chief Executive Officer
     Sheldon Laube is well known as a visionary technologist as well
     as a pragmatic business executive. His experience with the
     Internet started in 1970 at Case Western Reserve University, one
     of the first 13 universities that connected to the ARPA Net. Mr.
     Laube also has a proven track record for starting successful
     companies. In 1995 he co-founded USWeb Corporation and served as
     the firm's executive vice president and chief technology officer.
     During his tenure, he was responsible for the technology strategy
     and overall direction of the company's development operations.
     Prior to USWeb, Mr. Laube was CTO for Novell, Inc., where he led
     the development of Novell, Inc.'s technology strategy across its
     product divisions. Prior to joining Novell, Inc., Mr. Laube was
     director of information and technology for Price Waterhouse, now
     the world's largest professional services firm. Also while at
     Price Waterhouse, Sheldon directed the world's first major
     installation of Lotus Notes.
-    Glenn Ricart, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology
     Officer
     Glenn Ricart, Ph.D. is considered one of the Internet pioneers.
     His experience with the Internet also started in 1970 at Case
     Western Reserve University. Prior to CenterBeam, Dr. Ricart was
     CTO at Novell, Inc., where he was responsible for the development
     and architecture of its current technologies -- and the creation
     of its technology future. Before joining Novell, Inc., Dr. Ricart
     helped to shape the future of computing and networking at ARPA.
     He helped to build the NSFnet backbone, an original part of the
     Internet that was used to connect national supercomputing
     centers. While Director of Computer Science Center at the
     University of Maryland, he started the world's first ISP, SURAnet
     -- the first commercial company to allow companies to connect to
     the Internet.
-    Marc Epstein, Executive Vice President Product Management and
     Development
     Most recently, Marc Epstein was chief technology officer and
     senior vice president of Business and Technology at Quarterdeck
     Corporation, which was recently acquired by Symantec. During his
     tenure, Epstein spearheaded the development of Internet and
     directory-based, remote PC network and system management
     products. Prior to his position at Quarterdeck, Epstein served as
     general manager of Novell, Inc.'s Management Products Division
     where he was responsible for all network and systems management
     products, as well as Novell, Inc.'s directory-enabled management
     initiatives including ZEN-Works and ManageWise.
-    Thomas Twietmeyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
     Officer
     Tom Twietmeyer most recently worked for Autodesk, Inc. in a
     variety of financial, operational and general management roles.
     He began his Autodesk, Inc. service in corporate finance as the
     assistant controller. In 1991, he became director of Finance and
     Operations for the core group that founded the Multimedia
     Division. Later he advanced to director of Finance and
     Administration for the Americas, which accounted for
     approximately 50% of the company's revenues. In 1996, he was
     named General Manager, MCAD Data Publishing Division and managed
     sales and marketing for this Web-based content model. Prior to
     his service at Autodesk, Inc., Mr. Twietmeyer held several key
     financial roles at Esprit de Corp, a manufacturing apparel
     company located in San Francisco. Tom began his career as a CPA
     at Arthur Andersen & Co.

About CenterBeam, Inc.

Founded in 1999, CenterBeam, Inc. is dedicated to making the Internet work for small business. CenterBeam provides a total managed infrastructure that provides its customers with the most appropriate technology for their businesses. The privately held company investors include CrossPoint Venture Partners, Accel Partners, NEA, Microsoft Corp. and USWeb/CKS Corp. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., the company can be reached at [phone]. For information on the company visit: http://www.centerbeam.com.