Optical networking start-up Mintera raises $26M in first round financing
Developing Ultra High Capacity Optical Transport

Lowell, Massachusetts, December 11, 2000 – Optical networking start-up Mintera Corporation today announced that the company has closed its first round of financing in the amount of $26 million. Investors in this round include leading optical networking venture capital firms in Europe and the US - Portview Communications Partners, Star Ventures and Court Square Optical, an affiliate of Court Square Ventures. Sycamore Networks, Inc. also participated in the round.

Initially, Mintera plans to focus on creating intelligent photonic transport solutions that will enable system providers to build carrier-class optical networking equipment operating at speeds of 40 gigabits per second. Mintera’s objective is to enable system vendors to rapidly commercialize the benefits of new optical technology into state-of-the-art systems for deployment in next generation optical networks.

"The optical market is rapidly evolving as new technologies are developed and old barriers are broken down almost on a daily basis" said Jim Murray, Managing Partner of Court Square Ventures. "Mintera is well positioned on one of the industries' most crucial and exciting development horizons and we look forward to watching them grow into a leader in this market."

"We believe that 40 Gigabit is the next frontier in allowing service providers to meet the growing need for additional bandwidth. We have a great deal of confidence in Mintera's ability to deliver high performance, intelligent solutions that address this exciting market opportunity," stated Robin Hacke, Managing Director of Portview Communications Partners.

Mintera has quickly assembled an exceptional team with diverse and highly specialized skills. The founding team of twenty members includes Menachem Abraham, President and CEO, Dr. Benny Mikkelsen - Vice President of Optical R&D, Dr. Pavel Mamyshev - Vice President of Optical Transmission. Mikkelsen and Mamyshev are world-renowned experts in ultra high-speed optical communications. Abraham is a proven technologist and entrepreneur who was on the leadership teams of two highly successful networking start-ups prior to Mintera.
"With over 100 combined years of world class experience in developing both innovative technology and market leading companies, the Mintera team has the optical engineering talent and management expertise to become a major player in this emerging market sector" said Dr. Meir Barel, Munich Germany based Star Ventures’ Managing General Partner. "We are looking forward to supporting Mintera as they continue to build the team and technology".

"I am very pleased to have the global support of leading venture capital firms in optical networking and Sycamore Networks, Inc.," said Menachem Abraham. "Our team is experienced in developing products that meet the demanding requirements of next generation networking environments and we are eager to apply our skills to dramatically improve the performance of optical networks."

About Mintera
As the technology leader in 40G transport solutions for metro-core, regional, long haul and ultra long haul optical networks, Mintera is creating a new wave in network economics.
Mintera's flexible multi-service 40G product-set, protected by multiple pending patents, allows service providers to seamlessly upgrade their existing infrastructure to 40G while radically decreasing initial deployment capital expenses and lifetime operational costs. Mintera opened its doors in October 2000 and raised $26,000,000 in its first round of equity financing in December 2000. Venture capital firms Court Square Ventures, Star Ventures, Portview Communications Partners are lead investors in the company.

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