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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2000-- Synopsys Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), a leading supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions, and HelloBrain.com, creator of the world's first intellectual capital exchange, today announced an alliance to enable Synopsys customers to accelerate electronic design projects. The companies have jointly launched an online exchange where Synopsys customers can post project requirements and source third-party solutions for complex IC design, such as test bench creation, simulation model development and intellectual property. The exchange is accessible immediately at http://Synopsys.HelloBrain.com.

The Synopsys exchange uses the Internet to provide electronic design companies access to a global network of third-party solution providers to help them accelerate their products to market. The exchange gives these solution providers an efficient way to find new business worldwide, and a means to leverage their proven knowledge of Synopsys tools and IC design methodologies.

``Synopsys' goal is to provide our customers with the most innovative technology to help with their electronic product designs,'' said Dave Burow, senior vice president of Synopsys' Internet design and services business unit. ``By augmenting our existing EDA tools and the Synopsys Professional Services organization, the exchange offers our customers an extra time-to-market advantage by helping them quickly find third-party experts to solve specific project requirements.''

How the Synopsys Exchange Works

The Synopsys exchange is accessible through the Synopsys and HelloBrain.com Web sites. Using the exchange, Synopsys customers post project requirements that are made visible to third-party solution providers worldwide. As solution providers bid on the project, the proposed solutions are sent electronically to the customer. The exchange's public and private discussion facilities enable the customer to select the best solution. Through the exchange, the customer and solution provider can engage in remote collaboration on the final implementation of the solution. Once the customer is satisfied with the solution, HelloBrain.com is authorized to release payment to the provider, giving both the customer and the provider a single point of contact throughout the transaction.

``Synopsys is known for its innovation in electronic design technology,'' said Bharat Sastri, president and CEO of HelloBrain.com. ``By partnering with HelloBrain.com to create its own exchange, Synopsys is demonstrating their continued commitment to increase customers' productivity by ensuring access to a global network of solution providers experienced in Synopsys design methodologies.''

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), headquartered in Mountain View, California, provides leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools, intellectual property and services for the global electronics market. The company delivers advanced design technologies and solutions to developers of complex integrated circuits, electronic systems and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting and support services to simplify the overall IC design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Visit Synopsys at www.synopsys.com.

About HelloBrain.com

HelloBrain.com was formed to enable the attainment of critical mass in complex product development by creating the world's first intellectual capital exchange for technology solutions. HelloBrain.com's intellectual capital exchange provides all of the necessary components of a classical exchange, including buyers and sellers, liquidity, a transaction infrastructure, pricing mechanisms, information disclosure, and trust. In addition, HelloBrain.com provides specific additional capabilities necessary for virtual, or Internet-based intellectual capital exchange for technology, including on-line collaboration, evaluation, verification, and delivery, as well as security, protection of intellectual property, and a natural on-line community. The bi-lateral intellectual capital exchange provides a market for both existing solutions and solutions created ``on demand.''

Since the HelloBrain.com exchange was launched in December of last year, over 500 projects have been posted on the exchange. The exchange now includes contributors (problem solvers) from more than 120 countries worldwide with expertise in technology solutions from many different fields.

HelloBrain.com is based in Santa Clara, CA, and has received $33.5 million in venture capital funding from Accel Partners, Brentwood Venture Capital, Intel 64 Fund, Redpoint Ventures, and Thomas Weisel Partners. The company has recently announced partnerships with Altera (NASDAQ:ALTR), Atmel (NASDAQ:ATML - ), Documentum (NASDAQ:DCTM - news), and Insight Electronics. HelloBrain.com's intellectual capital exchange can be found on the Web at www.HelloBrain.com.

Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. All trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies. HelloBrain is a trademark of HelloBrain.com Corporation.

     Synopsys Inc.
     Lisa Bullard, 650/584-4401
     Bullard@synopsys.com
     or
     Roeder-Johnson Corporation (for HelloBrain)
     Jeanne Calhoun or Abigail Johnson, 650/802-1850
     Jeanne@roederj.com
     abigail@roederj.com
     or
     KVO Public Relations (for Synopsys)
     Amy Garland, 503/221-2387
     amy_garland@kvo.com