Appear Networks is awarded the European Information Society Technology Prize 2003

Appear Networks is awarded the European Information Society Technology Prize 2003, the Award presented to the best of European Innovators of IT

The European IST Evaluation Group selects 20 Prize Winners from 420 Innovative Projects

Stockholm, Sweden – 2 July 2003 - Appear Networks, Franco-Swedish specialist in innovative application platforms for Wi-Fi networks, has just been selected as one of this year’s top 20 Prize Winners by the European Information Society Technology Prize Evaluation Group, a Panel of judges consisting of 16 independent experts nominated by Euro-CASE.

Known as “the most distinguished award for groundbreaking products that represent the best of European innovation in Information Society Technologies ”, the European IST Prize was first awarded in 1995. The number of applications normally averages only 287 per year. This year is, however, exceptional in that Appear Networks is one of 20 Finalists, selected from 420 innovative entries submitted by 28 countries: Sweden, Norway France, Spain, the UK & Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Israel.

Xavier Aubry, Director of International Business Development for Appear Networks said « The huge increase in the number of European technology companies who competed for this acclaimed award this year is extremely impressive. Appear Networks was initially short-listed to one of 70 Nominees before reaching the Finals for its own “Click & Run™” software technology, which enables any communicating mobile device to discover, load and run applications available in a local wireless network in one simple click. ».

The European IST Prize Executive Jury, comprised of well known European personalities in the IST world, will announce the top 3 European IST Grand Prize Winners (selected from the 20 Finalists) at the European IST Prize Awards Ceremony in Milan on 2 October 2003.

The 3 European IST Grand Prize Winners will be presented with the IST Grand Prize Trophy by Erkki Liikanen, the European Commissioner for Enterprise and Information Society, Pasquale Pistorio, Chairman of the European IST Prize Executive Jury, President and CEO of ST Microelectronics and Lucio Stanca, Italian Minister for Innovation and Technologies.

Appear Networks, a Franco-Swedish company specializing in innovative application platforms for Wifi networks,, offers a unique solution to passengers and employees. “Click & Run™” software technology enables any communicating mobile device to discover, load and run applications available locally in one simple click.

Appear Networks’ technology is ideal for semi-mobile workers as well as for visitors to public hotspots such as airports, train and underground stations, conference rooms or hospitals.

Selection criteria for the European IST Prize is technical excellence, innovative content, potential market value and capacity to generate new jobs. Experience over the past 9 years shows that the European IST Prize Award often facilitates the start-up phase and access to finance for the Prize Nominees and Winners. The difficult environment and new challenges that the IST sector is currently facing clearly show that the criteria of innovation and market potential used for the European IST Prize reveal solidity and sustainability. The European IST Prize is the most coveted of prizes, rewarding major achievements in the IST world. The Prize has acquired international recognition, attracts huge interest from investors and awards prize money totalling €700,000. The European IST Prize is organised by Euro-CASE* with the sponsorship and support of the Information Society Programme of the European Commission. i

*Euro-CASE is a European non-profit-making organisation of national Academies of Engineering, Technologies and Applied Sciences from 18 European countries.

Press Contacts

Angela Hepburn
Open2Europe – PR Division
a.hepburn@open2europe.com
+33 (0)1 55 02 14 51

Mia Falgard
Appear Networks
mia.falgard@appearnetworks.com
+46 (0)709 55 93 56

Helle Bonnet
Euro-CASE
Tel: +33 1 53 59 53 40
Appear Networks
E-mail: mail@ist-prize.org