Epoch Internet Selects The Blaine Group as an Executive Partner in Comprehensive Technology Accelerator for Emerging Companies


BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 15, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Epoch Internet, the nation's largest privately-held tier-1 Internet solutions provider, has selected The Blaine Group as one of its executive partners in its Web Accelerator Program, the first program to offer emerging technology companies with an end-to-end e-business technology infrastructure at no cost for six months. The initiative will provide qualified companies with reliable, leading-edge hardware, software, Web hosting services, training and support from Epoch, IBM and key Southern California business partners in Epoch's Los Angeles data center. The new technology accelerator is the first to feature deployment on the Linux operating environment.

As part of the initiative, a group of Southern California business leaders will work with the selected technology companies in various stages of development. The business development partners include Silicon Valley Bank, O'Melveny & Myers LP, Deloitte & Touche, The Blaine Group and Satellite Marketing. Through these program participants, Epoch not only provides access to technology and support services, but also fosters the development of key industry relationships with recognized legal, accounting and technology firms that offer expertise specific to rapidly emerging companies.

"Through the collaboration of this world-class group of business and technology experts, we can help to ensure that the emerging technology companies participating in the Epoch Web Accelerator, powered by IBM, will be successful through each step of the business process," said Paul Hoffmann, vice president of Hosting Services at Epoch Internet. "With the support of our business partners, the six-month window of the Web Accelerator program will provide a means for participant companies to quickly develop and deploy their infrastructure while minimizing their costs until they realize an inbound revenue stream."

The Epoch Web Accelerator, powered by IBM, accelerates early-stage development to enable start-ups to prove their concept, raise capital and get to market quickly.

As part of the Web Accelerator, IBM will provide Netfinity(1) servers loaded with Linux from Red Hat. Also available from IBM is IBM WebSphere(1), one of the industry's most complete range of Web application server environments, IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite, the first integrated e-commerce solution to provide a wide range of easy-to-use features and functions, and DB2(1) Universal Database, the industry's first multimedia, Web-ready relational database management system for small- and medium-sized businesses.

"For emerging e-commerce companies, Epoch's Web Accelerator program preserves cash flow, does not require an equity stake in the company, and facilitates valuable introductions to business leaders and potential company sponsors," noted Devon Blaine, President and CEO of The Blaine Group, founding board member and past president of the Los Angeles chapter of NAWBO, founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of The Entrepreneur Institute, and three time past president of the Los Angeles Venture Association.

Business Partners

The following Southern California companies will be offering their business development services and consultation to the Epoch incubator participants:


 -- Silicon Valley Bank is widely recognized for its ability to
    partner with early-stage technology and life sciences companies in
    an effort to build successful businesses. Silicon Valley Bank will
    bring its high level of banking expertise and services to 
    participants in the program. 
 
 -- O'Melveny & Myers LLP, a legal firm whose attorneys are expert in
    the legal and business development needs of early-stage Internet 
    and high technology companies. The firm is recognized as a leader
    in virtually every field, and will work with the participants in 
    areas such as: intellectual property, corporate securities and 
    public offerings, private placement financing, entertainment/media
    transactions and executive compensation. 
 
 -- Deloitte & Touche, one of the nation's leading professional 
    services firms, offers a broad scope of e-Business expertise to 
    start-up and established dot-com companies, as well as traditional
    brick and mortar firms. Deloitte and Touche will work with 
    participants in areas covering all aspects of business needs, from
    accounting, finance, and tax advice, business strategy and human 
    resource consulting, to risk management, security specialization 
    and IT/business process outsourcing. 
 
 -- The Blaine Group, a total communications agency whose client base
    encompasses a wide range of businesses and industries, will work 
    with the incubated companies to provide a variety of special 
    communications services.  The Blaine Group implements consumer, 
    trade, and financial public relations; investor relations; and 
    advertising efforts and provides marketing strategy, based on 
    conducting market research; manages crisis situations; conceives
    and coordinates seminars and press conferences; develops master
    plans and collateral materials; writes articles, letters, and 
    speeches; conducts surveys; and publishes newsletters and 
    brochures.

Start-up companies interested in participating in the Web Accelerator program should visit www.epoch.net/Web Accelerator.

About Epoch Internet

Epoch Internet is a nationwide tier-1 Internet service and solutions provider. Founded in 1994, Epoch offers all the building blocks that enable businesses to construct solid Internet and e-business foundations including high-speed Internet access, hosting services, co-location solutions, firewalls and security products. In addition, Epoch has well-established and comprehensive channel programs offering additional value-added services. Epoch Internet is a premier member of IBM's ISP Business Partner Initiative. Epoch can be reached at 888-77-EPOCH and www.epoch.net.

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