[September 29, 2005] WR Hambrecht + Co Announces Partnership to Introduce OpenIPO in Japan Tweet SAN FRANCISCO --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 29, 2005 -- WR Hambrecht + Co, who pioneered the use of IPO auctions with OpenIPO(R), continues to expand its operations by entering the Japanese market in a partnership with Monex Beans Holdings, Inc. and ZenShin Capital Partners, LLC to implement OpenIPO in Japan. "Monex is a great partner for WRH+Co," said Bill Hambrecht, Chairman and Co-CEO of WR Hambrecht + Co. "Monex is one of the largest online brokerages in Japan and has an important role in the existing distribution of IPOs in that country." "In addition," Hambrecht continued, "approximately 85% of Japanese IPO shares are allocated to individual investors, a much higher percentage than in the United States, and 84% of total stock brokerage transactions in Japan are done by individual investors over the Internet. We think the OpenIPO model makes tremendous sense for the Japanese market." "Monex is very excited and proud to work with WRH+Co," said Oki Matsumoto, President and CEO of Monex Beans, Inc. "We believe that OpenIPO will dramatically improve the price discovery process for IPOs in the Japanese markets. This partnership should benefit both investors and issuers in Japan." WR Hambrecht continues to explore market opportunities, both within and outside the U.S., where OpenIPO can add immediate value. The large numbers of individual investors in Japan and the popularity of online investing in that market are optimal conditions for an auction platform like OpenIPO. About WR Hambrecht + Co: WR Hambrecht + Co (www.wrhambrecht.com) is an investment bank committed to using technology and auction processes to provide open and fair access to financial markets for all its clients. The firm's impartial Internet-based auctions, like OpenIPO(R), allow the market to determine pricing and allocation and have dramatically changed the financial services landscape. WR Hambrecht + Co provides underwriting and advisory services for technology and emerging growth companies, as well as equity research, sales and trading, full-service and online brokerage and private equity offerings for institutions and individuals. WR Hambrecht + Co is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Philadelphia. The firm has financial backing from industry leaders including American Century, Crimson Ventures, epartners, Fidelity Ventures, Instinet Corporation, Novell, Park Avenue Equity Capital Partners, LP, Scudder Kemper, Texas Pacific Group, and W Capital Partners. About Monex Beans Holdings, Inc. Monex Beans was launched in May 2005 by the merger of Monex, Inc.(established 1999) and Nikko Beans, Inc.(established 1999) and is one of the leading online brokerage firms in Japan. Monex Beans offers a full line of products and services -- including stocks, mutual funds, bonds, foreign exchange, commodity futures, etc. -- to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of customers from beginners to active traders. Monex Beans, Inc. is wholly owned by Monex Beans Holdings, which also holds Monex Alternative Investments, Inc., an investment advisory company. About ZenShin Capital Partners ZenShin Capital Partners is a venture capital firm located in California that provides capital and hands on support to companies active in global businesses. Chairman Richard Gitlin is very knowledgeable in businesses between Japan and the United States. He has served as advisor to many countries and the IMF in the corporate restructuring area. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]