Atle acquires 10% of Addsystems AB

Atle acquires 10% of Addsystems AB * Atle Ventures is acquiring 10% of software developer Addsystems, a transaction effected through a private placement totalling SEK 5 m. * Addsystems develops and markets a www-based total solution for operational development focusing on the environment, QA and working environments. * Addsystems' product will be launched on 17 January. The capital injection, totalling some SEK 8 m, will be used mainly for a broad-based market launch and the sustained accumulation of sales and support organisational resources. Addsystems develops and markets a www-based total solution for operational development focusing on the environment, QA and working environments. Addsystems' primary market comprises corporations and non-profit organisations in Sweden, the rest of Scandinavia, the UK and Germany, which are pursuing systematic change initiatives in the environmental, QA and working environment spheres. Using Addsystems' product, customers can slash the costs and time necessary to secure ISO certification as avidence of a quality-assured management system. This market is growing by 25% annually. Stockholm-based Addsystems was incorporated in February 2000 by Fredrik Sundström and Stefan Nyberg, former environmental consultants. Magnus Ramström, Atle Ventures Investment Manager, said: "Addsystems is a good fit with Atle Ventures' investment focus. The enterprise offers a very promising product targeted at an international market in brisk growth. Addsystems' product meets a need corporations and non-profit organisations have in a sphere where, at present, IT support is often inadequate and ineffective." Fredrik Sundström, Addsystems CEO, also commented: "With Atle as our partner, Addsystems will be able to benefit from its many-sided experience of developing high-growth ventures. Atle's resolute commitment to Addsystems, combined with stability and a broad-based international network, will comprise vital support on our way to European market leadership." Stockholm, Sweden 15 January 2001 Atle AB (publ) For more information, please contact: Magnus Ramström, Atle Ventures' Investment Manager, tel.: +46 (0)8 506 10166. Fredrik Sundström, Chief Executive of Addsystems , tel.: +46 (0)8 783 3303. www.atle.se www.addsystems.com Atle- key facts Atle is a growth company that intends to be 2-3 times its current size in 5 years' time. Atle is a private equity player, investing in unlisted companies, participating actively in their development, and after a few years, finding them a suitable new home, thereby realising value growth. Since 1993, the Atle group's earnings have risen progressively, from SEK 373 m to SEK 1,025 m in 1999. Atle maintains a brisk transaction tempo, acquiring over 20 enterprises across all sectors each year. Since inception in 1992, Atle has invested in approximately 200 businesses and exited from over 100. Its annual return from these exits has been nearly 50%. Atle is quoted on the Stockholm Stock Exchange's A List and has approximately 17,000 shareholders. Atle Ventures- key facts Atle Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atle Företagskapital, one of the investment corporations that comprise the Atle group. Atle Ventures invests in IT and other technology start-ups, making maximum initial investments in each specific venture of SEK 5 m. Atle Ventures currently has six investments in enterprises in early developmental phases. Atle AB, which will own these investments entirely, intends to invest a further SEK 200 m in some 20 growth enterprises over 3-4 years. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/15/20010115BIT00380/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/15/20010115BIT00380/bit0002.pdf