8/29/00 - Dell Teams With Venture Capital Firms to Help Start-Up Companies Access Tailored Resources, Services and Products; VC Direct Program Targets Select Early-Stage Portfolio Companies
ROUND ROCK, Texas, Aug 29, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Dell (Nasdaq:DELL), a world leader in Internet commerce and infrastructure technology, today announced VC Direct, a new program that teams Dell with select U.S. venture capital firms to provide their portfolio companies access to the technologies, resources and services needed to help jump-start their businesses.
Through VC Direct, Dell and venture capital firms will collaborate to assist their early-stage portfolio companies by addressing the three recurring challenges they typically encounter -- time, talent and total cost of ownership.
"One of the significant challenges facing small businesses is their ability to manage resources for early success," said Frank Muehleman, senior vice president, Dell's home and small business group. "VC Direct helps venture capital firms enable their portfolio companies to focus on their business plan by providing the best in technologies, resources and consulting services."
VC Direct offers a wide range of benefits, including:
-- A new venture leasing option through Dell Venture Leasing, with rapid approval processing that helps freshly funded start-ups acquire hardware and services while preserving their cash;
-- Access to hosting providers, including DellHost, for a fast, reliable Internet presence;
-- A suite of consulting engagements targeted at common challenges facing start-ups in their early stages of growth, such as business scalability/availability services and systems and management, delivered through Dell Technology Consulting;
-- Enhanced customer services, including a dedicated senior Dell account manager as a single point of contact, and personalized Premier Pages services, a suite of convenient online tools that help manage IT assets;
-- Help start-ups build reliable networks by offering Cisco's SmartStart package of products and equipment complemented by support, leasing and discounting from Dell;
-- Special pricing on Dell hardware and services, for additional cost savings.
VC Direct provides a specially tailored option for portfolio companies to finance(a) their computer hardware, with terms designed to reflect their expected growth trajectories. In addition to the expanded services available from Dell Venture Leasing, early-stage companies associated with participating venture capital firms may qualify for a turnkey lease option, with expedited approval processing usually completed in one business day or less. Dell Venture Leasing is underwritten by The CIT Group.
Intel Corporation is working with Dell to provide leading-edge hardware for the start-ups. Dell systems feature Intel(R) Pentium(R) III and Pentium III Xeon(tm) processors.
Dell already is teaming with premier venture capital firms Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Austin Ventures and its own Dell Ventures to provide products and services to their portfolio companies.
"Dell has done its research and put together a strong portfolio of products and services," said Kevin Compton, general partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers. "VC Direct matches up well against the problems facing start-ups, particularly in the area of Internet infrastructure."
"The Dell VC Direct program is a truly innovative solution for venture-backed start-ups looking to achieve substantial acceleration in their business model," said Ed Olkkola, general partner, Austin Ventures. "Dell's leadership in understanding the information technology needs of early-stage companies is clearly represented in this program."
More information about VC Direct can be found at www.dell.com/vcdirect.
About Dell
Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL) is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $28.5 billion for the past four quarters, and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their Internet infrastructures. The company ranks No. 56 on the Fortune 500, No. 154 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 3 on the Fortune "most admired" lists of companies. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.
(a) Business leasing arranged by CIT Venture Leasing Fund LLC, an independent entity wholly owned by The CIT Group Inc., to qualified customers. Subject to credit approval and availability.
Dell is a trademark of Dell Computer Corporation.
Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of The Time Inc. Magazine Company.
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
CONTACT: Dell Computer Corp., Round Rock Media Contacts: Ken Bissell, 512/728-4508 ken_bissell@dell.com or Andy North, 512/723-7278 andy_north@dell.com or Investor Contacts: Lynn Tyson, 512/723-1130 lynn_tyson@dell.com or Rob Williams, 512/728-7570 robert_williams@dell.com
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