Privately held Laurel Networks has received $102.3 million in funding from top-tier venture firms with proven expertise in the telecommunications industry and a track record of investing in successful companies and leading technologies.

CIENA Corporation delivers innovative network solutions to the world's largest service providers, increasing the cost-efficiency of current services while enabling the creation of new carrier-class data services built upon the existing network infrastructure. Additional information about CIENA can be found at www.ciena.com.



New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is one of the industry's premier venture capital firms. For more than 20 years, NEA has practiced classic venture capital by investing in early-stage companies and working with management to nurture and build companies of real and lasting value. NEA is now the leading start-up venture investor in the country specializing in the Information Technology and Medical/Life Sciences markets.



Trinity Ventures is a top-tier venture capital firm that invests in early stage technology companies. Trinity brings not just capital, but valuable networks and resources to its portfolio to accelerate growth and improve the probability of long-term success. Trinity focuses on software, communications and technology-based services.

Worldview Technology Partners is a venture capital firm focused on building leading U.S. technology companies and helping them expand into lucrative global markets. With more than $750 million under management, Worldview specializes its investments in telecom and Internet infrastructure companies.



WorldCom Ventures is the venture capital subsidiary of WorldCom, Inc., a premier provider of facilities-based and fully integrated local, long distance, international and Internet services. WorldCom Ventures invests in emerging private companies that are building important next-generation technologies and services. A key focus is on equipment and systems that will enable WorldCom to continue to deliver high bandwidth enhanced services.



Rein Capital is a high technology venture capital firm providing seed and early stage funding to new ventures in the Communications and Information Services sectors. The firm works closely with a number of strategic corporate partners for the purposes of crafting early stage alliances and investments.



Eastward Capital Partners (formerly CommVest) provides venture financing to meet the unique needs of venture-backed telecommunications companies. Its focused investment approach allows Eastward to contribute to the success of promising companies whose business plans range from Internet service businesses to optical switching. To date, the company has managed five investment funds, providing more than $200 million of funding.