Commencemnt of Trading on AIM

Brainspark PLC 7 April 2000 Not for release, publication or distribution in, or into, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan Brainspark plc FIRST DAY OF TRADING IN BRAINSPARK ORDINARY SHARES ON THE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET Ordinary Shares in Brainspark, the incubator business focused on germinating and developing Internet related businesses, began trading on the Alternative Investment Market ('AIM') today. Brainspark aims to provide a one-stop solution for start up and recently formed Internet companies. As well as providing cash, Brainspark offers a range of physical incubator services designed to encourage and protect growth and provides daily access to the expertise of its management team and substantial network of contacts. Brainspark has been admitted to AIM following the successful completion of an institutional placing of 16 million Ordinary Shares at 125p per share, raising £18.4 million net. At the Placing Price, Brainspark is capitalised at £153.9 million. Schroders is acting as Brainspark s nominated adviser and broker in connection with its Admission. Stewart Dodd, Chief Executive of Brainspark, said: 'This is an exciting day in our development. We look forward to the challenges ahead, to meeting the expectations of our new shareholders and to using the funds raised to invest in and develop those innovative concepts which we believe can become successful commercial enterprises. Enquiries: Brainspark (0207 843 6600) Stewart Dodd David Hart Schroders (0207 658 6000) Phil Raper Matthew Smith Citigate Dewe Rogerson (0207 638 9571) Martin Jackson Charles Vivian Definitions of terms used in this press release are provided in the Admission Document published today. Copies of the Admission Document are available until at least 14 days from today from Schroders, 120 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DS or Gouldens, 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. This press release, for which Brainspark plc is alone responsible, has been approved by J. Henry Schroder and Co. Limited ('Schroders') solely for the purposes of section 57 of the Financial Services Act 1986. Schroders, which is regulated in the UK by the Securities and Futures Authority Limited, is acting only for Brainspark plc in connection with this transaction and no one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Brainspark plc for providing the protections afforded to its customers nor for providing advice in relation to the proposed transaction. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale into the United States. Shares of Brainspark plc may not be offered or sold in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Schroders, which is regulated by The Securities and Futures Authority Limited, is acting as the Company s nominated adviser and nominated broker in connection with the admission of the Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM. Its responsibilities as the Company's nominated adviser and nominated broker under the AIM Rules are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company or to any Director or to any other person in respect of his decision to acquire shares in the Company in reliance on any part of this document. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Schroders as to any of the contents of this document. Schroders will not be offering advice and will not otherwise be responsible for providing customer protections to recipients of this document in respect of any acquisitions of shares in the Company. NOTES TO EDITORS Brainspark's Partner Companies Further information on Brainspark is contained in the Admission Document and on www.brainspark.com. To date, Brainspark has eight Partner Companies, summarised below: . Petspark (b2c): A European pet portal business focused on building an online community of pet enthusiasts. . EasyArt (b2b and b2c): EasyArt, is a one-stop Internet art shop catering for the art print and framing needs of businesses and individuals. . Fortune Cookie (b2b): A web design and development company, which specialises in executing client design specifications and assisting clients with the more commercial aspects of web development. . Leisurehub (b2b): A portal site and market place for the leisure industry, bringing buyers and sellers of all kinds of leisure related products together. . perfectday (b2c): A wedding portal site aimed at providing high quality content on all aspects of the wedding process. . Smile-on (b2b and b2c): A European dental community site providing high quality content and commerce to both consumers and professionals on all dental related issues. . Hobomedia (b2b and b2c): An Internet based digital assistant that provides information and services to the music, film and television industries. . Metapack (b2b): Provides one-stop supply chain solutions for e-tailers and enables them to rapidly scale their on-line offerings while delivering industry-leading customer service.