SmartLink Radio Networks Closes $12.0 Million in Series A Funding.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

WALLINGFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004

General Catalyst Partners and Highland Capital Partners Lead

Investment in Public Safety Communications Company 

SmartLink Radio Networks Inc., a supplier of two-way radio communications networking and interoperability solutions, today announced that it has secured $12.0 million in its first round of institutional investment. The Series A funding, which was led by General Catalyst Partners and Highland Capital Partners, will enable SmartLink to realize its vision of worldwide public safety interoperability.

"Since its founding, SmartLink has provided a complete, cost-effective and high-performance interoperability solution for public safety organizations," said Mark Hatten, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of SmartLink Radio Networks, Inc. "This first round of institutional funding validates both the need for interoperable communications and SmartLink's unique core technology, which supports the complex dynamics of the first responder market."

SmartLink has developed a software-defined network overlay that supports instantaneous communications between any combination of conventional or trunked radio equipment and systems irrespective of their operating frequencies or protocol. SmartLink's products include a software-defined network, trunking platform and a service that replans existing spectral and infrastructure assets. SmartLink's radio products can simultaneously integrate a customer's existing radio infrastructure and new equipment from almost any manufacturer.

In conjunction with the funding, SmartLink also announced the appointment of David Fialkow from General Catalyst Partners and Jon Auerbach from Highland Capital Partners to its board of directors.

"Interoperability of public safety communications is a top priority for The Department of Homeland Security and every local municipality. This has prompted public safety agencies to upgrade their communications infrastructure nationwide, which creates a great opportunity for SmartLink," said David Fialkow, managing director, General Catalyst Partners. "SmartLink provides a low cost open architecture solution that enables interoperability for state and local first responder agencies. We are pleased to partner with a great team to help increase the safety and security of our communities."

The SmartLink management team is led by founder and CEO, Mark Hatten, an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the communications, telecommunications and consumer electronics industries. Hatten founded Connecticut Telephone and Communications Systems, Inc., the third largest independent reseller of cellular service in the U.S., and served as its president and chief executive officer until 1998, when the company was successfully sold to USN Communications. SmartLink's co-founder Robert Stone serves as chief scientist. Stone, who has been involved in the computer and radio fields for approximately 35 years, has spent the last 12 years perfecting SmartLink's core technology. Prior to his work at SmartLink, Stone has completed projects for General Motors, McDonnell Douglas, Central Main Power Corp, the City of Portland and several land mobile radio companies.

In 2003, Thomas Lambalot was appointed president of SmartLink. Lambalot has held several general management positions at M/A-COM, Inc. In 1996, he became president of Filtronik-Comtek, US, where, in less than two years, he grew the business' annual revenues from less than $10.0 million to nearly $100.0 million. Lambalot also served as president and chief executive officer of Envoy Networks, where he engineered the company's acquisition by Texas Instruments in 2002.

"We have been impressed with SmartLink's strong team leadership and execution to date in bringing a compelling interoperable communications solution to market. The technology expertise within SmartLink makes them an ideal partner for us," said Jon Auerbach, of Highland Capital Partners. "With the public's continued emphasis on homeland security, SmartLink has the potential to very quickly become a significant player in its market and to provide our communities with a critical solution to a major technology issue. We look forward to working further with SmartLink as it expands upon its exciting and important mission."

About SmartLink Radio Networks Inc.

SmartLink Radio Networks Inc. is pioneering a new generation of technology for public safety and critical infrastructure radio communications providers. Founded in 1992, SmartLink has spent the last decade researching and perfecting a field-proven solution in mission-critical applications for public safety and critical infrastructure companies. SmartLink provides the most widely utilized solution, with more than 80 installations worldwide, presenting public safety organizations with an alternative approach to interoperability. SmartLink offers a cost-effective, open standards-based solution and provides choice to organizations seeking to quickly implement interoperability, continue to utilize existing radio equipment and maintain a base for future upgrades. The innovative SmartLink approach enables organizations to overcome the significant hurdles that have traditionally prevented the adoption of viable interoperability solutions.

For additional information about SmartLink, contact us or visit www.smrlink.com.

About General Catalyst Partners

General Catalyst Partners is a private equity firm that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs and technical founders who are building the software solution and technology platform companies that will lead innovation and transform industries. Founded in 2000, General Catalyst Partners leverages its principals' extensive operational, business development and technological expertise to provide portfolio companies with a catalyst for success through business building and partnership development assistance. General Catalyst Partners is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, please visit www.generalcatalyst.com.

About Highland Capital Partners

Highland Capital Partners was founded in 1988 with the mission of helping great people with great ideas build great companies. We emphasize a team-oriented approach in providing the right mix of strategic guidance, hands-on leadership, and deep industry domain expertise for helping entrepreneurs and their teams become market-leading organizations. Companies that Highland has backed include Altiga Networks, Ask Jeeves, Avid Technology, Be Free, CheckFree, EXACT Sciences, Gamesville, HighGround Systems, Lycos, MapQuest, Ocular Networks, Odyssey Healthcare, Sybase and WebLine Communications. For more information, visit www.hcp.com.