iRoC secures $ 5 million in funding to broaden robust I.Ps in commercial products Paris, Monday March 26, 2001

First Round Targets Expansion of Reliability Requirements in IC.

iRoC Technologies, S.A.S., the leading Robust IP provider, today announces it has received $5 million in first round from three Venture Capital companies. The company will use the funds to expand its growing Robust design business for commercial I.Cs and to strengthen its production force.

Funds are received from AXA Private Equity (www.axaprivateequity.com), Banexi Ventures (www.banexiventures.com) and Innovacom (www.innovacom.com), all of them Paris-based Venture Capital groups.
iRoC was founded in 2000, and delivered its first Robust IP in last November.

"iRoC anticipated in 2000 that 'integrated Robustness on Chip' would be a key enabling next generation of I.Cs and SoCs to match reliability requirements from system houses, in terms of transient errors protection. Subsequently, iRoC began a push into commercial I.Cs by providing a fast simulation tool, ROBANä, and a Robust 32-bit RISC Processor” said Eric Dupont, President and CEO. "Especially with the current downturn concerning semiconductor market, we strongly believe that the slump exit will increase the need of Reliable and Robust Systems”.

"iRoC epitomizes what we seek in a company offering strategic technology - a business model built for scalability and rapid growth, a solid management track record, and the company's potential for international expansion”, stated Dominique Senequier, CEO, AXA Private Equity.

"iRoC is uniquely positioned to provide, at the lowest cost, the self-correcting intelligence needed in VDSM," said Philippe Méré, Partner, Banexi Ventures.

“The company’s technologic and production background strengthen their gap facing expected new competitors in Robust Design Market.”

"We're extremely positive about iRoC’s potential to secure a significant share of the Robust IC market," said Denis Barrier, Partner, Innovacom. "The first Robust 32-bit RISC processor shows that iRoC’s design methodology could protect any I.Cs facing transient errors: this potential showstopper is now on the way to be cleared up”.

About Transient Errors

Transient Errors encompasses timing faults, due to crosscoupling or ground bounce, and Soft Errors due to single event upset, affecting signal integrity in I.Cs, and thus systems reliability.

Though these errors are difficult to track and to predict, it is impossible to ignore their impact on next I.Cs generation. Fault Tolerant techniques have been proven in space and critical applications and are now poised for widespread deployment in commodity products, thanks to cost-effective iRoC’s solutions.

About iRoC Technologies

iRoC Technologies is the leading Robust IP Provider, offering design solutions for signalintegrity in leading-edge I.Cs.

iRoC brings self-correcting intelligence to integrated circuits protecting them from external disruptions and internal defections which cause erratic errors.
Additionally, iRoC offers simulation tools, and professional design services to shorten the protection process for existing IP.
European headquarters are located in Grenoble, France.

More information on the company’s products and services can be obtained at www.iroctech.com

About Banexi Ventures Partners

Banexi Ventures Partners is a leading European Venture Capital company. Since 1983, Banexi Ventures has invested over 230 M€ in more than 200 high-tech early stage companies.

Its domain of expertise includes Information technology (Ilog, Masa, Keljob, …), Electronics, Semiconductors and Optics (Highwave Optical, Soitec, Teem Photonics, …), and Life Sciences (Modex, Meristem, Syntem, …).

Web address: www.banexiventures.com

About Innovacom
Innovacom, the France Telecom Venture Capital subsidiary, fosters young companies in the information technology arena. The company has contributed to the creation and expansion of more than 350 companies, among which Highwave, Memscap,Soitec, Netcentrex went to public most recently. Innovacom currently has € 400 million under management.

Web address: www.innovacom.com

Press Contacts

Éric Dupont
CEO
Tel. +33 4 38 12 07 63
eric.dupont@iroctech.com

Audrey Rambaud
Commercial Agent
Tel. +33 4 38 12 07 63
audrey.rambaud@iroctech.com

Dr. Michael Nicolaidis
Technical Director
Tel. +33 6 85 10 02 72
michael.nicolaidis@iroctech.com