Follow-on Investment

Brainspark PLC
13 June 2000


                               BRAINSPARK plc

               PETSPARK.COM RECEIVES FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENT FROM
                    CROSS ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY FUND (XATF)

Brainspark,  the  incubator  business focused on germinating  and  developing
Internet  related  businesses, today announced a further round  of  follow-on
funding for Petspark.com, one of its incubated companies.

Petspark.com  has  raised a follow-on investment of $2.5 million  from  Cross
Atlantic  Technology Fund  for the continuing development of its online  pet-
care  business.  Cross  Atlantic Technology  Fund,  which  is  providing  the
investment, is a venture capital fund focused on investing in the US, Ireland
and  the  UK,  establishing  a  bridge between North  American  and  European
markets.  The  fund  is a subsidiary of the US based Cross  Atlantic  Capital
Partners.

This second round of funding follows the $7 million investment last month  by
Pets.com, the leading pet portal in the US.

Petspark.com will use these funds to continue to expand its content  offering
in  its aim to be number one in the UK online petcare market and to build its
brand throughout Europe.

Petspark.com, who were last week the subject of a BBC documentary about start-
up  internet  ventures, offers pet owners a specialized range of  pet-related
services including a broad selection of pet food and accessories, information
and  expert advice from veterinarians and animal behaviourists. In  addition,
the  web  site features an extensive range of new health alternative remedies
and  also an area for children to play fun, interactive and educational games
in a safe environment.

The  UK pet industry is worth £2 billion and is the largest in Europe.  There
are over 52 million pets in the UK, with over half of all households owning a
pet.  The  UK offers great opportunities for online pet retailers  since  the
bricks and mortar pet retailers are very fragmented, with no one chain owning
more than 11% of the market.

Brainspark has invested in twelve companies, three of which have successfully
completed external funding rounds.

Stewart Dodd, Brainspark's Chief Executive, said:

'We  have  worked  on a number of successful projects with XATF  who  have  a
superb  understanding of the industry.  Our partnership with XATF is  a  good
example  of  how  we  can  create  value-added  benefits  at  each stage of a
company's  life-cycle.  This  round  of  funding,  which  follows  Pets.com's 
recent investment  is a testament to the strength of Petspark.com's management
team and  its  sound business strategy.  Petspark.com  is  ideally  placed  to
establish itself as Europe's leading pets portal.'

Nicholas Barnard, Petspark.com's Chief Executive said:

'We  are  delighted  to be working with XATF, who have an enormous wealth  of
experience  in  the  technology sector. The funds raised  will  allow  us  to
develop our mould breaking multi-channel proposition and to continue to build
our brand image and improve our online offering.'


Enquiries:

Brainspark (020 7843 6600)              Petspark Ltd (020 7843 6800)
Stewart Dodd                            Nicholas Barnard
David Hart                              Adrian Marrullier

Citigate Dewe Rogerson (020 7638 9571)
Martin Jackson / Charles Vivian