Cadence Partners with The Tech Museum of Innovation; EDA Leader Funds Tech Challenge Program to Inspire Next Generation

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—June 24, 2004— Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(NYSE:CDN), the world's leading electronic design automation (EDA) company, announced today that it will be the Presenting Sponsor of The Tech Museum of Innovation's Tech Challenge. The announcement of this premier sponsorship follows the opening of the Cadence(R)-funded Silicon Workshop exhibit at The Tech Museum of Innovation on June 4.

"We are absolutely delighted by Cadence's newest contribution toward The Tech's mission of inspiring innovation in all those we reach," said Peter Giles, president and CEO of The Tech Museum of Innovation. "Cadence is a company that's shaping the future of technology, and we're excited to work with them to foster and educate the next generation of Silicon Valley's leaders."

Tech Challenge is based on The Tech Museum's "design challenge" education model, which stresses that the process of design, rather than just ultimate success, is what sparks innovation. The program engages 5th through 12th grade students in solving a current, real-life technological problem. Working with mentors from local businesses and schools, teams of young people design a solution using engineering design processes and the application of science and mathematics. The students employ innovative thinking, brainstorming, team building and problem-solving techniques throughout the months leading up to the final big day of the challenge.

"Cadence is a leader in building collaborative relationships in the electronic design automation industry and we extend that same collaborative spirit to our community involvements," said Ray Bingham, chairman of the Board of Directors of Cadence. "Tech Challenge is a unique way for us to support a program that mirrors the work our engineers and scientists do every day. Now we have an opportunity to work with the next generation of students and help inspire and excite the innovators of tomorrow."

More about Tech Challenge

Tech Challenge engages hundreds of students each season. With a new focused outreach to underserved youth and young women, the program has grown substantially in recent years. The program officially launches each January, and over the four months leading to the April competition, The Tech Museum hosts information clinics, test trials and team workshops.

The Tech started the program in 1988 to address the need for more scientists and engineers to support California's high tech economy by developing and encouraging students' interest in math and science. Created to show participants the link between science and math in the classroom, and applications of technology from industry and everyday life, the program focuses on teaching science and problem solving through a real-world design process. Past challenges have included building vehicles that can navigate the surface of Mars, exploring the tunnels of an Egyptian tomb and retrieving nuclear waste from beneath an Antarctic lake.

More about The Silicon Workshop

After more than two years of dedicated research, planning and testing with children ages 9 thru 12, an interactive exhibit called the Silicon Workshop recently opened to the public. The playful exhibit features readily understandable items such as a car, a fish and even the popular children's game Mr. Potato Head -- all designed to help museum visitors understand the dynamic role EDA plays in the electronics industry, from ideas to manufactured products.

As a global company, Cadence promotes a culture of giving and encourages employee involvement and volunteerism around the world. Cadence support of The Tech Museum of Innovation is among the company's many community initiatives that are making a measurable impact through innovative and sustainable community investments.

About Cadence

Cadence is the largest supplier of electronic design technologies and engineering services. Cadence solutions are used to accelerate and manage the design of semiconductors, computer systems, networking and telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, and a variety of other electronics-based products. With approximately 4,800 employees and 2003 revenues of approximately $1.1 billion, Cadence has sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CDN. More information about the company, its products and services is available at http://www.cadence.com.

Cadence and the Cadence logo are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Nancy Szymanski, 408-473-8382
nancy@cadence.com
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Eastwick Communications
Erica Pereira, 650-480-4014
erica@eastwick.com