Portfolio Companies

The following are prior or current investments and companies, which the BCZ Team helped, create or build:

America Online, Inc. (Subsequently Merged with Time Warner; NYSE: TWX)
http://www.aol.com/
Vienna, VA

America Online (AOL) is the leading provider of online services to consumers in the United States. The company was originally organized in 1985 as Quantum Computer Services, a successor venture capital investment company to Control Video Corporation. Mr. Batterson played a crucial role in the successful transfer of technology from Control Video and in the startup of Quantum. He was, while at Allstate, one of the four founding investors of Quantum, which he helped "re-engineer" into America Online. As an initial investor in this firm, he was instrumental in recruiting the management team that subsequently built AOL into the number one online service provider in the United States and one of the largest multi-media firms in the world. Allstate's $1.2 million investment in America Online, if held to the market high, would be valued at over $5 billion. Mr. James Kimsey, founder and former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Emeritus of America Online, Inc. is a BCZ Advisory Board Member.

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR)
http://www.altera.com/
San Jose, CA

Altera is the world's pioneer of system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. The company designs, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-density programmable logic devices (PLDs); pre-defined design building blocks, known as intellectual property (IP) cores, and associated development tools. With annual revenues in CY 2004 of $1.02 billion, Altera combines the reprogrammable logic technology originally invented in 1983 with software tools, intellectual property (IP), and design services to provide high-value programmable solutions to approximately 14,000 customers worldwide.

Answer Computer, Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA

Answer was one of the first developers of a fully integrated software application that increased the efficiency and effectiveness of customer support centers and help desk hotlines. Platinum Technology acquired the company in 1995 (and Platinum was subsequently acquired by Computer Associates in 1999).

Beyond.com Corporation
San Jose, CA

Beyond.com was originally founded in 1994 as a traditional online mail-order catalog under the name CyberSource. The company became a leading e-commerce services provider, building and managing online retail sites for third-party businesses, while also selling software and computer related products in the government, corporate and consumer markets. At its inception, the company located its headquarters in a small suite over a barbershop in Menlo Park, CA. In 1997, the Beyond.com was spun-off its Internet operations and created Software.net Corporation for the sole purpose of selling software online. BVP’s investment in Beyond.com returned 20.9x cost within two years and provided an IRR of 357%.

CyberSource Corporation (NASDAQ: CYBS)
http://www.cybersource.com/
Mountain View, CA

CyberSource provides businesses with services and software designed to automate the commerce transaction process in multi-sales channel environments. The Company’s goal is to help maximize sales and increase operating efficiency. The company began developing electronic payment and card-not-present fraud detection technology in 1996, long before the e-commerce industry took off. Today, with a customer list that includes such Fortune 1000 companies Compaq, H&R Block, Home Depot, and Nike, CyberSource is a proven provider of best-in-breed commerce automation solutions backed by exceptional customer support. BCZ co-invested in CyberSource with Paul Allen’s (co-founder of Microsoft Corporation; NASDAQ: MSFT) venture investment group.

Epoch Biosciences (NASDAQ: NGEN)
http://www.epochbio.com/
Bothell (Seattle Area), WA

Epoch is a biotechnology company that focuses on the development of molecular tools for genetic analysis. The company develops compounds and methods that make the analysis of DNA easier and more accurate. The company’s technologies are useful in genetic research, diagnostics, drug development, infectious disease detection, prenatal testing and population screening in order to assess the risk of disease or to predict a drug response. On December 16, 2004 the company merged into Nanogen, Inc.

Health Magazine, Inc.
http://www.health.com/
Birmingham, AL

Health Magazine is America’s most-trusted health and wellness magazine, giving women the most credible, useful, and up-to-date information and inspiration on how to live a healthier, happier life. Its get-real perspective helps readers make sense of conflicting news, trends, and studies. Health covers well-being, fitness, nutrition, and beauty with intelligence and flair, showing that healthy living truly looks good on you. Over the years, the Company has received a number of major awards and recognition from within the publishing industry. It has been one of the most successful magazines in the United States and is perhaps the most successful ever launched by the venture capital industry. Southern Progress Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc, publishes the magazine, which launched in 1987 and has more than 6 million readers. Len Batterson originally sourced the investment through a west coast medical publisher and then introduced the magazine to the venture capital community.

IKOS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MENT)
Wilsonville, OR

IKOS Systems became a leading vendor of high performance, special purpose hardware and software for the simulation of applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs). IKOS products offered a complete simulation solution combining the speed of hardware acceleration and a user-friendly IKOS interface of extensive IKOS software. IKOS was acquired by Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ: MENT) in March 2002.

