Tanner Research Inc. President and Founder Receives Greater Los Angeles Area Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Award
John Tanner Recognized as One of 23 Finalists for Regional Award

For Release after 6-26-01
(626) 471-9700

June 26, 2001, Pasadena, CA - Tanner Research, Inc., a leader in innovative electronic design solutions and the leading supplier of custom integrated circuit design software for personal computers, announced that Dr. John Tanner, president and founder, has been named a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® (EOY) in the Technology/Communications category for the Greater Los Angeles region.

Dr. Tanner has been recognized as one of the top three technology entrepreneurs in 2001 for his proven success in developing high-tech, yet affordable software solutions for integrated circuit design, and other microelectronic technologies since 1988. As president, John has grown the business from three employees to more than 80 and achieved annual growth of 40%, with no outside investors and profitability recorded for the last six of seven years. Tanner's L-Edit Pro™ is the market-leading, mixed-signal and IC design layout editor for the personal computer.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have sustained successful, growing business ventures. Founded and produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young, the EOY award is nationally sponsored by USA Today, CNN and CNNfn, The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The EOY program, which originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is now in its 15th year with U.S. nominees growing from 1,100 to almost 4,000 in the year 2000.

Los Angeles' finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges consisting of community business, civic and academic leaders as well as prior year EOY award winners.

About Tanner Research, Inc.

Tanner Research, Inc., founded in 1988, is a leading provider of innovative software and services for electronic design. Tanner EDA, a division of Tanner Research, was the first provider of custom IC layout, verification and simulation software for the PC and has sold over 12,000 licenses worldwide. To streamline the design process, Tanner Research also provides training and consulting services for its customers. The areas of consulting expertise include integrated circuit and micro-electro-mechanical systems design. The advanced research and development arm of Tanner Research is focused on applications that promise to deliver unprecedented capabilities, including image processing, speech recognition, laser interferometry, and optical communication. More information about the company, its products and services can be found at www.tanner.com.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, helps clients to quickly and confidently make financial decisions designed to enhance value. Its 77,000 people in more than 130 countries have the industry and financial experience to provide fresh perspectives on operating successfully in the new economy. Ernst & Young offers traditional audit and tax services, as well as customized services in corporate finance, online security, risk management, the valuation of intangibles and e-business acceleration. In addition, legal services are available in various parts of the world where permitted. A collection of Ernst & Young's latest ideas on the new economy can be found at www.ey.com/thoughtcenter.

Ernst & Young refers to the U.S. firm of Ernst & Young LLP and other members of the global Ernst & Young organization. Entrepreneur of the Year is a registered service mark of Ernst & Young LLP.