Atlantic.Net Press Releases

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (6/28/99) — Manoj “Marty” Puranik, president and CEO of Gainesville-based Atlantic.Net, was one of 27 Florida entrepreneurs honored last night at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®awards. The event recognized the achievements of Florida entrepreneurs who have demonstrated extraordinary success in their businesses and communities. Puranik, one of the founders of Atlantic.Net, was a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category.

This is the first year Puranik has been nominated for the award. While he did not win, being among the top three was another milestone in what has been a busy year for Atlantic.Net, Florida’s largest privately held Internet service provider. Under Puranik’s leadership, Atlantic.Net has launched service in five new cities and acquired three smaller Internet access companies since January. Last week, the company opened a new office in Ft. Lauderdale and launched a new Web design division, Atlantic.Net Studios. On Wednesday, the company announced the expansion of its Internet access and Web hosting services to the South Florida market.

“The event last night was great and I was honored to be a part of it,” said Puranik. “I’d like to thank my employees for all their hard work and dedication to our company, and Ernst & Young for the recognition.”

Atlantic.Net is one of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in Florida. Revenues have doubled every year since the company was founded. Atlantic.Net’s subscriber base has grown to 22,000 members, and 60 employees have been added to the staff in less than three years. Since 1996, Puranik and his management team have made nine acquisitions and launched services in more than 30 cities. By the end of 1999, Atlantic.Net’s network is expected to span nine states in the southeastern United States.

About Atlantic.Net

In 1995, two University of Florida students launched one of North Florida’s first commercial Internet services, Atlantic.Net.   Over its first seven years, Atlantic.Net acquired 13 Internet service companies and augmented its e-business services to include long-distance services, dial-up, broadband, web solutions, fractional T-1 through DS-3 connectivity, DSL, and ISDN access, Web hosting, Web design, and e-commerce.   Atlantic.Net’s staff has grown to more than 100 employees and has been recognized both Nationally and in Florida as one of the fastest-growing private companies.

To learn more about Atlantic.Net’s complete line of services, call 1.800.422.2936 or visit the Web site at Atlantic.Net.