CDNS Cadence Design Systems Inc

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), a leader in global electronic design automation, announced today it has launched a business incubation program for Australian integrated circuit (IC) start-ups designed to enhance the region's entrepreneurial environment. By providing industry-leading EDA solutions, this unique program will help remove some of the barriers to entry that new IC design companies face in the marketplace. Since many Australian design firms focus on mixed-signal design, the IC program for start-ups aligns with Cadence® technology strengths, while encouraging and supporting the expansion of the IC design and semiconductor industry in Australia.

"Being part of the program has enabled us to focus on designing our chip at a low burn rate, which is critical for a start-up," said Pat Kelly, CEO of Nitero, a fabless semiconductor company that is working on next-generation 60 GHz WI-Fi solutions for portable platforms. "Accessing leading-edge Cadence EDA technology and solutions has provided us with a unique advantage in the marketplace."

The Cadence® IC design program offers small and medium enterprises access to the Cadence suites of analog, custom, digital and PCB/package/board design software, as well as Internet training. The program is available through NICTA, Australia's Information and Communications Technology Research Centre of Excellence.

"Cadence has supported programs around the world to foster innovation in the semiconductor industry," said Pankaj Mayor, vice president of Marketing at Cadence. "Collaborating with the leading technology research organization in Australia demonstrates our commitment to both providing proven EDA resources to startups and to helping grow the Australian IC industry."

"This program, which supports the growth of small and medium businesses through technology and business development, is an excellent example of industry, government and academic cooperation," said Paul Hoff, director of technology transfer, NICTA.

NICTA is funded by the Australian Federal and State Governments and universities to develop technologies that generate economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia. NICTA collaborates with industry on joint projects, creates new companies, and provides new talent to the ICT sector through a NICTA-enhanced Ph.D. program. With five laboratories around Australia and over 700 people, NICTA is the largest organization in Australia dedicated to ICT research.

About Cadence Cadence enables global electronic design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software, hardware, IP, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available at www.cadence.com.

Cadence and the Cadence logo are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For information contact: Nancy Szymanski Cadence Design Systems, Inc. nancy@cadence.com 415-420-5008