April 19, 2001

SMALLTIMES.COM LAUNCHES

ANN ARBOR, MI. April 19, 2001--Providing "Big News in Small Tech," www.smalltimes.com went live today on the World Wide Web. Featuring daily news on the emerging world of MEMS, microsystems and nanotechnologies, the site is the first news product of the Small Times Media Group, led by President Jon Pepper.

Microsystems, often referred to in the U.S. as MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), are super-miniaturized machines, so small that their operation cannot be seen by the naked eye. Already in use in several areas, they have hundreds of potential commercial applications, including wireless and super high-speed communications, medical testing and treatment, and industrial components. Microsystems are expected to revolutionize business and society by making industrial, medical, and consumer products smaller, more efficient, more powerful, less expensive, and easier to produce.

"Our goal is to facilitate a dialogue between the scientists who are creating small technologies and the end users who will ultimately incorporate microsystems into their products," Pepper said. "In order for this commercialization to happen, a lot of learning needs to occur. That is where our site comes in. Our talented editorial team will uncover success stories, report on the latest technologies and help to identify the industry's key players."

Highlights of smalltimes.com include a daily stock ticker of small tech companies, a career area and a complete listing of microsystems events. The editorial team has devoted major areas of the site to some of the most talked-about issues facing the industry as it grows: money, packaging, fabricating, research and education. In addition, the site's navigation includes areas dedicated to the industry's key vertical markets: life sciences, consumer goods, environment, defense, telecommunications and transportation.

Pepper has assembled a first-class, full-time editorial team to cover the small tech industry. They include Steve Crosby, former editor of the Lansing State Journal; Candace Stuart, former Detroit News assistant business editor and Tom Henderson, former reporter and editor for Corporate Detroit magazine. Freelance journalists and news wire services, including Screaming Media and C/net Investor, will also provide content.

SmallTimes.com was built by the Tek Group of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and designed by Steam Advertising and Design of Ann Arbor, Mich.

Advertising and sponsorships will be sold on the site. For information, contact Jim Dozois, SmallTimes vice president of sales and marketing, at 734-994-1106 or jimdozois@smalltimes.com.

The next product from Small Times Media will be a bi-monthly magazine devoted to Small Tech. It will launch with a September-October issue and be distributed to a controlled circulation of 22,000 executives, senior design engineers, governmental officials, industry investors and research and development experts. One of the initial points of distribution for the magazine will be the first Small Times conference and tradeshow, "Small Tech 2001: The Microsystems Advantage," scheduled for September 18-21 in Washington D.C. More information may be found by visiting www.smalltimes.com.