Richmond, Surrey. 24 November, 2005. Pond Venture Partners, one of Europe's leading early-stage technology venture capitalists, today announced that Jamie Urquhart, ex-COO of ARM Holdings, has joined as a Venture Partner. Urquhart's experience of taking ARM from start-up to IPO makes him a valuable addition to the Pond Ventures team. Urquhart quoted a 'vibrant technology environment' as well as his own interest in helping young technology companies through their growth stage, as the key reasons behind his move to join a VC.

Urquhart is a man with a passion for technology who enjoys advising embryonic start-ups on how to develop their businesses into global ones. As a board member at picoChip, he found himself working alongside members of Pond Venture Partners, lead investor in the company, admiring their practical approach and open style. This close association led to Urquhart being invited to join Pond Ventures' advisory board in 2001 and now, with the launch of the POND III fund, becoming a Venture Partner.

"I wasn't looking to work with a venture capitalist at all," said Urquhart, "but I do enjoy working with the entrepreneurs that are driving young companies. I think there are some interesting opportunities around and there seems to be a buzz in the industry. At ARM I really enjoyed the growth phase and I am looking forward an opportunity to be part of it again. I have seen a billion dollar company created and would like to see it happen to others.

"As a VC I want people to know that Pond is there for seed and early stage technologies and is about encouraging real value creation. We want to work with people who have high ambition and are passionate about creating success. We want people to come forward with transforming ideas that can create impact on a world stage and to be able to benefit from our teams' substantial collective experience of implementing commercialising technology in global markets."

"Jamie Urquhart is an important addition to the Pond Ventures team and his passion for the business is something we all share," commented Richard Irving, managing partner. "Jamie is one of the few people in Europe who has genuinely helped build a billion dollar company. He has run engineering, sales and marketing on an international basis and is an expert in the area of licensing. As the Chief Operating Officer of a well-respected company who has been through an IPO on London and NASDAQ, and a period running ARM's world-wide sales, his advice comes from a strong knowledge base."

Urquhart is currently working closely with other members of Pond in the due-diligence process with a number of start-ups across Europe. He remains an independent board member at picoChip, a Pond Venture Partners portfolio company. He also represents Pond on the Imperas board.

About Jamie Urquhart
Jamie Urquhart is highly experienced in global technology licensing businesses. Currently a board member at picoChip, he was with ARM Holdings plc, from its inception in November 1990 until November 2002. During that time he undertook a number of roles, including VP Sales and Marketing, Chief Operating and Chief Strategy Officer. Before that he was with Acorn Computers Limited, joining in 1984 as a VLSI Design Engineer, becoming VLSI Design Manager of the VLSI Design Group. He holds a BSc from Bath University in Physical Electronics. Urquhart is also a non-executive director of nCipher, Antenova, and SplashPower.

High-resolution jpeg of Jamie Urquhart is available http://www.eml.com/images/pem4456.jpg

About Pond Venture Partners
Pond Ventures is Europe's largest early-stage technology venture capital fund, leading seed and A round investments including silicon, software, hardware, wireless, materials, systems, and the intersection of these areas with energy. Pond works closely with entrepreneurs to build European technology into global companies, making introductions to global customers, building the team, and bringing in quality co-investors. Pond operates as a cohesive team based in London and Silicon Valley with strong connections in Asia. Partners have technology, operating and entrepreneurial backgrounds. Pond was founded in 1997 and has over $200 million under management. Pond is regulated by the FSA.