Illinois Superconductor Corporation (AMEX: ISO)
http://www.iscointl.com/
(ISCO International, Inc.)
Mount Prospect, IL

Illinois Superconductor Corporation was formed in 1989 to develop and commercialize high temperature superconducting components and devices using advanced ceramic and other innovative material processing technologies initially developed at the Argonne National Laboratory. The Company was among the first in the world to offer a commercial high temperature superconducting mobile telephone filter and its customers now include most of the major mobile telephone operators. Dr. Alan Schriesheim, a former BCZ Advisory Board Member, was CEO of Argonne when the Company’s initial technology was commercialized. Len Batterson was a founding investor, original director and a member of the executive committee.

Larimer Bancorporation, Inc.
Fort Collins, CO

BJW and two other venture capital firms formed Larimer Bancorporation in 1991 with the purchase of the First Interstate Bank (FIFC) of Fort Collins, CO. FIFC had $300 million in assets and was a subsidiary of First Interstate Bancorp, a holding company with 67 owned and affiliated banks. The acquisition price was particularly attractive at the time as compared to other Colorado bank acquisitions, following new state legislation permitting interstate banking. The strong bank management continued to improve earnings, permitting the sale of the bank in 1993.

Nanophase Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: NANX)
http://www.nanophase.com/
Romeoville, IL

Nanophase Technologies is an industry-leading nanocrystalline materials innovator and manufacturer with an integrated family of nanomaterial technologies that was originally developed at the Argonne National Laboratory. The company produces engineered nanomaterial products for diverse markets: personal care, sunscreens, abrasion-resistant applications, environmental catalysts, antimicrobial products, and a variety of polishing applications, including semiconductors, hard disk drives, and optics. In parallel, new markets and applications are constantly being developed. The Company markets its products to target markets and customers, including multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies. Nanophase is one of the few public companies creating nanomaterials in commercial quality and quantity. Len Batterson served as Chairman of the Company for more than nine years. Nanophase was one of the first public nanotech companies and Robert Cross was CEO for six years.

Northfield Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLD)
http://www.northfieldlabs.com/
Evanston, IL

Northfield Laboratories Inc. is the leader in developing a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying resuscitative fluid for treatment of urgent, large volume blood loss in trauma and resultant surgical settings. Northfield’s product, PolyHeme®, is a human hemoglobin-based temporary oxygen-carrying red blood cell substitute. PolyHeme® simultaneously restores lost blood volume and hemoglobin levels and is designed for rapid, massive infusion. PolyHeme® requires no cross-matching. It is compatible with all blood types and therefore immediately available for infusion. It has an extended shelf life of over 12 months. PolyHeme® has been rapidly infused in trauma patients during urgent life-threatening blood loss in sufficiently large quantities to be considered well-tolerated in this patient population. Patient enrollment is underway in a landmark Phase III, randomized, controlled open-label, multicenter, parallel group study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PolyHeme® when used to treat severely injured patients in hemorrhagic shock before they reach a hospital. Under the protocol, treatment begins at the scene of the injury, continues during transport and a 12 hour post-injury period in the hospital. Since blood is not presently carried in ambulances, the use of PolyHeme® in this setting has the potential to address a critical, unmet medical need.

Proxim Wireless (NASDAQ: TRBM)
http://www.proxim.com/
San Jose, CA

Proxim Wireless is a global pioneer in scaleable broadband wireless networking systems for enterprises, government and service providers. From Wi-Fi to wireless Gigabit Ethernet - the WLAN, mesh, point-to-multipoint and point-to-point products are available through an extensive global channel network with over 4,000 VARs, backed by world-class support. Proxim systems have enabled enterprise wireless LANs, education networks, municipal networks, public safety communication systems, wireless ISPs, cellular networks and landing systems for military aircraft. As a Principal Member of the WiMAX Forum, Proxim was the first vendor to demonstrate both a base station and a subscriber unit based on Intel's 802.16-2004 chipset. Proxim is ISO-9001 certified. Proxim was created by Jonathan Zakin and Ripplewood Holdings, the New York based leverage buyout firm with the initial buyout of Western Multiplex and then the acquisition of Proxim (who’s name the Company took), and the wireless assets of Agere. During this time Jonathan was Chairman, President and CEO of the Company, which had grown from approximately $50 million to $250 million. He left Proxim after arranging the Agere asset purchase and the Warburg Pincus financing.

