Emporis deal closed

I closed my third deal recently and the fourth deal out of our newest fund. I'm very happy to have finalized this deal as it took some work. This one didn't go as quickly as some of my other deals, but at the same time, this one required a bit more preparation. In regards to Emporis, this will strengthen our execution and I am sure we have laid the right groundwork to sustain the necessary growth we are financing. Further details you can get from the press release which went out today and is posted for your review below:

04.09.2007
Emporis completes multi-million Euro financing round to drive growth

Investment accelerates growth and drives internationalization

Darmstadt, September 4, 2007: Emporis has completed a multi-million Euro financing for future growth. The company manages and markets building data in more than 50,000 cities worldwide. The Hamburg VC Neuhaus Partners has invested together with KfW Bankengruppe in this innovative technology business. The specific size of the deal was not disclosed.

Emporis (http://www.emporis.com) plans to use this investment to accelerate growth and drive internationalization. The Darmstadt company wants to offer its internet platform and its products in multiple languages, and to make building data universally accessible and useful. With this data, companies in the construction and real estate sector can analyze their markets and find respective projects and partners.

“Our clients want more transparency in their industry”, notes Stephan R. Boehm, Managing Director at Emporis and responsible for operational business. He adds, “The situation now is so that various companies involved in the building process are encapsulated from one another, leading to inefficiencies. We’re also observing an ever greater level of internationalization in the building industry. What’s missing though is a platform connecting industry sectors and geographies with one another, regardless of language or sector focus. Hence, Emporis manages and organizes data following the complete life cycle of a structure: from the concept phase through demolition. Our customers want to know who, what, when and where in regards to the construction and management of a building. It is exactly at this juncture that our product Emporis Research comes in.”

"The job of Emporis is to organize a complex puzzle," explains Michael Wutzke, Managing Director for technical development. He adds, "Each piece of information expands the picture we have of the building market. With this data we can predict conditions in the market and forecast trends. Emporis merges established business models with "Web 2.0" services and stores data so that it is semantically relevant. We generate completely new knowledge from simple information."

The application range of the data managed by Emporis is extensive: in addition to multiple uses in regards to the construction and real estate industries, this data can be used for statistical analysis, market research, escape and evacuation planning, and can, via integration into navigation devices, assist in route planning and navigation between buildings.

Paul Jozefak, Managing Partner at Neuhaus Partners, in regards to his investment: “Emporis is redefining the market for building data and is driving its growth. We’re convinced that Emporis has enormous potential with its innovative business model and are looking forward to working together with them in the coming years.”

About Emporis:
Emporis GmbH is a provider of information about buildings and manages data regarding structures on a global basis using a standardized platform and data definitions. The services of Emporis allow for location-independent access in multiple languages to saved data, allowing for market and trend research, as well as analysis for an internationally targeted customer base. In light of increasing globalization, the services provided by Emporis are allowing for ever greater transparency in the building industry. At the moment, more than 50 million data sets are being managed in connection with 52,000 companies worldwide. Emporis’ customers are part of the construction and materials as well as real estate, architecture, banking, insurance and telecommunications industry. The company is globally leading in the collection of information regarding high-rise buildings (buildings with 12 floors or more).

For further details on Emporis and internet sites please visit:
● Emporis.com: free building information (www.emporis.com)
● Emporis Corporate: company information (corporate.emporis.com)

About Neuhaus Partners:
Neuhaus Partners GmbH, based in Hamburg, was founded in 1997 by Dr. Gottfried Neuhaus and is one of Germany’s leading independent venture capital groups. It invests throughout Europe in technology companies. Since its founding, it has acquired a total of 40 stakes – in 38 of the companies Neuhaus Partners participated as lead investor. Track Record: Two IPO’s, 14 trade sales, two buy-backs, nine insolvencies. At present, Neuhaus Partners is in the fundraising process for a new EUR 100 million technology fund. First closing for this new fund “Neuhaus III” was in December 2006.

For further details on Neuhaus Partners please visit www.NeuhausPartners.com.

About KfW:
KfW Bankengruppe provides stimulus for the economy, society and ecology in Germany, Europe and throughout the world. KfW Bankengruppe is a public-law promotional bank, its shareholders are the Federal Republic of Germany (80%) and the German federal states (20%). With a balance-sheet total of EUR 360 billion KfW Bankengruppe is one of the large banks in Germany and exercises its statutory mission in different economic and social areas. By granting long-term, low-interest loans KfW Bankengruppe provides support, among others, to commercial small and medium-sized enterprises and business start-ups, the private housing sector and for the expansion of the municipal infrastructure. In addition, the Bank encourages innovations and supports the private equity market, it is active in the area of education finance and advances environmental protection. KfW also plays an active role in the areas of export and project finance and the promotion of the developing and transforming countries.