THCG Launches Zinook; Global Eco-Net for Early-Stage Investing
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000--
Eco-net To Serve As A Meta-Marketplace For Investors,
Entrepreneurs And Service Providers
THCG, INC. (NASDAQ:THCG), a leading architect and builder of
global Internet enterprises, today announced that it has successfully
launched Zinook (www.zinook.com) in Israel as the first stage in the
development of a global eco-net for early-stage companies, angel
investors and service providers. This eco-net will bring together a
range of partners to provide investors with the tools and investment
opportunities to successfully participate in early-stage technology
company investing globally. The eco-net will also deliver to early
stage companies and entrepreneurs online access to capital, business
creation services and the resources they need to greatly speed their
growth into global players in their field.
Zinook will bring simplicity, efficiency and speed to the process
of early-stage investing on a global basis. This meta-marketplace will
aggregate funding sources, business development services, content and
collaboration tools to become the leading platform globally for the
early-stage investing market.
Leveraging THCG's proven V3 approach that combines Venture
Development, Venture Banking, and Venture Funding, Zinook will begin
by helping Israel's leading technology entrepreneurs realize their
ideas in e-time. Israel is a leader in developing communication and
Internet technology companies, and Zinook will play a leading role in
funding the next generation of successful Israeli technology leaders.
Larry Smith, President of THCG, Inc. said, "Zinook has the
international resources to help start-ups become global leaders. We
expect that with these resources and the combination of talent in the
firm, Zinook will be a leader at bringing investor capital and
development services to new technology opportunities".
"We are delighted to be able to significantly extend the reach of
our services to Israeli entrepreneurs with the launch of Zinook", said
Zeev Holtzman, Chairman and CEO of THCG Giza Israel. "The Zinook team
has the skills and track record of success to identify for our
investors the most promising new technology companies and support
their development".
Zinook draws on the talents of some of Israel's most successful
entrepreneurs who have a track record of successfully growing new
businesses as well as a team in New York with extensive experience in
developing new ventures. The Zinook team will apply its deep
technology venture experience to identifying high potential technology
start-ups, funding these businesses and accelerating their development
with business development and technology support.
The Zinook team in Tel Aviv and New York includes:
Tel Aviv
Shuki Ehrlich - Previously Senior Vice President and member of the
executive committee of Amdocs Limited (NYSE:DOX, market
capitalization of more than $17 billion), Mr. Ehrlich has more than 25
years of experience working with technology companies. At Amdocs, Mr.
Ehrlich oversaw new business opportunities, including Customer Care
and Billing for Telecom, Internet Services, and e-Commerce. Mr.
Ehrlich has a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Tel Aviv
University.
Nizan Sagiv - Previously with VocalTec Communications (NASDAQ:VOCL), a world-leading provider of Voice-over-IP products, Mr. Sagiv
held the positions of Vice President of Sales and Global Operations,
Director of Sales and European Sales Manager. Mr. Sagiv also worked
for several other technology start-ups, most recently as European
Business Development Manager. Mr. Sagiv has a B.A. in Political
Science from Tel Aviv University.
Lior Katz - Previously with VocalTec Communications (NASDAQ:VOCL), a world-leading provider of Voice-over-IP products, Mr. Katz
held the positions of Vice President of Channel Development of the IP
Telephony Group, Director of Sales, Assistant Vice President of
International Sales and Business Development Manager. Mr. Katz also
worked for M-Systems (NASDAQ:FLSH) and SilverArrow Ltd. Mr. Katz has
an MBA from Tel Aviv University and B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering
and Management from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
Tal Kutner - Previously with Composite Communications, a provider
of Customer Interaction Management platforms, Mr. Kutner held the
positions of Co-CEO, Vice President of Business Development and
Product Marketing, and Vice President of Operations. Mr. Kutner also
worked for Missing Link Computer Technology, a provider of Voice
Response Systems, as its Vice President of Product Development and
Customer Service. Mr. Kutner has an MBA from New York University and
B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of
Technology.
