FUND DEMOCRACY ENGAGES ADRENALINE TO DESIGN FINANCIAL SERVICES WEBSITE FOR MUTUAL FUND INVESTORS
Advocacy Website to Feature Ratings System, Shareholder Forum
(Washington, DC - July 19, 2000)--
The Adrenaline Group, a leading product strategy consulting and software development firm, announced that it is working with Fund Democracy, a mutual fund shareholder advocacy group founded by a former SEC official, to design and prototype an online financial services Web site that aims to educate and empower mutual fund shareholders. The Web site is central to Fund Democracy's quest to make mutual funds operate in the best interests of their shareholders.
With half of all U.S. households currently investing in mutual funds, the Fund Democracy Web site will ensure that mutual fund shareholders have the independent analysis they need to make informed investment decisions and protect themselves against fraudulent sales practices and other abuses. The Fund Democracy site will provide information and commentary on mutual funds, fund ratings that consider how well funds are run as businesses - not just their managers' stock-picking ability; and the tools for shareholders to take back their funds from fund management.
Adrenaline is guiding Fund Democracy through an intensive product planning process to develop product features and identify technology specifications. The planning engagement focuses on both the software and hardware architecture for the site, including scalability of the site to handle the projected growth of website visitors.
"We needed a technology partner that could match our passion for clarity and ease of use," said Mercer Bullard, president and founder of Fund Democracy. "Adrenaline has the proven experience to help us develop our business goals and identify our users' needs, and to design the technology solutions that will ensure our success."
"Fund Democracy is an entrepreneurial organization that is revolutionizing the way people plan and protect their financial futures," said Wayne Bovier, Adrenaline's User Interface Development practice lead. "Adrenaline will leverage our experience building online financial services products to ensure that the site's functionality and technology infrastructure support Fund Democracy's goals of informing and empowering mutual fund investors."
Fund Democracy plans to launch its full Web site in December 2000. To date, the company has already attracted attention from financial leaders and industry watchdogs as the leader of a broad-based movement for mutual fund reform.
About The Adrenaline Group
Adrenaline (www.adrenaline.com) is a product strategy consulting and software development firm that helps customers bring new products to market. The firm combines small, focused teams and a proven product development process to ship great software products on market-driven schedules.
Adrenaline partners with business leaders to create market dominant products that leverage emerging technologies to provide satisfying experiences for end-user customers. Founded in 1997, Adrenaline has built technology products for over 50 early-stage, venture-backed, and corporate clients including eStudentLoan.com, The Motley Fool, KeepMore.com, CFC, HomeFair.com, Agillion, and e-Satisfy.com. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Austin, Texas.
About Fund Democracy
Fund Democracy serves as an advocate and information source for mutual fund shareholders and their advisers. Fund Democracy provides a voice for mutual fund shareholders by publishing articles that target mutual fund practices, policies and rules that are harmful to fund shareholders and by lobbying legislators and regulators on mutual fund reform. The Fund Democracy Web site will provide truly independent analysis, commentary, advice and fund ratings for mutual fund shareholders, and a menu of unique services for financial planners and other professionals.
