e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

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Looking back at DataPlay
July 27, 2002

DataPlay Inc., long considered one of this region's hottest startups, has always been plagued with the same question: When will its tiny 500 MB discs be on the shelf?

The company says, essentially, any day now. But after a series of postponements and its first fundraising failure, its future is unclear. Take a look:

May 1998 — DataPlay Inc. founded as SpinVision.

August 1999 — SpinVision changes its name to DataPlay.

April 2000 — DataPlay unveils its concept at the Internet World conference in Los Angeles. The 80-employee startup already has raised $14 million, and says products will be on the shelf in early 2001.

June 2000: DataPlay announces it received $50 million in venture capital from investors including Universal Music Group, Toshiba Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co.

October 2000: The Boulder Chamber of Commerce recognizes DataPlay as one of its "Hot Companies to Watch" as part of its Esprit Entrepreneur 2000 awards. DataPlay signs a deal to form a joint venture with Toshiba to market the tiny discs in Asia.

January 2001: DataPlay's product named Best Overall Lifestyle Product at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Weeks later, it announces it will spend $30 million to form manufacturing in Singapore.

March 2001: DataPlay announces it will be on the market in October 2001, and announces a deal with BMG for musical content.

June 2001: Firm, now with 160 employees, announces another $55 million in investment, this time from investors including Olympus, Kodak, and Boulder-based Sequel Venture Partners. Imation Corp. says it will manufacture the discs in the United States.

February 2002: DataPlay Inc. and Taiwan-based Kinpo Electronics unveil the first digital camera designed to use DataPlay's digital media.

March 2002: DataPlay announces content deal with Zomba Recording, with a stable of artists including Britney Spears, 'NSync and R. Kelly. Company hopes to raise another $50 million in venture capital, says it will be on the market in June.

May 2002: DataPlay Inc. said it finalized an agreement with BMGs Arista Records, with such artists as Pink and Usher.

Monday: DataPlay announces deal with BMGs RCA Label Group in Nashville, Tenn., with country music stars like Brooks & Dunn. Says it will be on the market as early as next week.

Friday: After failing to raise additional capital, DataPlay announces it is cutting its 240-member staff in half.
http://www2.dailycamera.com/bdc/business_columnists/article/0,1713,BDC_2466_1290017,00.html
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