MENLO PARK, Calif. — April 13, 1999 — Homestead Technologies, a leader in self-service Web-based publishing for consumers, today announced it has completed a $17.5 million round of financing from a group led by IVP, a prominent Silicon Valley based venture firm. In addition to IVP, Global Retail Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson also participated in the round.

Homestead is a Web-based publishing platform that enables individuals and groups to quickly create feature-rich Web sites for a myriad of purposes without the need to buy expensive desktop software. It is the first platform that gives computer users of all skill levels an easy, free and flexible way to publish on the Web and build sites that help them better communicate and collaborate with their real-world communities of family, friends and colleagues. With this round of funding, Homestead will continue to develop its popular Web-based publishing platform and expand its sales and marketing operations.

"One of the most important uses of the Internet today is personal or group Web publishing and the community this creates," said Geoff Yang, partner at IVP, which invested $12 million in this round. "Homestead has the platform which will help define these communities."

"Since our launch last year, Homestead has changed the face of Web publishing by giving consumers everything they need to easily publish on the Web," said Justin Kitch, CEO and founder of Homestead. "Additionally, we give advertisers the opportunity to go beyond the banner to reach their target audiences, and our co-branding partners an easy way to provide the Homestead platform to their communities. This funding allows us to secure our position as the premier Web-based publishing platform, and underscores the industry's belief in our unique business model and mission to enable anyone to become an active contributor to the Web."

This round of funding follows Homestead's recent introduction of a new Internet advertising model based on branded Elements from partners such as Rolling Stone Network, HotBot, Deja News, AccuWeather and VantageNet. Elements are the basic building blocks for creating Web sites using the company's Web publishing platform. Branded Elements drive traffic and promote an advertiser's brand, yet unlike traditional ad banners, they are functional, and can be any type of Web content such as search boxes or news tickers. In addition to Homestead's branded Element partnerships, the company has co-branding partnerships with Deja News, Alloy Online and Harris Publishing.

Draper Fisher Jurvetson provided the initial venture capital for the company in June 1998. Subsequently, Intel Corp backed Homestead with additional funding in September 1998.

About Homestead Technologies, Inc.
Homestead Technologies, Inc. is a leader in self-service Web publishing via consumer webware — software that lives on the Web. As a Web-based publishing platform, Homestead enables individuals and groups to quickly create feature-rich sites for a myriad of purposes without the need to buy expensive desktop software. Homestead is the first platform that gives computer users of all skill levels an easy, free and flexible way to build Web sites or extend real-world micro-communities of family, friends and colleagues to the Web. Additionally, Homestead offers advertisers the opportunity to go beyond the banner to reach their target audiences, and its co-branding partners a complete community-based Web publishing platform without the need to install and maintain any software on their servers. Founded in 1997, Homestead is based in Menlo Park, Calif. and has more than 50 employees. The company is privately held and has received investments from IVP, Global Retail Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Intel Corp. Homestead is available at www.homestead.com and through co-branding partners.

About IVP
IVP, based in Menlo Park, Calif., is a privately held, professionally managed family of venture capital partnerships with more than $1 billion in total committed capital. The firm's underlying philosophy is to partner with entrepreneurs to create new market share leaders in important emerging industries. Since 1980, over sixty IVP companies have gone public. These companies have revenues greater than $10 billion, employ 150,000 people and have a combined market capitalization of over $30 billion.

About Global Retail Partners
Global Retail Partners (GRP), based in Los Angeles, is a growth capital fund dedicated to the crossover of the retail industry and e-commerce. Formed in 1996 with the vision of being a key participant in the way goods and service are distributed to consumers in the future, GRP's founders and professionals each have over fifteen years of relevant experience and currently manage $150 million in committed capital. GRP invests in start-ups and early-stage companies both in the US and in Europe. It looks for companies with great management and innovative business models focused on delivering new or better value added services to consumers and businesses. Global Retail Partners' Internet investments include TicketmasterCitySearch, Beyond.com, GoTo.com, CyberSource, InterWorld, Garden.com and Exactis.com.

About Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Draper Fisher Jurvetson is a leader in start-up venture capital, having invested in over 150 high-tech companies. In the majority of cases, they are the lead investor for a company's first round of financing. The firm focuses on information technology businesses with enormous market potential, and helps entrepreneurs achieve their maximum potential through team building, partnerships, advice and support, as well as investments. By pursuing a people-focused approach to venture capital investing, Draper Fisher Jurvetson continues to fund entrepreneurs with the energy, vision, experience and desire to build great companies. Draper Fisher Jurvetson's 40 Internet investments include HotMail, Four11, Kana, Release Software, Homestead Technologies and Tumbleweed Software. Draper Fisher Jurvetson is located in Redwood City, Calif. and can be found on the Web at www.drapervc.com.