The Tech Museum and Applied Materials Announce the Tech Laureates Venture Network; Silicon...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2002

The Tech Museum of Innovation and Applied Materials, Inc. announced the launch of a unique initiative to support the global replication and extension of the technologies honored by The Tech Museum

TLVN will provide the twenty-five 2002 Tech Museum Awards Laureates a forum where they can meet with global philanthropists and Silicon Valley professionals who are interested in contributing to the successful continuance and expansion of their work.

"The central idea of The Tech Laureates Venture Network is leverage," stated Peter Giles, President and CEO of The Tech Museum. "At our 2001 Awards Gala, we witnessed the powerful exchange of information between our Laureates, some of the most provocative and humanitarian innovators from around the world. We've worked closely with Applied Materials to develop this formal network, harnessing the best ideas, practices, and resources of Silicon Valley and beyond that will provide an invaluable resource to our Laureates."

As founding and presenting sponsor of The Tech Museum Awards, Applied Materials, Inc., led by its Chairman and CEO, James Morgan, provided the vision, funding and resources to develop and launch this innovative extension of the Awards program.

"The potential benefits of the projects and technologies recognized by The Tech Awards extend to hundreds of countries and millions of people," said James Morgan. "Our goal was to help harness the best of what Silicon Valley has to offer on behalf of the Tech Laureates. Venture, in the true sense of the word, means trying to connect motivated, passionate people with the leaders, expertise, and resources to grow their projects or organizations. With The Tech Laureates Venture Network, we have together built a network that will help connect key advisors, advocates, and stakeholders around the world with these exceptional Laureates."

2001 Tech Awards winner, Dr. Joseph DeRisi, underscores the potential impact of the network, "Receiving the $50,000 cash award from The Tech Museum last year allowed me to fully fund an additional postdoctoral fellow to work in my lab. Exposure to a host of resources through the addition of The Tech Laureates Venture Network could greatly assist our efforts to develop new, affordable anti-malarial drugs." Lacking commercial interest from established drug companies, Dr. DeRisi relies solely on funding from grants, individuals, and in-kind donors.

"We are very excited about the work we have done to help launch this first annual networking event and the establishment of a Web-based community where the Tech Awards Laureates can carry on their collaboration throughout and the year," said Howard Neff, Applied Materials senior executive, 2002 Chair of The Tech Laureates Venture Network.

About The Tech Laureates Venture Network

The Tech Laureates Venture Network (TLVN) was conceived by Applied Materials, Inc. and The Tech Museum of Innovation and developed in partnership with the World Affairs Council, Global Philanthropy Forum, and The Global Catalyst Foundation. The inaugural November 8 Networking Event featured remarks by Peter Giles, Jim Morgan, Howard Neff, Jane Wales, President and CEO, World Affairs Council, and Kristine Pearson, Executive Director, Freeplay Foundation and 2001 Tech Museum Awards winner. The TLVN Web site provides community and ongoing communication between members via a quarterly newsletter: www.techawards.thetech.org/laureates_network.cfm.

About The Tech Museum Awards: Technology Benefiting Humanity, presented by Applied Materials

The Tech Museum Awards is a unique awards program designed to recognize people, companies or organizations that develop or use technology in creative ways to address global challenges and benefit humanity. The awards honor innovators from around the world in the categories of education, equality, environment, health, and economic development. The Awards Web site is www.techawards.thetech.org.

About The Tech Museum of Innovation Awards Partners

The Tech Museum Awards represent a collaborative effort among educational institutions and business. Among Silicon Valley's leaders supporting The Tech Awards are presenting sponsor, Applied Materials, Inc. and category sponsors The NASDAQ Stock Market, Knight Ridder, Intel, JPMorgan Chase and Accenture.

About Applied Materials, Inc.

Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT), the largest supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry, is one of the world's leading information infrastructure providers. Applied Materials enables Information for Everyone(TM) by helping semiconductor manufacturers produce more powerful, portable, and affordable chips. Applied Materials Web site is www.appliedmaterials.com.

About The Tech Museum of Innovation

Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, Silicon Valley, Calif., The Tech, a non-profit organization, engages people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing the technologies affecting their lives and aims to inspire the innovator in everyone. For more information, visit www.thetech.org or call (408) 294-TECH.