Tellabs
http://www.tellabs.com/
Naperville, IL

Tellabs delivers technology that transforms the way the world communicates™. Tellabs experts design, develop, deploy and support wireless and wireline network solutions. The company's comprehensive broadband portfolio enables carriers in almost 100 countries to succeed in the new competitive environment. Tellabs (NASDAQ: TLAB) is part of the NASDAQ-100 Index and the S&P 500. Peter Fuss, BCZ Special Consultant was previously President of Tellabs International, Inc., which he established in 1987 as a subsidiary of Tellabs, Inc. As President of Tellabs International, he had full responsibility for all international marketing, sales, product support, manufacturing, development and finance.

USRobotics
http://www.usr.com/
Schaumburg, IL

USRobotics was one of the first companies to offer high-speed dialup modems for PCs. Founded in classic tech start-up fashion in an Illinois garage in 1976, U.S. Robotics is named after “the greatest company in the known galaxy” – U.S. Robot and Mechanical Men – from the science fiction novel I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. Founders Casey Cowell, Steve Muka, and Paul Collard began work on their first modem designs in that garage and eventually produced the USR310, USR330, and the Phone Link 300 – acoustic couplers that transmitted analog signals at 300 baud, a painfully slow transmit speed. From these entrepreneurial beginnings, the company quickly emerged as the world’s leader in dial-up modem technology and has been at the forefront of that technology for three decades. Today, the U.S. Robotics brand is one of the most recognized product lines in the network access category, as the company is establishing itself as a leader in broadband connectivity. Without losing its focus on the analog modems that made the company a household name, U.S. Robotics is rapidly expanding its category leadership by offering high-speed, broadband modems; wired and wireless networking solutions; and Internet security devices to the growing home, small office/home office, and small- to medium-sized business markets. The company was sold to 3COM for approximately $8 billion. Jonathan Zakin joined the Company when it had sales of $18 million and was one of the Company’s three key principals. Jonathan was initially Executive VP Sales and Marketing and then became Executive VP of Strategy and Business Development where he was responsible for finding and structuring the Company’s acquisition strategy. He identified and led the acquisition team in the purchases of Palm Computing, Megahertz, Scorpio and a number of others, as well as being the lead negotiator on the 3COM transaction.


