Skinkers strikes equity for technology deal with Microsoft

Skinkers, a leader in direct-to-desktop technology that radically improves communication, today announced the acquisition of collaborative agent technology developed by Microsoft Research Cambridge.

06 June 2006

As part of the agreement Microsoft will take a minority stake in Skinkers – the first time the company has done this with a European business. In addition Andrew Herbert, Managing Director of Microsoft Research, Cambridge, will become a member of Skinkers’ board.

Over the next year, Skinkers will co-develop software with Microsoft that will benefit both companies and result in a final product that Skinkers will take to market. Microsoft plans to incorporate part of the final technology into its product line.

The technology Skinkers has acquired will allow it to develop its current offerings and create new solutions for real-time event notification and high-bandwidth content delivery.

Matteo Berlucchi, CEO of Skinkers, commented, "We are delighted to have signed this deal with Microsoft, which is unique in Europe. This is an exciting opportunity for us to co-develop the next generation of software to help both business and consumers enjoy film, video, news and information delivered in real time to their desktops.”

Microsoft is very committed to the relationship. Jean-Philippe Courtois, President, Microsoft International commented, “This agreement is more than a transfer of technology, it is the beginning of new business relationships with Skinkers that will yield new innovations for the European and global market”.

The Microsoft announcement follows Skinkers securing £2 million investment from venture capital investor, NewMediaSPARK. This new capital represents the first institutional funding for Skinkers since its inception in 2002. The company is using the new funds to promote its existing products and services, develop new solutions and increase its international sales capabilities.

About Livestation

Livestation is a software platform designed to distribute high quality live television and radio to mass audiences at dramatically reduced costs. It is based on peer-to-peer technology co-developed by Skinkers and Microsoft Research, who have entered into a pioneering technology for equity collaboration. Microsoft acquired a minority equity stake in Skinkers in exchange for full use of the Microsoft peer-to-peer intellectual property.

www.skinkers.com