Sparus Software raises 4 million euros to become Europe's leading vendor of mobile device management software Paris April 10, 2007

Sparus Software announced today that it has raised €3 million in the second round of its financing campaign, maybe even €4 million depending on possible acquisitions. Crédit Agricole Private Equity is contributing between €1.8 million and €2.3 million, the remainder being taken up by AXA Private Equity, which had taken part in the first round.

The company had already raised €1.1 million in a first capital increase in April 2005, with managers contributing an additional €300,000. The company will devote the new money to consolidating the R&D team in order to strengthen its technological lead and develop its sales and marketing organisation in order to, along with its partners, become Europe's leading vendor of administration and security software for Windows Mobile/CE terminals.

Franck Delorme, chairman of Sparus Software, commented: "AXA Private Equity demonstrated its trust in us during our start-up phase two years ago, an awkward time for any high-tech firm. We are very proud that they are continuing to show their support and that Crédit Agricole Private Equity has joined them as a shareholder. It goes to show once again that our investors fully understand the needs of a young company in its different phases of growth and know how to provide the right kind of support."

Created in 2003, Sparus Software specialises in business mobility software. It has "Young Innovative Enterprise" and "Microsoft Certified Partner" status and is one of the French start-ups selected for Microsoft's IDEES programme to support the leaders of the software industry of the future. Sparus Software offers an all-in-one, plug & play solution, EveryWAN Mobility Manager, which incorporates the most advanced security, communications management and administration features for mobile handheld devices running under Windows Mobile™ and Windows CE™, including real-time remote end-user support.

One of the few vendors to offer this type of product on a fast-growing market, Sparus Software has already convinced major customers like Velux France, M6, ELM-Leblanc and Cegedim. Cegedim, Europe's leading provider of CRM solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, has chosen Sparus Software's EveryWAN solution under an exclusive global agreement for the administration of its fleet of Windows Mobile terminals.

Antoine Colboc, head of Venture Capital activities at Crédit Agricole Private Equity, said: "I was really taken with the management team and thought that Sparus Software's product is well suited to target a market with great growth potential. It is a highly innovative solution which genuinely accelerates the implementation of corporate mobility projects, offering both security and reliability for mobile applications using PDAs and smartphones."

Laurent Foata, Director at AXA Private Equity, commented: "We are very pleased with what Sparus Software has achieved over the last two years, not only in terms of R&D, but also in terms of strategic partnerships and customer references. For a start-up, convincing the first customers and partners is always the hardest step. This second capital increase means that we can support Sparus Software in its European expansion, an essential step if the company is to make a name for itself as an international player on the software market."

About Sparus Software (www.sparus-software.com)

Sparus Software, a French software ISV, designs, develops and markets an innovative software suite which enables enterprises to deploy and manage mobile handheld devices over wireless networks (GPRS/Edge/3G and WiFi) in a cost-effective way, thereby reducing operating expenses. Sparus Software is a certified "Microsoft Mobility Solutions Expert".
EveryWAN Mobility Manager is an all-in-one, plug & play solution which provides the most advanced functionalities for managing Windows Mobile™ and Windows CE™ mobile devices, including over-the-air security and administration, communication management and real-time remote end-user support.

About Crédit Agricole Private Equity (www.ca-privateequity.com)

Crédit Agricole Private Equity is an AMF-accredited asset management subsidiary of Crédit Agricole SA, specialising in private equity investment in non-listed companies across a range of industries. A team of 40 investors operating in several areas (Later-Stage Financing & LBO, Venture Capital, Secondary Market, Mezzanine, Renewable Energies, PPP Infrastructure, liquidity solutions, etc.), manages €1.5 billion through venture and innovation funds. Crédit Agricole Private Equity provides advice and support for business managers implementing growth plans.

About AXA Private Equity

AXA Private Equity, an AXA Investment Managers company, with offices in Paris, Frankfurt, London, Milan, New York and Singapore, is a world leader in private equity investments. It offers its partners a wide selection of funds, all with proven returns, across a full range of asset classes (Buyout, Expansion, Venture Capital, Co-investment, Mezzanine and Primary, Early Secondary and Secondary Funds of Funds.
AXA Private Equity manages and advises private equity funds with assets in excess of €10 billion for some of the world’s leading investors. With a constant focus on transparency, performance and sustainable profitability, AXA Private Equity is distinguished by the expertise of its staff and its international reach.
AXA Private Equity’s Venture capital is investing in companies at all stages of their growth and offering them an active partnership that accelerates growth and returns and is expanding its activity through its offices around the world. Since 1998, over 40 high-tech companies in the information technology and life sciences sectors have put their trust in AXA Private Equity's Venture Capital team.

Transaction contacts :

Crédit Agricole Private Equity :
Antoine Colboc
Tel. +33 (0)1 43 23 96 00
antoine.colboc@ca-privateequity.fr

Sparus Software :
Franck Delorme
Tel. +33 (0)1 53 25 06 45
fdelorme@sparus-software.com

AXA Private Equity :
Laurent Foata
Tel. +33 (0)1 44 45 92 26
laurent.foata@axa-im.com

Press contacts :

Crédit Agricole Private Equity :
Martine Sessin-Caracci
Tel. +33 (0)1 43 23 90 88
martine.sessincaracci@ca-cif.fr

AXA Private Equity :
Jérémie Delecourt
Tel. +33 (0)1 44 45 60 73
jeremie.delecourt@axa-im.com

Sparus Software :
Rumeur Publique
Eric Chauvelot
Tel. +33 (0)1 55 74 52 14
eric@rumeurpublique.fr