About BCZ Management Team BCZ Advisory Directors BCZ Special Consultants Portfolio Companies Submit Business Plan Contact Us	Portfolio Companies The following are prior or current investments and companies, which the BCZ Team helped, create or build: America Online, Inc. (Subsequently Merged with Time Warner; NYSE: TWX) http://www.aol.com/ Vienna, VA America Online (AOL) is the leading provider of online services to consumers in the United States. The company was originally organized in 1985 as Quantum Computer Services, a successor venture capital investment company to Control Video Corporation. Mr. Batterson played a crucial role in the successful transfer of technology from Control Video and in the startup of Quantum. He was, while at Allstate, one of the four founding investors of Quantum, which he helped "re-engineer" into America Online. As an initial investor in this firm, he was instrumental in recruiting the management team that subsequently built AOL into the number one online service provider in the United States and one of the largest multi-media firms in the world. Allstate's $1.2 million investment in America Online, if held to the market high, would be valued at over $5 billion. Mr. James Kimsey, founder and former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Emeritus of America Online, Inc. is a BCZ Advisory Board Member. Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) http://www.altera.com/ San Jose, CA Altera is the world's pioneer of system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. The company designs, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-density programmable logic devices (PLDs); pre-defined design building blocks, known as intellectual property (IP) cores, and associated development tools. With annual revenues in CY 2004 of $1.02 billion, Altera combines the reprogrammable logic technology originally invented in 1983 with software tools, intellectual property (IP), and design services to provide high-value programmable solutions to approximately 14,000 customers worldwide. Answer Computer, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA Answer was one of the first developers of a fully integrated software application that increased the efficiency and effectiveness of customer support centers and help desk hotlines. Platinum Technology acquired the company in 1995 (and Platinum was subsequently acquired by Computer Associates in 1999). Beyond.com Corporation San Jose, CA Beyond.com was originally founded in 1994 as a traditional online mail-order catalog under the name CyberSource. The company became a leading e-commerce services provider, building and managing online retail sites for third-party businesses, while also selling software and computer related products in the government, corporate and consumer markets. At its inception, the company located its headquarters in a small suite over a barbershop in Menlo Park, CA. In 1997, the Beyond.com was spun-off its Internet operations and created Software.net Corporation for the sole purpose of selling software online. BVP’s investment in Beyond.com returned 20.9x cost within two years and provided an IRR of 357%. CyberSource Corporation (NASDAQ: CYBS) http://www.cybersource.com/ Mountain View, CA CyberSource provides businesses with services and software designed to automate the commerce transaction process in multi-sales channel environments. The Company’s goal is to help maximize sales and increase operating efficiency. The company began developing electronic payment and card-not-present fraud detection technology in 1996, long before the e-commerce industry took off. Today, with a customer list that includes such Fortune 1000 companies Compaq, H&R Block, Home Depot, and Nike, CyberSource is a proven provider of best-in-breed commerce automation solutions backed by exceptional customer support. BCZ co-invested in CyberSource with Paul Allen’s (co-founder of Microsoft Corporation; NASDAQ: MSFT) venture investment group. Epoch Biosciences (NASDAQ: NGEN) http://www.epochbio.com/ Bothell (Seattle Area), WA Epoch is a biotechnology company that focuses on the development of molecular tools for genetic analysis. The company develops compounds and methods that make the analysis of DNA easier and more accurate. The company’s technologies are useful in genetic research, diagnostics, drug development, infectious disease detection, prenatal testing and population screening in order to assess the risk of disease or to predict a drug response. On December 16, 2004 the company merged into Nanogen, Inc. Health Magazine, Inc. http://www.health.com/ Birmingham, AL Health Magazine is America’s most-trusted health and wellness magazine, giving women the most credible, useful, and up-to-date information and inspiration on how to live a healthier, happier life. Its get-real perspective helps readers make sense of conflicting news, trends, and studies. Health covers well-being, fitness, nutrition, and beauty with intelligence and flair, showing that healthy living truly looks good on you. Over the years, the Company has received a number of major awards and recognition from within the publishing industry. It has been one of the most successful magazines in the United States and is perhaps the most successful ever launched by the venture capital industry. Southern Progress Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc, publishes the magazine, which launched in 1987 and has more than 6 million readers. Len Batterson originally sourced the investment through a west coast medical publisher and then introduced the magazine to the venture capital community. IKOS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MENT) Wilsonville, OR IKOS Systems became a leading vendor of high performance, special purpose hardware and software for the simulation of applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs). IKOS products offered a complete simulation solution combining the speed of hardware acceleration and a user-friendly IKOS interface of extensive IKOS software. IKOS was acquired by Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ: MENT) in March 2002. Illinois Superconductor Corporation (AMEX: ISO) http://www.iscointl.com/ (ISCO International, Inc.) Mount Prospect, IL Illinois Superconductor Corporation was formed in 1989 to develop and commercialize high temperature superconducting components and devices using advanced ceramic and other innovative material processing technologies initially developed at the Argonne National Laboratory. The Company was among the first in the world to offer a commercial high temperature superconducting mobile telephone filter and its customers now include most of the major mobile telephone operators. Dr. Alan Schriesheim, a former BCZ Advisory Board Member, was CEO of Argonne when the Company’s initial technology was commercialized. Len Batterson was a founding investor, original director and a member of the executive committee. Larimer Bancorporation, Inc. Fort Collins, CO BJW and two other venture capital firms formed Larimer