Wernher von Braun Institute and Viasphere International to engineer
a new breed of technology startups

SANTA CLARA, California, and Campinas, São Paulo — April 10, 2003 — Viasphere International and Centro de Pesquisas Avançadas Wernher von Braun (“Wernher von Braun Institute”) today announced a strategic relationship in the areas of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This relationship will create a bridge between Viasphere and the Wernher von Braun Institute to commercialize technologies and transplant products in the US and Brazil.

Viasphere International is a Silicon Valley, California, based incubator and accelerator for high technology startups. Since 1999, Viasphere has incubated several cutting-edge startups in enterprise software, embedded systems, electronic design automation (EDA), and semiconductor intellectual property (IP) and devices. Viasphere has led successful technology spin-offs from research institutions and multinationals into commercial entities. In 2001, Viasphere International established a technology park in Armenia (Technopark) utilizing advanced local capabilities in computer science, physics and mathematics. Today, the Technopark continues to successfully bridge Armenia and high technology companies in the US.

The Wernher von Braun Institute is an independent research organization located in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, which conducts applied R&D in advanced physics and computer science. The Institute currently has several projects under development, including groundbreaking research in the propagation of electromagnetic waves and optimization of industrial processes.

“We have been very impressed by the advanced research undertaken at the Institute” said Anthony Moroyan, Chairman of Viasphere International. “We see several opportunities to commercialize core technologies developed by the Institute. Additionally, we see opportunities to bridge efforts between the Institute and Armenia, through Viasphere Technopark in Armenia, based on the technical cooperation agreement signed last year between the Institute and the Academy of Sciences of Armenia.”

“Our relationship with Viasphere will allow us to access cutting-edge capabilities in Silicon Valley, USA,” noted Dr. Dario Sassi Thober, Technical Director of the Institute. “We're excited to be breaking new ground for high tech in Campinas working with a partner that has such a proven track record in creating world-class startups. We are also excited about the presence that Viasphere has in Armenia and the possibilities for technical cooperation there.”

About Viasphere
Viasphere International, Incorporated, is a Silicon Valley, USA, based incubator and accelerator established in 1999 with a proven track record in building successful high technology startups and multinationals. Viasphere has a worldwide network of industry leaders, experts, and sources of capital through affiliated industry groups, universities and venture funds. For more information, visit http://www.viapshere.com

About Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun Institute is an independent non-profit research and development organization. In addition to conducting R&D, the Institute acts as an incubator startups and spin-offs based on its research activities. The Institute provides research and development to national and multinational companies as well as other research institutes and the government of Brazil.
http://www.vonbraunlabs.com.br

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Viasphere is trademark or registered trademark of Viasphere International, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

For Press Relations

Viasphere: Anne-Marie Dekker; Tel: +1-408-774-5203; email: amd@viasphere.com

TecnoCentro: Marienne Lippelt; Tel: +55 (19) 3206-0700; email: marienne@vonbraunlabs.com.br