Rocky Hill, Conn., Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state's quasi-public authority responsible for technology investing and innovation development, today announced that it has made a $150,000 follow-on investment in Interactive MOBILE @dvertising Inc. (iM@) of Westport, Conn., through its Eli Whitney Fund.

Kerry J. Cannon, Jr., iM@'s chief executive officer, said, "The market is embracing mobile at an incredible rate. Our tight focus in the travel and tourism sector, coupled with an efficient partner-leveraged user acquisition strategy is resonating in a big way. Additionally, this new investment from CI provides added fuel to accelerate our pace and bring on more partners, sponsors, advertisers and event producers."

iM@ has developed "geo-intelligent" mobile city and event guides for leisure and business visitors to the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Through a free mobile phone application and mobile website, iM@ provides travelers with access to destination-specific information, including dining options, accommodations, transportation, shopping and attractions. Additionally, iM@'s Mobile Expo Guides provide trade show attendees with maps, conference information, show announcements, exhibitor directories, promotions, and local information and offers. The company's platform also allows local, regional, and national travel product and service suppliers to reach and interact with potential customers. In addition to communicating directly with visitors who seek out information through the iM@ application, advertisers can also proactively send offers and content related to a particular travel destination to travelers who opt to receive such information.

iM@ has launched its application in three of the largest U.S. travel markets: Las Vegas, New York and Orlando and will be rolling out in 10 additional markets this year. The company also recently announced a distribution partnership with Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group for their two leading car rental brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental.

Peter Longo, president and executive director of CI, said, "Interactive MOBILE @dvertising's exciting, new platform is changing the way tourists access destination-specific information and offers from local businesses. iM@ continues to ride the wave from traditional advertising to digital, introducing its innovative tool to customers in a growing number of major tourist destinations, and we are encouraged by the strong market response to their technology."

Kevin Crowley, CI managing director, investments, represents CI on iM@'s board of directors.


About Connecticut Innovations, Inc.
Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a quasi-public organization dedicated to driving a vibrant, entrepreneurial, technology-based economy in Connecticut. CI stimulates high-tech growth by investing in early-stage Connecticut technology companies, university/industry research collaborations, technology transfer, and clean energy initiatives through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. CI also fosters collaboration among government, business, nonprofit and academic organizations to advance technology growth and promotes public policies consistent with CI's mission. For more information on CI, please visit www.ctinnovations.com.

About Interactive MOBILE @dvertising Inc.
iM@ (pronounced "I'm at"), a Westport, CT based mobile content and messaging provider focused in the travel and tourism sector, combines a unique partner-leveraged user acquisition strategy with a hyper local advertising and transaction revenue model. iM@ provides geo-intelligent mobile destination and event guides delivering valuable content to travelers while linking businesses to these targeted consumers. iM@ delivers integrated, cross-platform, branded content via mobile apps/web and SMS for maximum reach. Visitors have access to destination-specific information, maps, deals and coupons for entertainment, dining, shopping etc. while advertisers can accurately reach those visitors while traveling.