Eyal Wachtenberg - Previously with Microsoft Israel, Mr.
Wachtenberg held the positions of Internet and Telecom Business
Development Manager. Mr. Wachtenberg also worked for Initiative, a
Business and Marketing Consulting company serving as a senior
consultant for Israeli high technology companies. Mr. Wachtenberg has
an MBA from Tel Aviv University and B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering
from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
New York
Michael Gegenheimer - Prior to joining THCG in 1999, Mr.
Gegenheimer was a co-founder of Mercury Coast, an Internet business
creation boutique in New York that was acquired by THCG in 1999.
Previously, Mr. Gegenheimer was CEO of Management Consulting Resources
International (MCRI), a firm he founded in 1996 to help companies
improve their product and service offerings. At USConnect NY, the
fifth largest systems integrator in North America, Mr. Gegenheimer
served as EVP Business Development. Mr. Gegenheimer also founded, grew
and sold Kensington Consultants, LTD., a software development and
support company.
Ed Tedeschi - Mr. Tedeschi was one of three co-founders of Mercury
Coast, an Internet business creation boutique in New York that was
acquired by THCG in 1999. As former Managing Partner of Messner Vetere
Berger McNamee Schmetterer, a $1.2 billion US advertising agency, he
played a key role in developing marketing, advertising, and promotion
campaigns for major brands and new products in packaged goods, OTC
medicines, cosmetics/HBA, financial services, credit cards, travel,
managed care, Rx pharmaceuticals, beer, soft drinks, and health care
services.
Peter Keuls - Previously, Mr. Keuls was a Director of Merrill
Lynch's International Private Client Group where he led market
planning, product development and pricing globally. He was also a
Principal of Gemini Consulting in London where he developed marketing
and international growth strategies for some of the world's leading
firms.
About THCG, Inc.
Based in New York City, THCG, Inc. is a leading architect and
builder of global Internet enterprises rapidly building a portfolio of
partnership businesses. Its incubation efforts center around Web
technologies, wireless, communications, network security, and supply
chain and customer relationship management. In addition, the Company,
which is also pursuing e-Commerce and Web-content transactions with a
"bricks and clicks" focus, has equity positions in eight early-stage
partner companies including Convergence MediaGroup, Inc.
(www.cmg-us.com); ENJEWEL (www.enjewel.com); Global Credit Services,
Inc. (www.globalcreditservices.com); Globecom Interactive, Inc.; IT
Utility, Inc. (www.itutility.com); and, Test University, Inc.
(www.testu.com).
THCG also holds investments in over 10 Internet and technology
businesses it acquired through direct investment, equity for services
or acquisitions, including iBeauty.com (www.ibeauty.com);
insci-statements.com, Corp. (NASDAQ:INSI, www.insci.com); Passport
New Media, Inc. (www.yourownworld.com); TechOnLine, Inc.
(www.techonline.com); RealTimeImage, Inc. (www.realtimeimage.com);
SoftWatch, Ltd. (www.softwatch.com); Sunshine Media Corporation
(www.bikini.com); and, webMethods, Inc. (NASDAQ:WEBM,
www.webmethods.com).
THCG shortly expects to complete the formation of THCG Giza Israel
as a THCG wholly owned subsidiary. THCG Giza Israel will serve as the
Company's global technology "center of excellence" and is focused on
sourcing, screening and developing promising companies in the areas of
Broadband, Wireless, Internet Enabling Technologies and Telecom
Infrastructures.
For more information, please visit the Company's Web site at
www.thcg.com.
"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995: The statements contained in this release which are
not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject
to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include the Company's entry
into new commercial businesses, the risk of obtaining financing, risks
associated with startup or early stage enterprises, the effect of
demand for public securities, activity in the secondary securities
markets, general economic, political and market conditions, and other
risks described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings.
CONTACT: Continental Capital & Equity Corporation, Longwood, FL
Dodi Handy, 407/682-2001
dodi@insidewallstreet.com
KEYWORD: NEW YORK
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INTERNET E-COMMERCE
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