IPextreme Named "Cool Vendor" in Semiconductors by Leading Analyst Firm

Vendors selected for the “Cool Vendor report” are innovative, impactful and intriguing

CAMPBELL, California – May 7, 2008 –  IPextreme®, Inc., the company bringing famous IP (intellectual property) to system-on-chip designers worldwide, has been included in the list of “Cool Vendors” in Gartner, Inc.’s April 2008 report entitled “Cool Vendors in Semiconductors, 2008” by analysts Jim Tully, Christian Heidarson, John Barber, Joseph Unsworth, Martin Reynolds, Alfonso Velosa, Jon Erensen, and Steve Ohr.

IPextreme is built upon a business model innovation that involves working with large semiconductor companies to monetize their captive intellectual property (IP) assets. IPextreme works closely with these semiconductor companies to convert the raw unpackaged IP into a commercially licensable package that can be delivered to a broad range of customers. The IP is packaged in a uniform process-independent and EDA-neutral format achieved in part with the aid of the company’s web-based XPack™ technology, which is used not only to package the IP but also to deliver the IP on demand to customers over a secure network connection. The company’s announced semiconductor clients include Infineon Technologies, Freescale Semiconductor, Cypress Semiconductor, National Semiconductor, Motorola, and NXP Semiconductors.

“Gartner believes that the chip companies employing design IP licensing as a part of their business model will be prepared to survive better in a maturing semiconductor industry,” said analyst Christian Heidarson in the report.

In January 2008, IPextreme, opened an online IP core marketplace, Core Store™, with prices posted and transparent to all visitors .  Customers visiting the web store can view available IP cores and pricing without ever having to speak to a salesperson. When ready to purchase, customers follow a few simple steps during checkout to complete a standard license agreement and IP is delivered to their desktops. The Core Store products come fully packaged in an easy-to-use encrypted format with support available as an optional purchase item. The cores are offered at attractive prices made possible by the completeness of the packaging and the frictionless sales process.

“We are delighted to have Gartner evaluate the value of our business model.” said Warren Savage, president and CEO of IPextreme. “IPextreme allows semiconductor companies to strategically leverage their internal IP portfolio and offset internal costs through licensing revenue. For purchasers of the IP, we reduce evaluation time, purchase negotiation time, design time and risk by providing best-in-class, production-proven semiconductor IP.”

About Gartner's Cool Vendors Selection Process

Gartner's listing does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness of a particular purpose.

Gartner defines a cool vendor as a company that offers technologies or solutions that are: Innovative, enable users to do things they couldn't do before; Impactful, have, or will have, business impact (not just technology for the sake of technology); Intriguing, have caught Gartner's interest or curiosity in approximately the past six months.

About IPextreme Inc.

IPextreme licenses famous semiconductor IP (intellectual property) and methodologies developed by large semiconductor companies to chip designers worldwide. These production-proven IP products serve both broad horizontal markets and specific verticals such as consumer and automotive, and are provided in a process-independent and EDA-neutral format for easy use by the widest range of customers. With a decade of experience in developing, packaging, licensing and supporting IP, IPextreme offers a complete business solution that allows semiconductor companies to strategically leverage their internal IP portfolio and expand overall revenue. The company has offices in Campbell, California; Munich, Germany; and Tokyo, Japan with representatives in China, India, Israel, Korea and Taiwan. For additional information, please visit www.ip-extreme.com