Nuance Named One of the Fastest Growing Technology Companies in North America by Deloitte & Touche; Speech Software Leader Named to ``Technology Fast 500'' List

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2002

Nuance (Nasdaq:NUAN), the speech software experts, today announced it has been named to Deloitte & Touche's prestigious "Technology Fast 500" list, a ranking of North America's 500 fastest growing technology companies. Rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal revenues from 1997-2001.

"With its ranking on the prestigious Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, Nuance's leaders have proven that they have the vision and fortitude to excel in the highly competitive technology industry," said Mark A. Evans, managing director of Deloitte & Touche's Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group. "We congratulate Nuance on becoming one of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in the United States and Canada."

"Our steadfast commitment to meeting the needs of our customers and partners, and making them successful with speech, continues to fuel Nuance's growth," said Ron Croen, president, CEO, and chairman, Nuance. "Nuance is especially proud of its talented and experienced employees who are truly responsible for the progress and success of the company."

Fast 500 Selection and Qualifications

The Fast 500 list is compiled from three sources: Deloitte & Touche's 20 regional North American Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to the Fast 500, and public company database research. To qualify for the Fast 500, companies must have had 1997 operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD and $75,000 CD, for United States and Canada respectively, must be public or private companies headquartered in North America, and be "technology companies" defined as companies that own proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devote a high percentage of effort to research and development of technology.

About Nuance

Nuance is the speech software expert. Nuance speech recognition, voice authentication and text-to-speech products enable people to access information and services anytime, anywhere, and from any phone. And the Company's comprehensive service offerings simplify the delivery of speech solutions. In markets around the world, leading carriers and corporations -- including British Airways, Nomura Securities, OnStar, Sprint PCS, United Parcel Service, Vodafone, and many more -- work with Nuance to reduce costs, increase customer satisfaction and retention, create new sources of revenue and improve security. Nuance is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif. and has offices around the world. For more information, visit www.nuance.com or call 1-888-NUANCE-8.

About Deloitte & Touche

Deloitte & Touche, one of the nation's leading professional service firms, provides assurance and advisory, tax, and management consulting services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 100 US cities. The firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Known as a employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, Deloitte & Touche had been recognized as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" by Fortune magazine for five consecutive years. Deloitte & Touche refers to Deloitte & Touche LLP and its related entities. Deloitte & Touche is the US national practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity. For more information, please visit Deloitte & Touche's Web site at www.deloitte.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, for example, those relating to the success of Nuance's business and technology and the market adoption of Nuance products. There is no assurance that the results contemplated by any forward-looking statements will be realized. The following factors, risks and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or implied in this press release's forward-looking statements: the risk that Nuance's business will not continue to grow or will decline, the risk that Nuance's products or services based on Nuance products will not achieve customer adoption or broad commercial success and other factors described in Nuance's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Nuance's last-filed quarterly report on form 10-Q. Nuance does not undertake to update any oral or written forward-looking statements that may be made by or on behalf of Nuance.

Note to Editors: Nuance is a trademark of Nuance Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.