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[orange1] 03/4/2008 11:51

Samsung monitor with DisplayLink technology named 'Product of the year' by Cambridge Computer Lab Ring

The Samsung SyncMaster 940UX monitor incorporating DisplayLink's USB graphics technology has been named Product of the Year at the Cambridge Computer Lab Ring Hall of Fame Awards 2008. DisplayLink received the award at the Ring's annual dinner held in Cambridge on March 31st.

The Cambridge Computer Lab Ring is the graduate association of the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory. Its awards recognise the success of companies founded by its members. In total, more than 140 companies are registered with the Ring.

This year, DisplayLink eclipsed the competition from such shortlisted companies as Datanomic, Trampoline Systems and Zeus Technology to win the Product of the Year category. The award was judged by the members of the Cambridge Computer Lab Ring Governing Council, and recognises products that are world class in their field.

The judging panel noted that Samsung's UbiSync branded DisplayLink technology enables mainstream computer users to add up to six additional monitors to almost any PC or laptop via a standard USB 2.0 connection, and has vast potential especially with regards to popularising the use of modular displays to average users. In addition to substantially improving users' productivity, DisplayLink's technology substantially reduces the workload of corporate IT managers for adding additional monitors.

"Cambridge is home to some of the most innovative technology companies in the UK, and all members of the Ring are leaders in their own fields," said Hamid Farzaneh, president and CEO of DisplayLink. "We are proud and honoured that our peers at the Council have seen DisplayLink's potential and the ground-breaking qualities of our technology."

DisplayLink is the first company to bring the full benefits of multiple monitors to a whole range of business, with high performance technology that uses standard network interfaces to make multi-screen computing simple to use, highly interactive and low cost. DisplayLink's products enable a single PC to support up to six monitors through a simple USB connection, while maintaining low latency and high-quality images – factors that have traditionally hindered the uptake of such technology. In addition to its partnership with Samsung, the company also has partnerships with top tier-one technology brands, including Samsung, LG, ASUS, Sony, and Toshiba.

[hvs] 02/4/2008 19:19

Keep the faith.

I have invested heavily here as well.

I believe there is value. Lets see what the review says.

[tiltonboy] 02/4/2008 19:17

In the current climate I would like to see the trust come out of it's strategic review by saying that it will go into a phased wind down. It will not make any new investments, bar those that are committed to existing investee companies, and that all remaining cash resources are used to buy back shares in the market.

I would hate to see the likes of Kiadis and Displaylink(amongst others) being sold off on the cheap, and given the length of time I have been invested here, i can wait a bit longer.

This stock has been a huge embarrassment to me as I have had it as a key holding in client portfolio's and championed and supported it all along.

Have I misread the portfolio that badly, or have I put too much faith in the management and advisors who I thought would know what they were doing?

tiltonboy

[hvs] 02/4/2008 19:05

Keep up the good work Riv

[rivaldo] 01/4/2008 22:21

Er, isn't 3i's move a good thing for PDT since most of PDT's portfolio is in later stage investments - i.e there won't be so much compettiion from new or earlier stage entrants? That's especially the case as many of PDT's investees have successfully raised money in the last year or two.

Of course the markets are currently terrible for IPOs etc, but there have been a number of VC sales still happening.

Xmos news dated 7th March - these guys look like they have the contacts and skills to get somewhere fast:



"XMOS founder will 'Shape the Future'

XMOS Semiconductor Founder and Chief Technology Officer David May has been cited as one of "35 People, Places and Things That Will Shape the Future". Listed in a special report by EE Times that predicts what it believes will have the greatest influence on the world in the years ahead, May is listed alongside such global icons as Al Gore, China and Google.

"I'm certainly very pleased that a journal with the world-standing of EE Times has in effect chosen to recognise the great importance of parallel processing in this special report," said May. "It's a field of computer technology that I've been involved in all my life so I'm proud to be featured and of course it's flattering to be mentioned in the same breath as so many globally influential people, places and things." He continued, "The first microcomputer designed for parallel processing - the transputer - that I developed at Inmos in Bristol in the early 80's really has given rise to a major intellectual legacy here in the South West. Many young engineers joined Inmos and have since become the leaders of the area's most exciting and innovative electronics companies."

"XMOS Semiconductor in particular, is today blazing a trail for parallel processing and I'm expecting that creative designers will use its Software Designed Silicon to bring intelligence to a wide range of consumer electronic products over the next decade." Before founding XMOS, May was Head of Computer Science at Bristol University, and previously spent 16 years in the semiconductor industry with Inmos and STMicroelectronics. The architect of the Transputer and the author of the OCCAM language, he has 33 granted patents and many pending patents centered on microprocessor technology. In 1990 David was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his contributions to computer architecture and parallel computing. He is on the Technical Advisory Boards of several semiconductor companies.

