The World Economic Forum Designates Technology Pioneers for 2002: Barrett Comiskey, Co-Founder of E Ink Corporation, Selected

Business Wire, Jan 29, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2002

At its Annual Meeting 2002 in New York City, the World Economic Forum will announce the designation of 36 Technology Pioneers for 2002. Barrett Comiskey, co-founder of E Ink Corporation, has been selected as one of these Technology Pioneers.

Technology Pioneers are chief executives who are developing and applying the most innovative and transformational technologies. Their cutting-edge work in fields such as proteomics, peer-to-peer renewable energy and Internet infrastructure represents an enormous resource of entrepreneurial talent. This dynamic group is at the forefront of change in a variety of technology sectors.

In line with the Forum's commitment to improving the state of the world, the Technology Pioneers program was established in 2000 to provide a new perspective on technological change. By bringing these chief executives together with scientists, academics, NGOs, and Forum members and partners, the Forum hopes to shed new light on how technology can be used to stimulate medical breakthroughs, create economic growth and enhance global communication. The Forum will also engage these entrepreneurs in dialogue on important global issues such as ethics, privacy and bridging the digital divide.

Each year Technology Pioneers are nominated by members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum. The criteria for selection include:

1. Innovation. The company must be truly innovative. A new version or repackaging of an already well-accepted technological solution does not qualify as an innovation. The innovation should be recent - not more than two years old. The company should invest significantly in R&D.

2. Growth and Sustainability. The company should have all the signs of a long-term market leader and should have well-formulated plans for future development and growth.

3. Proof of Concept. The company must have a product on the market or have proven practical applications of their technology. Companies in "stealth" mode and companies with untested ideas or models will not qualify.

4. Leadership. The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals.

5. Status. The company must not currently be a Member of the World Economic Forum. This criterion applies to the parent company - thus wholly-owned subsidiaries of large firms are not eligible.

6. Potential Impact. This company must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future.

Nominees are evaluated by an external review committee comprised of technology experts with respect to the criteria above.

Barrett Comiskey, co-founder of E Ink Corporation, pioneered the original research on electronic ink at the MIT Media Lab. Upon receiving his degree in mathematics from MIT, Comiskey helped form E Ink in 1997 to change the way the world visually communicates information. He led the development effort in E Ink's first generation of electronic ink, a proprietary technology that provides significant advantages over other display technologies, yet offers all the benefits that have made ink on paper the preferred visual communication medium for the past 3,000 years. Comiskey has published several papers and holds patents on technologies related to electronic ink, digital and analog steganography and cryptography.

"During the past century, technology has had a profound impact on the way we live and work and will continue to do so," said Barrett Comiskey, co-founder of E Ink. "E Ink strives to make its contribution by helping to unleash the full power of our connected world by uniquely combining a paper-like reading experience with the ability to access information anytime, anywhere. It is an honor to have E Ink's efforts recognized by this prestigious organization."

In addition to his efforts developing electronic ink, Comiskey has spent time teaching science in the North Bronx, New York, elementary school in East Harlem, New York, and high school math in Cambridge, Mass. He recently moved to Taiwan to learn the Chinese language and study Taiwanese business and culture while remaining with E Ink as a consultant.

The uniqueness of the Technology Pioneer network ensures that key entrepreneurs are engaged in an integrated and interdisciplinary way, drawing on the diversity, creativity and dynamism of each individual. The Technology Pioneers community will provide the Foundation and its members with in-depth knowledge of some of the key technology issues facing society.

The World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org), based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an independent organization committed to improving the state of the world. Funded by the contributions of 1,000 of the world's foremost corporations, the Forum acts in the spirit of entrepreneurship in the global public interest to further economic growth and social progress. The Forum serves its members and society by creating partnerships between and among business, political, intellectual and other leaders of society to define, discuss and advance key issues on the global agenda.