Alcatel's (ALA) new Venture Capital Partnership Program is a dedicated venture fund investing directly on IT and telecom technology start-ups in their early and seed financing stages.

The program will focus on innovative technologies, products, applications and services that address the demand of Chinese enterprises end users for a better, personalized telecom experience. To this end, the program supports start-ups using all technologies in wireline and wireless arena.

In addition, Alcatel will provide further support to the start-ups by granting them access to its research and development facilities in China for prototype testing and validation. Alcatel will also offer marketing support to the companies and help them roll out their products or services to end users.

Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.