The full report, "35 People, Places and Things That Will Shape the Future", can be found on-line at the EE Times Image Galleries at "

[pinkfish] 24/3/2008 22:59

Good luck all.
3i pulling out of early stage too. Not a good place to be. Later stage thought to probably return better than large buy-out in medium term. What PDT will manage to achieve is anyones guess if they can't sell on or float the more mature holdings. Neither floats or buy-outs (sell ons) have a friendly market now.

[rivaldo] 23/3/2008 20:19

Yep, ta from me too Orange1. I'm still here, but been on hols, then a bit busy, and now the Google news alert service to my Hotmail account has suddenly stopped working so I'm not getting sent any news stories - have you ever had that problem Orange1? I've complained to Google and heard nowt.

Good to see ZBD still nicely in the frame and Sciona looking more promising.

[cerrito] 21/3/2008 16:04

Orange 1
I too want to thank you for what you are doing and hope you can continue

[hvs] 21/3/2008 14:17

Keep up the good work Orange 1,

Happy Easter holidays.

[orange1] 21/3/2008 13:15

More on the battle of the dry-grocery shelves:

"Tesco extends order of ZBD EPoP displays

Tesco has ordered a further 2,500 electronic point-of-purchase displays from ZBD to extend trials of the devices to a third store.

The ZBD300 displays are smaller than the ZBD500 units in place already in Tesco stores and will be deployed in the dry grocery area of a store in Birmingham.

In February, it was revealed that Tesco had placed an order for 2,750 units of an electronic shelf-edge labelling (ESEL) device from Swedish supplier Pricer, to be used in a dry grocery department (Retail Week, February 22).

ZBD vice-president sales and marketing David Rogers told Retail Week that the grocer would be weighing up the relative merits of the two different systems. "We have proven our technology in Tesco's deli counters. Any retailer will look at what else is in the marketplace and Tesco can draw its own conclusions," he said.

Tesco operations development director Mike McNamara said: "The technology is great for helping to improve our customers' shopping experience and making our store staff's jobs easier. From our previous in-store experience, we believe ZBD's displays can meet these criteria."

[orange1] 20/3/2008 21:24

Meanwhile Xmos is "shooting" for an imminent production run :

XMOS to demo Software Designed Silicon apps at ESC

XMOS Semiconductor, the Bristol consumer chip company set up by Transputer-designer Professor David May FRS, intends to show working silicon in April at the ESC exhibition in San Jose.

XMOS will demo its SDS (Software Designed Silicon) ICs in various applications, including LCD backlighting, data encryption/decryption and video networking, showing how cheaply and quickly they can effect an application.

Built using a small array of event driven, multi-threaded 'XCore' processor tiles offering 400MIPs performance, the XMOS chips support multiple real-time functions and allow programmers to implement anything from simple I/O interfaces through to complete software applications. To ensure a rapid design cycle, the software flow is C-based and will be supported by an IP module library.

"This is all driven by the cost of state of the art ASIC going up and up, so designers have to design chips that cover the whole world market", said May, "that strangles innovation. Innovation has been squeezed out of consumer electronics."

XMOS got its first chips back from the foundry, TSMC, last November and is shooting for an early Q2 2008 initial production run. The multi-processor chips will sell for between $1 and $10, and are aimed at consumer electronics producers wanting fast, cheap, C-programmable silicon.

XMOS has raised $17.2m in capital funding from Esprit Capital Partners, Amadeus Capital Partners and Foundation Capital.

[orange1] 20/3/2008 21:19

Not everyone is a believer in Sciona's product but following this deal they could be getting quite a few new customers:

"DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - (Business Wire) Health Engineering Group, LLC (www.hegfitnesssystems.com), a provider of clinically proven medical/fitness products to the fitness industry, announced today [6 March 2008] it has signed a national distribution agreement with Sciona, Inc. (www.MyCellf.com), a pioneer in the science of Consumer Genetics for lifestyle and nutritional guidance.

Health Engineering Group Co-Founder John Fletcher stated, "As part of the agreement, HEG will distribute the MyCellf™ DNA Fitness Program into a network of more than 20,000 fitness facilities across the country. The initial response from our clients in the fitness and medical/fitness industry is excellent. They are excited about the MyCellf™ DNA Fitness Program because the cutting edge technology assists the facility operator and fitness trainers in structuring the best bio-identical nutritional and training programs for those members who are interested in obtaining optimal health and wellness."

