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To: Larry S. who wrote (24207)	9/8/2000 8:19:14 AM
From: Susan Saline	Respond to of 53068

Thu Sep 7 VNTR [external] Ariba, i2 on the outs? SAP, Commerce One engaged? - at UpsideToday And then there's Ventro While we're on the subject of merger rumors, let's end with a whopper and chat about Ventro (VNTR). The somewhat beleaguered operator of six online marketplaces canceled a scheduled presentation at the Robbie Stephens show. It also pushed back an analyst briefing, scheduled for next week, until later this fall. Ventro officials say nothing is amiss -- the cancellations were coincidental -- but that is not going to stop me from believing Ventro CEO Dave Perry has something cooking. Hell, why not make a prediction (or a suggestion): Ventro is going to merge with VerticalNet (VERT). Here's my reasoning: VerticalNet, for all its blather about being the baddest b-to-b boy on the block, doesn't have much in the way of commerce. Yes, the company operates 57 vertical marketplaces, but most of those are populated with supplier storefronts that are not much more than static advertising and community placeholders. Ventro, on the other hand, knows how to actually conduct b-to-b e-commerce. It's marketplaces, especially Chemdex, actually bring buyers and sellers together to conduct real business. That's what VerticalNet needs. Blair LaCorte, VerticalNet's chief strategy officer, said during his Robbie Stephens talk that the company was "getting serious" about its b-to-b strategy, and is especially keen in pumping up its e-commerce capabilities. What would Ventro get out of a merger? The company is struggling a bit these days, especially when it comes to getting enough buyers and sellers signed up to its marketplace -- an area where VerticalNet could help. And Ventro has told the Street that it will run 10 marketplaces by the end of the year, a goal few think it can attain. A merger with VerticalNet gives it access to more vertical industry markets, immediately, than it could ever do solo. Do the financials pencil out? I'll leave that to someone with more number-crunching expertise than I have, but I did run the idea by one analyst I respect, and he agreed with my thinking. I guess time will tell, but if I'm right, I may just open a b-to-b dating service. rd.yahoo.com*http://www.upside.com/Opinion/39b7e67e0_yahoo.html