Danial Faizullabhoy Joins JatoTech Ventures, an Early-Stage Venture Group Focused on Semiconductors.

AUSTIN, Texas -- JatoTech Ventures, an Austin-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage semiconductor investing, announced that Danial Faizullabhoy has joined the firm as Managing Director. Faizullabhoy, an accomplished semiconductor venture investor and executive, brings significant company-building and leadership skills to his new position.

During the last five years at Walden International, Faizullabhoy collaborated with the JatoTech Ventures team on several companies. While working together, he and the JatoTech team recognized they shared a common philosophy about building successful companies. "Investors with strong operational experience and market vision have repeatedly provided a competitive advantage for startups," said Molly Pieroni, Managing Director of JatoTech Ventures.

"JatoTech provides a unique opportunity to be involved with an emerging fund with proven early-stage semiconductor investment experience," Faizullabhoy said. "The team's sector focus and operational approach match my own philosophy."

To enable a smooth transition, Faizullabhoy will continue to represent Walden International as a board member at several of its portfolio companies. Prior to joining Walden in 1998, he was Vice President and General Manager of the Target Semiconductor group of Adaptec.

"Semiconductors have been the enabling force for much of the technology revolution and continue to be at the heart of new innovation," said Walt Thirion, Managing Director of JatoTech Ventures. "Danial's previous investments and the role he plays with them are clear evidence of his deep understanding of what it takes to build successful companies."

With the addition of Faizullabhoy, JatoTech now claims four successful startups in which the venture firm's principals have participated on the leadership team and/or founded the company: Thomas-Conrad Corporation, Jato Technologies, Adaptec and Level One. This first-hand operational experience is a valuable asset to JatoTech's portfolio companies, and it is a primary driver in the culture and philosophy of the firm.

Faizullabhoy further complements JatoTech's partnership by providing a direct presence in Silicon Valley and a deep set of relationships with design teams, channel partners and customers in Asia. In today's world of global sourcing, customers and research and development centers, the JatoTech team is able to deliver key resources, knowledge and hands-on experience to building a global semiconductor company from early-stage development to sustained profitability.

About JatoTech Ventures:

JatoTech Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage semiconductor companies that change the technology landscape. JatoTech has been making investments from its first fund which has had two exits, Stream Machine (bought by Cirrus Logic) and Cygnal Integrated Products (sold to Silicon Laboratories). Active JatoTech portfolio companies include Bandspeed, Ubicom and NetEffect. More information on the firm is available on the Web site at http://www.jatotech.com or by calling [phone].