[orange1] 20/3/2008 21:14

Hands up those who thought that Tesco's relationship with ZBD was over when the following news was reported a month ago:

"Tesco is to extend its use of electronic shelf-edge labelling (ESL) using a system from Swedish vendor Pricer. Pricer said that Tesco had ordered 400 units for the deli counter of one store and that this has been extended to include an additional 2,750 units for the dry-grocery department in the same store.

...

This is not the first time that Tesco has deployed ESL technology on a small scale. In 2006, Tesco tested a ZBD Displays system at a store in Leicestershire and extended it to another at High Wycombe. The trial included fresh produce and its fish and hot-deli counters (Retail Week December 22, 2006).

Pricer said that Tesco's earlier trials had not achieved all of the promised benefits. However, Tesco said that it is not replacing the labels it has deployed previously."

Well think again. This report from a week ago:

"Tesco orders ZBD EPOP displays for new milestone store

Tesco has ordered 2,500 electronic point of purchase displays (EPOPs) from ZBD for its latest milestone store. Continuing a relationship that has already seen ZBD's displays trialled in two Tesco stores in Central and Southern England, the new orders will be deployed in the dry groceries area.

Tesco's Mike McNamara, Operations Development Director said: "Tesco are pleased to be working again with ZBD for our trial of Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs). The technology is great for helping to improve our customers' shopping experience and making our store staff's jobs simpler. From our previous in-store experience we believe ZBD's ESEL displays can meet these
criteria."

It's clearly war in that dry groceries area!: 2750 EPOPs from Pricer v 2500 from ZBD.

[orange1] 18/3/2008 10:49

In the words of the Whispers "And the beat goes on, still moving strong on and on":

DisplayLink opens new Bellevue office

A heavily funded Silicon Valley startup called DisplayLink has set up a new engineering office in Bellevue under the direction of former Microsoft software development manager Bernie Thompson.

The new office plans to have half a dozen engineers on staff in the next six months and as many as 10 by the end of the year.

Founded in Cambridge, England, DisplayLink is developing software and semiconductor technologies that use USB ports to help people set up multiple monitors.

It may seem unusual for a Silicon Valley semiconductor startup to target Seattle, but Thompson said the company wanted to locate near partners such as Microsoft and Intel.

[...]

"We're building a team of people that love working on software that brings hardware alive," said Thompson, who joined the company two months ago.

[hvs] 10/3/2008 11:44

Thank you for that Orange 1

[orange1] 10/3/2008 09:05

Displaylink is continuing to cause a stir:

"New announcements regarding new DisplayLink products are coming in at a fairly alarming rate, and I must say, this is one of the few technologies out now that deserves all the attention its getting. The latest addition is what I believe is a first for DisplayLink, InFocus, maker of projectors from both the high and low end and everything in between, is going to start including DisplayLink tech in their future projectors.

That means that you'll be able to walk up to the projector and plug in just by simply plugging in the USB cable. There'll be no need to worry about whether its component, composite, RCA, S-Video, HDMI, DVI, VGA, none of that will matter, you'll just need a free USB port and you'll be able to mirror or extend your desktop onto the projector.

With the resolution advances that DisplayLink is making they've already surpassed most projector's native resolutions and should soon be announcing full HD or higher capable resolutions if I had to guess. Can you imaging hooking up to 6 projectors to one computer just using USB?!"

[timtom2] 03/3/2008 19:58

Might be again if it goes low enough. But true, it shouldn't bother me.

[hvs] 03/3/2008 13:47

Why should that bother you as you are now not a shareholder ?

[timtom2] 25/2/2008 21:34

"The announcement made in January concerning the Board's evaluation of strategic options has, as expected, precipitated some indicative interest in the assets of the company. The Board is progressing these expressions of interest and expects to communicate to shareholders further on this matter in a few weeks time."

No indication if the interest is for all the assets of the company or just "cherry-picking" interesting parts that are most likely to prosper.

[hvs] 25/2/2008 14:09

Thank you for the posts Orange.

Looks like we do have a few winners in the portfolio.

[orange1] 25/2/2008 12:11

Kiadis gets US FDA Approval to start a Phase III study for Reviroc:

AMSTERDAM, February 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Biopharmaceutical Company Kiadis
Pharma announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved Kiadis Pharma's investigational new drug ("IND") application to
allow the start of a clinical phase III study for its product Reviroc(TM)
in the United States. Reviroc(TM) is under development for the elimination
of cancer cells from an autologous graft in bone marrow transplantations
for end-stage blood cancer patients.

