ChipIdea Microelectronics SA ranked as 115th on 2003 Europe’s 500 Listing of fast growing, job creating companies

December 17, 2003 - ChipIdea Microelectronics SA, of Porto Salvo-Portugal, a leading analog and mixed-signal IP solutions provider today announced that it has been listed 115th amongst the fastest growing European companies included in the 2003 Europe's 500, an annual listing endorsed by 3i, Microsoft, Boston Consulting Group and PricewaterhouseCoopers

The Europe’s 500 listing identifies and honours rapidly growing European companies for their employment creation. Officially unveiled at the Awards Ceremony on 28 November, the 2003 Europe's 500 recognized ChipIdea for its business achievements and employment growth.

" We are delighted to have made into Europe’s 500 list”, said Jose Franca, CEO of ChipIdea. “ChipIdea has continued its business and job-creating growth pattern during 2003. In the third quarter, and following a fast expansion of its IP portfolio and worldwide market visibility, ChipIdea has reached the top one hot IP provider position among 94 world IP providers according to D&R’ s IP market watch bulletin”.

“Despite difficult times, this year’s listing has once again confirmed that dynamic entrepreneurial businesses can successfully drive employment and growth. The companies on the listing have on average created 450 jobs each which, given the economic circumstances, is remarkable. They should be recognised for this achievement,“ said Patrick De Smedt, Chairman Microsoft EMEA.

"The Europe's 500 selection shows that high growth is not industry driven or even country specific: it is driven by talented, innovative, risk-taking entrepreneurs," said Antonella Mei- Pochtler, Senior Vice President of the Boston Consulting Group.

"After the Internet boom and crash, today's high growth companies are focused on more solid business models. The weaker companies have been flushed out and we are left with much healthier, professional and profitable projects," said Peter Kazimirski, European Leader, High Growth Companies Program of Pricewaterhouse-Coopers.