Innovative Technology Entrepreneur Has Eye For ‘What’s Next’

(TORONTO, September 26, 2007) – Octopz Inc. announced today that influential technology entrepreneur Albert Lai has joined its Product Advisory Team.  With expertise in software and imaging technology, Lai has an outstanding track record for anticipating ‘what’s next’ in the rapidly evolving Web 2.0 business environment.

Lai sold his first internet company, MyDesktop Network, to JupiterMedia (JUPM) for a 7 digit sum while still in his teens.  In the decade since, Lai has been involved in founding and launching a variety of start-ups in the fields of educational software, electronic marketing, online publishing, e-commerce and peer-to-peer software.  Most recently, at age 28, Lai sold BubbleShare, an innovative online photo sharing service, to Kaboose (KAB) in a multi-million dollar deal.  Lai also helped launched the first DemoCamp, a series of ‘Unconferences’ that now take place around the world.

“It’s exciting to be part of a dynamic company like Octopz, with its simple and effective online collaboration solution,” said Lai.  “It’s also extremely rewarding to use my experience to help emerging companies avoid the unexpected pitfalls that often stand in the way of successfully launching a great new service.”

Offered on a Software as a Service (SaaS) basis, Octopz enables up to 5 people to synchronously view and markup an unprecedented range of document types – including video, animations and other digital media.  It’s easy to use, with nothing to download, and virtually no training required.  Octopz has intuitive navigation and tool icons, requires nothing more than a flash-enabled web browser, and uses integrated SSL encryption to ensure security.  In addition, Octopz can be integrated (via API, web services and Flash) with existing applications including content and digital asset management systems (CMS and DAM).

Octopz formally launched in April at the Web 2.0 Expo 2007, where it was named one of the ‘Top Five’ Web 2.0 services by CNET.  Since then, Octopz was nominated as a finalist in the “Webware 100” awards, identified as a 2007 rising star by InfoWorld, selected by Red Herring as one of the ten hottest startups in Canada and named one of Canada’s Companies-to-Watch as part of the 2007 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards.

“Octopz is thrilled to welcome Albert to our Product Advisory Team, comprised of technology and business experts with specific insight into the Web 2.0, Software as a Service market,” said Ron McKenzie, CEO of Octopz Inc.  “The perspective of experienced insiders like Albert will be invaluable in ensuring Octopz continues to keep close to our customers and delivers on the features and functionality they need.” Establishing this Product Advisory Team will ensure Octopz maintains a strong competitive position as we continue to evolve and expand in the market.”

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About Octopz Inc.
Octopz Inc. (www.octopz.com ) develops advanced online collaboration technologies built specifically for today’s creative professionals. With fully integrated support for text messaging, VoIP and webcams, Octopz allows colleagues and partners anywhere in the world to work together securely in real-time, or individually at their own convenience, using multiple document types. Team members can then save and archive their work for subsequent retrieval, review and feedback. The result is accelerated decision making and speed-to-market – a significant competitive edge.


For more information, contact:
Ann Christie
Vice President, Marketing
Octopz Inc.
416.673.8187
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