Bancorporation in 1991 with the purchase of the First Interstate Bank (FIFC) of Fort Collins, CO. FIFC had $300 million in assets and was a subsidiary of First Interstate Bancorp, a holding company with 67 owned and affiliated banks. The acquisition price was particularly attractive at the time as compared to other Colorado bank acquisitions, following new state legislation permitting interstate banking. The strong bank management continued to improve earnings, permitting the sale of the bank in 1993. Nanophase Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: NANX) http://www.nanophase.com/ Romeoville, IL Nanophase Technologies is an industry-leading nanocrystalline materials innovator and manufacturer with an integrated family of nanomaterial technologies that was originally developed at the Argonne National Laboratory. The company produces engineered nanomaterial products for diverse markets: personal care, sunscreens, abrasion-resistant applications, environmental catalysts, antimicrobial products, and a variety of polishing applications, including semiconductors, hard disk drives, and optics. In parallel, new markets and applications are constantly being developed. The Company markets its products to target markets and customers, including multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies. Nanophase is one of the few public companies creating nanomaterials in commercial quality and quantity. Len Batterson served as Chairman of the Company for more than nine years. Nanophase was one of the first public nanotech companies and Robert Cross was CEO for six years. Northfield Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLD) http://www.northfieldlabs.com/ Evanston, IL Northfield Laboratories Inc. is the leader in developing a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying resuscitative fluid for treatment of urgent, large volume blood loss in trauma and resultant surgical settings. Northfield’s product, PolyHeme®, is a human hemoglobin-based temporary oxygen-carrying red blood cell substitute. PolyHeme® simultaneously restores lost blood volume and hemoglobin levels and is designed for rapid, massive infusion. PolyHeme® requires no cross-matching. It is compatible with all blood types and therefore immediately available for infusion. It has an extended shelf life of over 12 months. PolyHeme® has been rapidly infused in trauma patients during urgent life-threatening blood loss in sufficiently large quantities to be considered well-tolerated in this patient population. Patient enrollment is underway in a landmark Phase III, randomized, controlled open-label, multicenter, parallel group study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PolyHeme® when used to treat severely injured patients in hemorrhagic shock before they reach a hospital. Under the protocol, treatment begins at the scene of the injury, continues during transport and a 12 hour post-injury period in the hospital. Since blood is not presently carried in ambulances, the use of PolyHeme® in this setting has the potential to address a critical, unmet medical need. Proxim Wireless (NASDAQ: TRBM) http://www.proxim.com/ San Jose, CA Proxim Wireless is a global pioneer in scaleable broadband wireless networking systems for enterprises, government and service providers. From Wi-Fi to wireless Gigabit Ethernet - the WLAN, mesh, point-to-multipoint and point-to-point products are available through an extensive global channel network with over 4,000 VARs, backed by world-class support. Proxim systems have enabled enterprise wireless LANs, education networks, municipal networks, public safety communication systems, wireless ISPs, cellular networks and landing systems for military aircraft. As a Principal Member of the WiMAX Forum, Proxim was the first vendor to demonstrate both a base station and a subscriber unit based on Intel's 802.16-2004 chipset. Proxim is ISO-9001 certified. Proxim was created by Jonathan Zakin and Ripplewood Holdings, the New York based leverage buyout firm with the initial buyout of Western Multiplex and then the acquisition of Proxim (who’s name the Company took), and the wireless assets of Agere. During this time Jonathan was Chairman, President and CEO of the Company, which had grown from approximately $50 million to $250 million. He left Proxim after arranging the Agere asset purchase and the Warburg Pincus financing. Tellabs http://www.tellabs.com/ Naperville, IL Tellabs delivers technology that transforms the way the world communicates™. Tellabs experts design, develop, deploy and support wireless and wireline network solutions. The company's comprehensive broadband portfolio enables carriers in almost 100 countries to succeed in the new competitive environment. Tellabs (NASDAQ: TLAB) is part of the NASDAQ-100 Index and the S&P 500. Peter Fuss, BCZ Special Consultant was previously President of Tellabs International, Inc., which he established in 1987 as a subsidiary of Tellabs, Inc. As President of Tellabs International, he had full responsibility for all international marketing, sales, product support, manufacturing, development and finance. USRobotics http://www.usr.com/ Schaumburg, IL USRobotics was one of the first companies to offer high-speed dialup modems for PCs. Founded in classic tech start-up fashion in an Illinois garage in 1976, U.S. Robotics is named after “the greatest company in the known galaxy” – U.S. Robot and Mechanical Men – from the science fiction novel I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. Founders Casey Cowell, Steve Muka, and Paul Collard began work on their first modem designs in that garage and eventually produced the USR310, USR330, and the Phone Link 300 – acoustic couplers that transmitted analog signals at 300 baud, a painfully slow transmit speed. From these entrepreneurial beginnings, the company quickly emerged as the world’s leader in dial-up modem technology and has been at the forefront of that technology for three decades. Today, the U.S. Robotics brand is one of the most recognized product lines in the network access category, as the company is establishing itself as a leader in broadband connectivity. Without losing its focus on the analog modems that made the company a household name, U.S. Robotics is rapidly expanding its category leadership by offering high-speed, broadband modems; wired and wireless networking solutions; and Internet security devices to the growing home, small office/home office, and small- to medium-sized business markets. The company was sold to 3COM for approximately $8 billion. Jonathan Zakin joined the Company when it had sales of $18 million and was one of the Company’s three key principals. Jonathan was initially Executive VP Sales and Marketing and then became Executive VP of Strategy and Business Development where he was responsible for finding and structuring the Company’s acquisition strategy. He identified and led the acquisition team in the purchases of Palm Computing, Megahertz, Scorpio and a number of others, as well as being the lead negotiator on the 3COM transaction.