--- begin forwarded text From: Dov Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: ZKS Press Releases <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Zero-Knowledge Press Release] ZERO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS SECURES $12M IN CAPITAL FUNDING Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 10:33:55 -0400 Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ================================================================== Zero-Knowledge Systems Press Release, http://www.zeroknowledge.com ================================================================== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ZERO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS SECURES $12M IN CAPITAL FUNDING FROM LEADING SILICON VALLEY VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS NetReturns2000--Aspen, Colorado--Sept. 30-- Zero-Knowledge Systems, a leading developer of Internet privacy solutions, announced today it has secured US $12 million in first round venture capital funding. The lead investors are Platinum Venture Partners, Aragon Ventures and Strategic Acquisition Ventures, the Silicon Valley venture capital firms that have funded leading Internet firms Inktomi, LiquidAudio, Star Media and YesMail.com. Zero-Knowledge is currently beta-testing its much-anticipated Freedom privacy technology, which empowers users to surf the Web, send email, post to newsgroups and chat via untraceable digital identities called "nyms." All Freedom traffic is encrypted and routed through the Freedom Network, a globally distributed network of Freedom Servers hosted by ISPs and independent server operators around the world. Heralded by privacy advocates as the only fully trustworthy privacy solution, Freedom will be available commercially in fourth quarter 1999. "In selecting our partners, we looked for investors who share our vision of a multi-billion dollar privacy, identity and trust industry, and see the incredible opportunity for Zero- Knowledge to be the market leader in privacy and identity management solutions," said Hammie Hill, CEO of Zero-Knowledge Systems. "Our partners have a solid history of backing market leaders introducing revolutionary technologies. Zero-Knowledge is poised to become a market leader by ensuring that privacy and identity reside on every consumer's desktop." "The Internet was not created with privacy concerns in mind. Zero-Knowledge will for the first time bring true privacy to the Internet," said Mike Santer, co-founder and general partner of Platinum Venture Partners. "Zero-Knowledge's technological approach is the simplest and most comprehensive way for Internet users to protect their privacy online. We see enormous growth potential for providers of Internet privacy solutions and are confident that Zero-Knowledge will establish a dominant lead in this market." "The Internet is revolutionizing consumer empowerment, and as a leader in privacy protection Zero-Knowledge will be a market leader in consumer protection and identity management," said David Brewer, founder and general partner of Aragon Ventures. "Zero-Knowledge will play a pivotal role in the evolution of the Internet, as the number one consumer empowerment company addressing the ever-increasing privacy concerns of Internet users." Mike Santer of Platinum Venture Partners and Alex Hern of Strategic Acquisition Ventures have joined the Board of Directors of Zero-Knowledge Systems. About the Investment Partners Platinum Venture Partners was founded in 1992 and maintains offices in Palo Alto, CA and Chicago, IL. Aragon Ventures' offices are in Palo Alto, CA. Strategic Acquisition Ventures' offices are in Palo Alto, CA and Tampa, FL. General Partners of these VC firms have been private equity investors in leading public Internet-related companies Inktomi (NASDAQ: INKT), Liquid Audio (NASDAQ: LIQD), Star Media Network (NASDAQ: STRM), Whittman-Hart, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHIT) and YesMail.com (NASDAQ: YESM), which have a combined market value of approximately US $10 billion. The VC firms have also backed or co-founded private companies including: Andromedia, Brainbuzz.com, Mothernature.com, National Transportation Exchange and Triton Network Systems. About Zero-Knowledge Systems, Inc. Founded in 1997, Zero-Knowledge Systems (http://www.zeroknowledge.com) is the first and only company providing a total privacy solution for all Internet activities. Zero-Knowledge is dedicated to protecting its customers' privacy and freedom on the Internet through mathematics, cryptography and source code. Based in Montreal, the company employs 80 people and is rapidly expanding its operations. Consumers interested in previewing Zero-Knowledge Systems' Freedom technology can visit http://www.zeroknowledge.com/products/download. Journalists can visit the Zero-Knowledge pressroom at http://www.zeroknowledge.com/pressroom. (Freedom is a trademark of Zero-Knowledge Systems, Inc. All other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.) For more information, please contact: Dov Smith Director of Public Relations 514.286.2636 x 248 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Meredith Markman Weber Group Public Relations 415.616.6238 [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # # --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert A. Hettinga <mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'
