Garage.com Forms Strategic Partnership With Plural; Garage.com Joins Plural's Propeller Program in a Partnership to Deliver Premier Services to Early-Stage Startups

Business Wire, May 15, 2000

Business Editors and Technology Writers

NEW YORK and PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2000

Garage.com, a leading online venture capital company that connects startups with experienced high-tech investors, and Plural, Inc., an interactive consulting and development firm, announced today a strategic partnership to deliver premier services to early-stage Internet startups ranging from initial funding to strategic, creative and technical consulting and development.

As a Garage.com preferred interactive development partner, Plural will offer specially tailored e-business strategy, creative and development services to effectively and quickly bring Garage.com Portfolio companies to market. Additionally, Garage.com clients will have access to the Plural Propeller program and its services. The Plural Propeller is a comprehensive program and partner network created to rapidly shepherd early-stage Internet companies from business plan through launch.

"Plural provides invaluable services to startups going to market. Their Propeller Program delivers the type of high impact, end-to-end service offerings that Garage.com Portfolio companies need," stated Guy Kawasaki, CEO of Garage.com

Plural and Garage.com began a business partnership in 1999 by assisting Boomerang Marketing.com. "Plural provided us with outstanding strategic planning and advice that helped us effectively implement our business plan and quickly get to market with a compelling online service," said David Terry, CEO of BoomerangMarketing.com. Plural provided the full suite of Propeller services, including direct investment, business, creative and technical strategy, development and implementation services.

"Garage.com is a pioneer in helping startups, and we're delighted to put this partnership into action and broaden our capabilities to meet the needs of today's entrepreneurs," said Bruce Hanson, Director of Plural's Venture Technology.

Plural is a participating sponsor of several upcoming Garage.com Bootcamp for Startups events. These two-day events provide in-depth lessons in the fundamentals of taking a company from startup to IPO. Experts offer advice on raising capital, building a buzz, hiring top talent, and launching a product. Plural will be sponsoring the May 16-17th Bootcamp in Silicon Valley, and several others in Fall 2000.

About Plural

Plural (www.plural.com) is a strategic interactive consulting and development firm focused on multiplying the eBusiness strengths of its clients. Propelled by more than 500 skilled strategists, creative specialists and technologists, Plural draws on more than 10 years of experience delivering business-critical interactive solutions to Global 2000 companies and Internet startup ventures. The company's eBusiness expertise is centered on business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets, with specialized industry focus areas in financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, pharmaceutical, media, travel and professional services. The company is headquartered in New York City with nine offices nationwide.

About Garage.com

Garage.com helps promising early-stage startups find high quality venture capital, corporate, and angel investors. In 1999 Garage.com helped 40 technology startup companies raise more than $130 million in venture capital through its wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary Garage.com Securities. Garage.com has headquarters in Silicon Valley, and domestic offices in Austin, Boston, and Seattle. In addition, Garage.com has international offices in Israel and London to serve the Israeli and European high tech startup communities. For more information, go to http://www.garage.com.