Lexington, Massachusetts-based Applied Technology Inc reports that it has invested in two early stage information industry companies. Environmental Audit Inc, headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, maintains databases of environmental records from federal, state and local agencies, and Argosy Holding Group, in Wellesley, Massachusetts claims to have pioneered the concept of the simulated game. The company reckons Environmental Audit is a winner because heightened concern over liability for environmental hazards and the requirements of environmental legislation has made environmental data extremely important, and the company’s data and reports are used for environmental risk analysis in property purchases, corporate acquisitions and other financial transactions. It claims to have the most comprehensive database of US state environmental records and dates back to 1987. The company plans to provide on-line access via relationships with public electronic mail service providers. In addition to Applied Technology, the investors in the company include Gibraltar Trust and First Century Partners, a Smith Barney affiliate. Argosy Holding Group claims it pioneered the concept of the simulated game and is now introducing The Sports Challenge, using the principles of Rotisserie baseball to enable players to act as managers of their own simulated professional football team constructed of players actually playing in the National Football League. The game is aimed at the general public, enabling the sports fan to match his judgement against the professional team managers and owners. Participants in Argosy’s Wall Street Games compete to determine who is the best investor. Starting with a stake of $10,000, they execute simulated stock trades via the company’s broker, which is real except that the trades are performed only on paper; the portfolio results are tracked daily using real prices; and at the end of the quarter the best receive real prizes. Founded in 1987, Argosy has 100,000 customers and a $7m turnover. Applied Technology invested in these firms via Technologies for Information & Publishing Limited Partnership; investments were not given.
