CONTACT:
Bozell Kamstra Public Relations
Scott Henry/Marlin Collingwood
(voice) 412-402-0200
Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse
Dennis Yablonsky
(voice) 412-201-3425
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOV. RIDGE ANNOUNCES THREE PA HIGH-TECH FIRMS TO JOIN PITTSBURGH DIGITAL GREENHOUSE
PA start-ups join Sony, Oki and Cadence and world-class PA universities to develop system-on-a-chip technology
Gov. Ridge: "Stay tuned -- more Greenhouse partners soon to join."
PITTSBURGH, PA (October 15, 1999) -- Gov. Tom Ridge today announced that three dynamic Pennsylvania start-ups have joined the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse -- a unique partnership that already has brought together three major international corporations, three leading Pennsylvania universities, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Commonwealth to make Southwestern Pennsylvania a worldwide leader in the development of next-generation system-on-a-chip (SOC) technology.
The three high-tech firms will join as Associate Members -- a new program launched by the Digital Greenhouse designed to target the small to medium-sized electronic design firms in Pennsylvania.
"With Sony, Oki and Cadence, the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse started with an outstanding roster of leading electronic firms," Gov. Ridge said. "Today the Greenhouse grows even stronger with the addition of some 'home-grown' talent -- small start-ups with roots in Pennsylvania. We're creating the perfect mix of worldwide and local talent necessary to make the Greenhouse a success.
"And stay tuned. You can expect more exciting announcements about additional Greenhouse partners in the coming weeks."
The three Pennsylvania companies, Neo Linear Inc. of Pittsburgh; Videon-Central Inc. of State College; and Sima Products Corporation of Oakmont, Allegheny County all have signed letters of intent to be a part of the Associate Membership Program. As part of their membership, they will assign a senior technical representative to attend Technology Advisory Board meetings held by the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse.
"This is another example of our continued commitment to position Pennsylvania as a leader among states within the digital video and digital networking industries," said Dennis Yablonsky, president and CEO of Digital Greenhouse. "With the creation of this program, we can use the expertise of these small companies to help us coordinate the goals of the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse, while assisting them with software and funding for projects in the areas of digital video and digital networking."
In return, companies will receive preferred access to SOC training modules developed by the Digital Greenhouse, the ability to submit proposal ideas for funding, a close working relationship with partners already committed to the initiative and access to electronic design software.
Neo Linear, Inc. develops and markets software tools for the design of mixed-signal integrated circuits. Neo Linear's NeoCell is the world's first automated layout tool for mixed-signal IC analog cells. Neo Linear was founded in 1996 by Charles Buenzli, an experienced executive in the electronic automation design industry, and by Dr. Rob Rutenbar and Dr. L. Richard Carley, two leading researchers in mixed-signal design automation at Carnegie Mellon University.
Videon-Central Inc. is a leading provider of digital video hardware and software designs for the computer and consumer industry. Videon has been able to develop a wide range of strategic partnerships with leading integrated circuit companies. Over the past two years, Videon has designed products for applications that incorporate MPEG-2 encoding and decoding, DVD, DV and HDTV technology.
Sima Products Corporation is one of today's leading innovators of consumer electronic accessories. Now in its 25th year, nearly a hundred Sima products are sold in more than 20 countries worldwide. The Sima name currently appears on dozens of video products from basic audio mixers to digital special-effects editors, character generators along with home theater and digital photo accessories.
Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse is a non-profit organization whose members include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a consortium of member firms, including Sony Corporation, Oki Electric Industry and Cadence Design Systems, along with the participation of Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
The Digital Greenhouse's programs aim to establish a leading industry presence in southwestern Pennsylvania focused initially on target market segments growing around digital video and digital networking applications. For more information visit www.digitalgreenhouse.com or call Dennis Yablonsky at (voice) 412-201-3425.
