Investment Forum awards presented
At the Investment Forum, which took place as part of IST2000 in Nice, prizes were awarded to three companies for the best elevator pitch, best presentation and best business proposition. The investment forum was promoted by the European Commission's Information society technologies programme, and allowed 50 companies to present their business and investment propositions to 400 international investors, analysts, corporations, advisors and media representatives. The prize for best elevator pitch was awarded to Compaer AG. This German company will offer special insurance products and services to businesses, including targeted private lines for employees and tailor-made products to suit particular business environments. Compaer AG was seeking investment to fund the development of IT and infrastructure. Pharma Point received the award for best presentation. Pharma Point, founded in Sweden in 1999, is using new technology to tackle the problem of the lack of up-to-date pharmaceutical information and hand written prescriptions. The company took part in the Forum in order to attract financing to be used for international expansion and the establishment of nine subsidiaries within two years. The award for best business proposition was awarded to the German company Interactive Objects Software. The company, set up in 1991, has established itself in the field of IT-architecture and delivers EAI and distributed Internet systems. This year they introduced a unique tool suite for IT-architects, which leverages modern Internet and component application servers and has already won worldwide awards, numerous customers and respected partners in the USA. The company took part in the Forum in the hope of finding a synergetic partner to help move their product into the global market place and further increase the company's lead in the market. The next European Investment Forum will be held in Milan, Italy, on 25 to 27 April 2001.