VerticalNet Named to the FORTUNE e-50 Index of the Internet Economy

Business Wire, Dec 2, 1999

HORSHAM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 1999--

VerticalNet, Inc., the Internet's leading portfolio of business-to-business communities of commerce, has been named by FORTUNE magazine to the FORTUNE e-50 Index, along with America Online, IBM, Amazon.com, Microsoft, Yahoo! and Cisco Systems.

The FORTUNE e-50 was introduced as a regular feature in FORTUNE's December 6th issue as an effective proxy for the Net economy, tracking companies across the spectrum of the e-business world.

VerticalNet(R) is one of 19 companies listed in the "E-companies" category, defined by FORTUNE as companies redefining not only the way business is done, "but also how we shop, communicate, advertise, entertain ourselves, plan our lives, and manage our finances. They embody wildly different business models."

VerticalNet's trade communities provide users with comprehensive sources of information, interaction and e-commerce. These industry specific sites -- such as ComputerOEM Online (www.computeroemonline.com), Plant Automation.com (www.plantautomation.com) and Semiconductor Online (www.semiconductoronline.com) --comprise 10 industry groups, including Advanced Technologies, Communications, Environmental, Food Service/Hospitality, Food and Packaging, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Metals, Process, Sciences, and Services.

"We are proud to be recognized as an industry leader", said Mark Walsh, President and CEO of VerticalNet. "Awareness and understanding of business-to-business e-commerce has come a long way this year, and I think VerticalNet's inclusion on the index speaks volumes about our future of leveraging in the transforming power of the Internet to global trading communities."

About VerticalNet

VerticalNet, Inc. (www.verticalnet.com), owns and operates 53 industry-specific Web sites designed as online business-to-business communities, known as vertical trade communities. These vertical trade communities provide users with comprehensive sources of information, interaction and e-commerce.

They are grouped into 10 sectors: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES: Aerospace Online, Auto Central.com, ComputerOEM Online, Embedded Technology.com, Plant Automation.com, Semiconductor Online, Test and Measurement.com; COMMUNICATIONS: Digital Broadcasting.com, EC Online, Fiber Optics Online, Photonics Online, Premises Networks.com, RF Globalnet, Wireless Design Online, Wireless Networks Online; ENVIRONMENTAL: ElectricNet, Pollution Online, Power Online, PublicWorks Online, Pulp and Paper Online, Safety Online, Solid Waste Online, Water Online; FOOD AND PACKAGING: Bakery Online, Beverage Online, Dairy Network.com, Food Ingredients Online, Food Online, Meat and Poultry Online, Packaging Network.com; FOODSERVICE/ HOSPITALITY: E-hospitality.com, Foodservice Central.com; HEALTHCARE/SCIENCE: Bioresearch Online, Drug Discovery Online, E-Dental.com, Home Health Provider.com, Hospital Network.com, Laboratory Network.com, Long Term Care Provider.com, Medical Design Online, Nurses.com; MANUFACTURING AND METALS: Machine Tools Online, Metrology World.com, Surface Finishing.com, Tooling Online; PROCESS: Adhesives and Sealants.com, Chemical Online, Hydrocarbon Online, Paint and Coatings.com, Pharmaceutical Online, Online, Oil and Gas Online; SERVICE: HR Hub.com, Property and Casualty.com.

VerticalNet is the registered trademark of VerticalNet, Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.