NineSigma Expands and Accelerates System for Technology-to-Market Collaborations

“Innovation Alliance Program” rewards members who help make connections

CLEVELAND, OH – June 15, 2006 – NineSigma, a leader in helping large R&D-focused companies connect with innovators and bring new technologies to market, today announced the introduction of a formal reward-based global network-expanding program. Called the Innovation Alliance Program, the program uses the powerful techniques of viral marketing, in which strong relationships are key. But the Alliance adds a new element that strengthens and expands the network-connecting process—now Alliance members whose introductions result in successful connections will be compensated with commission scaled to the size of the project.

With the expanded reach possible with this new program, the chances of clients making solid, workable connections rise exponentially. “The more participants in the network, the higher the chances that fruitful collaboration will result,” said Charles Brez, NineSigma’s Vice President of Innovation Alliances. “Successful connections are what this is all about—and rewarding our Alliance members for their participation.”

Clients such as Air Products, DuPont, Procter & Gamble and Unilever appreciate NineSigma’s network approach to locating, connecting, and facilitating partnerships for bringing innovative new technologies to market. “Even though we have established extensive networks on our own, NineSigma has identified companies, individuals and technologies that we have not been aware of previously,” said Robert Gruetzmacher, Director in DuPont’s Center for Collaborative Research. “We have already received creative proposals from around the globe including interesting locations like Australia, India, Argentina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Poland, UK and other locations.”

NineSigma is targeting two kinds of ‘nodes’ for its Alliance network. The first type is those well-connected individuals who can get a client’s message out to their relevant contacts. One of the well-connected individuals who has joined the Alliance is Karl Massholder, Director and Founder, UltraKat Plasmatechnik GmbH of Heidelberg, Germany. “NineSigma enabled us, as a solution provider, to conclude several deals with major corporations in the USA and Japan that we would never have had a chance to engineer if we were operating on our own,” said Dr. Massholder. By joining the Alliance we gain additional incentive to invite all our connections to leverage their technology and find what’s needed.”

“The second type of node we are looking for,” said Mr. Brez, “is what we call supernodes—large organizations that control or influence major segments of technology transfer markets.” One of the newest supernode members is NEOS, the only private technology transfer firm in Chile, South America. Represented in its current portfolio are universities, small- to medium-sized enterprises, and private inventors across Latin America. “Our relationship with NineSigma is an ideal match of their publicizing market needs with our knowledge of available technology,” said Mr. Allan Jarry, Executive Director of NEOS, Santiago, Chile. “We are delighted to join the Alliance and further promote the success of all parties.”

“We build bridges between innovators and our clients,” said Mr. Brez. “The Innovation Alliance Program reach-and-reward approach is a critical part of NineSigma’s strategy. Over the next 18 months we expect to dramatically increase the number of bridges we build for our clients to find and connect with qualified providers.”

Technology innovators, solution providers and others interested in learning more about the Innovation Alliance Program can visit http://www.ninesigma.com/affiliate or call NineSigma at 216-295-4800.

About NineSigma
NineSigma facilitates open innovation strategies for Fortune 500 companies seeking to acquire technical innovations developed outside their organization. NineSigma’s clients span a variety of industries including automotive, biomedical, chemical, consumer products, electronics, food, materials, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications among others. Through its proprietary Managed Exchange (M:XTM) process, NineSigma matches technology seekers with unobvious or disruptive innovations that enable companies to drive top-line growth. For more information, visit www.ninesigma.com.