This approval follows the successful End of Phase II meeting with the
FDA for Reviroc(TM) and the subsequent submission of the IND package to the
FDA. As part of the End of Phase II meeting the FDA offered its Special
Protocol Assessment (SPA) for Reviroc(TM) for protocol design of a phase
III clinical study. Kiadis Pharma will initiate the start of a phase III
study upon completion of the SPA.

The completed phase II study has shown an effective elimination of
cancer cells from the patients autologous bone marrow graft prior to the
transplantation and shows an encouraging overall survival after autologous
bone marrow transplantations in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.

"We are very pleased with this IND approval received from the FDA and
look forward to completing the SPA as well to allow us to start enrolment
of patients in the study," commented Manja Bouman, CEO of Kiadis Pharma.

usa

[orange1] 25/2/2008 12:08

Meanwhile, Polatis is talking the talk ahead of OFC 2008 which starts tomorrow:

Polatis Targets Carrier Deployments with High Performance Optical Switch Products

Polatis announces expansion of product line at OFC 2008


Boston, MA, and Cambridge, UK, February 20, 2008 - Polatis Inc, a leading supplier of high performance optical switch products, today announced its plans to aggressively target communication service providers with an expanded portfolio of network-ready products at OFC 2008, taking place from February 26th - 28th at the San Diego Convention Centre, California.

"Polatis has established itself as a leader in the production automation, development lab, defense, and video broadcast markets," states Dr. Aaron Bent, Polatis VP of Sales & Marketing. "This OFC marks a shift in emphasis at Polatis, as we address the growing need for optical-layer switching in service provider networks. At this point, most tier I and many tier 2 operators in Asia, Europe, and North America are evaluating and trialing optical switches for some form of service provisioning, protection, or trouble-shooting of networks.

At OFC Polatis will introduce several new products, including a High Speed Switch Module (OSM) designed for OEM integration into optical transport systems, providing sub 10 millisecond switching for fast optical-layer protection and network fail-over. Also on demonstration will be the new Touch Screen Optical Switch Tray (OSD), delivering

[hvs] 25/2/2008 10:07

Looks like a sale will be possible :

Investment Strategy Update

The announcement made in January concerning the Board's evaluation of strategic
options has, as expected, precipitated some indicative interest in the assets of
the company. The Board is progressing these expressions of interest and expects
to communicate to shareholders further on this matter in a few weeks time.

[hvs] 20/2/2008 13:05

ITS NOT ALL DOOM and GLOOM , read this :

DisplayLink Announced as Fast Growth Business Awards Finalist 2008

USB multi-monitor specialist shortlisted for One to Watch category

13 February 2008 – DisplayLink today announced that it has been shortlisted as a finalist in the One to Watch category for the Fast Growth Business Awards 2008.

The Fast Growth Business Awards, organised in conjunction with Growing Business magazine, is an independent scheme designed to recognise and celebrate the UK's fastest growing businesses.

Cambridge-based start-up DisplayLink is the first company to bring the full benefits of multiple monitors to a whole range of businesses. DisplayLink's technology enables up to six extra screens to be added to almost any PC or laptop, via a standard USB 2.0 connection with plug-and-play simplicity. Traditionally, multiple screens have been difficult and expensive for businesses to implement, and uptake has therefore been limited to niche industries. DisplayLink's high performance, low cost network display solutions have the potential to change this by breaking down the barriers associated with deployment and ease-of-use.

The company has contracts with some of the world's largest technology brands, including Samsung, Toshiba, Kensington and LG.

"DisplayLink is thrilled to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award which recognises its potential in a competitive entrepreneurial landscape," said Hamid Farzaneh, CEO of DisplayLink. "Our first-class team has worked very hard to make multi-display technology simple and accessible, while maintaining a high level of product quality and performance."

Judged by a panel of entrepreneurs, industry experts and business journalists, the award ceremony will be held on 12th March 2008 at the London Marriott Hotel. As a finalist, DisplayLink is also in the running for T-Mobile Fast Growth Business of the Year 2008.

About DisplayLink
DisplayLink Corp. is a network display chip and software company that creates simple connections between computers and displays – via USB, making the benefits of expanded visual workspace available to everyone. Using universally accepted wired or wireless networking protocols and proprietary software compression techniques, graphically rich content can be transmitted easily between a single device and multiple displays and enjoyed in a more organized and productive way.

Leading global manufacturers have integrated network display technology into an array of consumer electronics including USB-enabled monitors, video docking stations and display adapters. Because of the unique ability to unleash content from hardware to multiple screens, an array of innovative devices is on the horizon. Founded in 2003, DisplayLink's venture backers include Atlas Venture, Balderton Capital, DAG Ventures and DFJ Esprit. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, with main R&D and product development activities in Cambridge, UK.

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