REDMOND, Washington and DUBLIN, Ireland, June 11 /PRNewswire/ --

- Microsoft joins with veteran entrepreneurs, venture investors and Enterprise Ireland to set up new company that will bring a cutting-edge resource to market.

Microsoft Corp joins Zignals, a startup company, in announcing the launch of a beta online service set to transform investing for the active trader. Zignals will provide retail investors with state-of-the-art decision-support tools and access to a financially savvy online network that shares its own independently rated investment strategies. The beta launch of Zignals will focus on personalised services for the investor -- easy-to-use alerts that can be tested, tailored and delivered directly to any e-mail address, personal digital assistant (PDA) or mobile device; intuitive charting; and technical analysis -- all developed using the very latest Microsoft technologies, such as Silverlight.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

Zignals was created through the collaboration of the Microsoft IP Ventures team, Enterprise Ireland, successful entrepreneurs Pat Brazel and Scott Tattersall, Manresa Partners, and angel investors.

"The complete absence of personalised service and access to powerful yet usable decision-support tools is often cited by smaller investors as a key constraint on improving the performance of their investment decisions," said Pat Brazel, CEO of Zignals. "This is where we plan to change the status quo. Zignals responds to this need by democratising trading for the online investor. Microsoft has provided us with the resources and the technology to develop personalised communication services and optimise trading strategies using the yet-to-be-launched Microsoft Solver Foundation technology. The highly intuitive services we are building will open up a whole new world for retail investors who want to maximise the effectiveness of their investment efforts without spending every waking hour peering at screens."

"IP Ventures continues to have success in bringing together entrepreneurs, venture capital and governments to launch new companies, like Zignals, offering exciting technologies, around the world," said Dan'l Lewin, corporate vice president of Strategic and Emerging Business Development at Microsoft. "Microsoft offers entrepreneurs cutting-edge technology and an experienced team to work with to help them bring a new product or service to market. This close collaboration helps ensure long-term success for the new company and its future consumers."

Enterprise Ireland, the enterprise development agency of the Irish government, made the original introduction of Brazel to IP Ventures, which resulted in the establishment of Zignals.

"We are delighted to be supporting the establishment of Zignals in Ireland," said Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland. "We are greatly encouraged by the strong partnership with Microsoft that will bring an exciting innovation to the market while creating new enterprise in Ireland."

Innovative Programme Connects Venture Capitalists and Entrepreneurs With Microsoft Innovation

Microsoft launched the dynamic IP Ventures programme in May 2005 to expedite the commercialisation of new innovations developed through the company's significant research and development investment. The programme is available globally and is frequently updated with new technology offerings. Some companies taking advantage of the IP Ventures opportunities include Skinkers, Wallop Technologies Inc and Zumobi Inc.

About Zignals

Zignals offers a variety of online services that are set to transform the world of financial investment by democratizing the investment services that are available to the active trader in the financial markets and by providing access to a financially-savvy online network which shares its own independently-rated investment strategies. Zignals was established in partnership with Microsoft and other investors, and has developed its services using Microsoft IP-protected technology. The Zignals beta release is available from June 11th.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products and services in more than 139 countries and territories.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any kind of warranty.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com

EMEA Response Centre, emearesponse@waggeneredstrom.com, or Rapid Response Team, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, both of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide for Microsoft Corp; or Daniel Diaz of Metia, +44-(0)20-3100-3729, daniel.diaz@metia.com, for Zignals. NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft in EMEA, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/emea or the EMEA Press Centre at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at the time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact the appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre/contactus.mspx. If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft Corp, please visit the Microsoft web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO, AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org, PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com