QUEBEC, August 1, 2002 – KOREM, enterprise from Quebec that specializes in the SIM industry, announces a 2nd round of investment totaling 1 million dollars. CDP Accès Capital, a subsidiary of La Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec and Innovatech Quebec have each invested 500 000 $.

Founded in 1993, KOREM is recognized as a leader in the development of Web-mapping solutions in Java and in the integration of MapInfo products, an American company which counts over 300 000 users worldwide. Since over a year now, KOREM has been developing and commercializing its two solutions specially intended for MapInfo users : Push’n’See, a Web-mapping software and mapWORKSPACE.com, the first GEObroadcasting Web service. In the past two years, KOREM received the title of "Best new partner 2000 for North America" by MapInfo Corporation and “MapInfo Canadian Partner of the Year 2001”.

Next September, KOREM will be launching its new Web solution mapANSWER.com, an open Web service based on Push’n’See offering customizable “dealer locator” applications to private and public organizations. mapANSWER.com will be the optimal solution to broadcast and represent punctual information in a Web environment (Web site, Extranet, Intranet and portal). KOREM is enlarging its line of products in order to respond to a wide variety of needs in the broadcast and sharing of geographical information on the Internet.

CDP Acces Capital and Innovatech Quebec investment will allow KOREM to support local and international marketing of its Push’n’See software and Web services mapWORKSPACE.com and mapANSWER.com. Furthermore, this financing will allow KOREM to maintain its leader position in the integration of MapInfo technologies and in the development of Web-mapping solutions in Java.

KOREM recently announced that Claritas France has signed as KOREM’s exclusive Push’n’See distributor in France. The leader in precision marketing solution is confident that Push’n’See is the right solution for MapInfo users who need an easy an flexible Web deployment of their maps and spatial information. For the next year, KOREM will be expanding its partner network and is currently seeking for partners.

About CDP Acces Capital
CDP Accès Capital supports small and mid-sized businesses in Québec and New Brunswick recognized for their excellence, vitality and growth potential, regardless of their sector of economic activity. CDP Accès Capital makes it possible for SMEs to tap into the local and international networks of CDP Capital and the financial expertise of its management teams. All its products are customized to meet the specific needs of SMEs and young companies. CDP Accès Capital has a portfolio of 162 investments valued at CA$147 million. For more information: www.cdpcapital.com/accescapital/eng

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDP) is a major financial institution that manages funds for public and private pension and insurance plans. CDP strives to obtain an optimal financial return for its depositors and clients, while contributing to economic growth wherever it invests. Its fund manager, CDP Capital, is the largest in Canada with more than CA$133 billion of assets under management.

About Innovatech Québec
Innovatech Québec is a Quebec government venture capital corporation specializing in pre-start up and start up financial assistance to technology-intensive companies. With a $150 millions fund, Innovatech’s investment portfolio includes over 100 companies and projects in the following fields: information technology and telecommunications, optics and photonics, biotechnology and industrial technology.