i.c.stars Launches Scholarship Fund with $25,000 Donation from Geneca. DePaul partnership seen as a catalyst for i.c.stars scholarship fundraising

Chicago (January 15, 2007) – i.c.stars, a non-profit technology training organization developing 1,000 community leaders by 2020, today launched a scholarship fund for alumni of the program. Thanks to a generous donation of $25,000 from custom software development firm Geneca with $7,000 designated for scholarships, two alums each year will be awarded scholarships based on their contributions to the community and embodiment of the i.c.stars vision.

In 2006, i.c.stars announced a partnership with DePaul University, where all i.c.stars alums are now given special admission consideration to the CTI and SNL Bachelors’ programs at DePaul. “While the scholarships may be used at any secondary school of their choosing, the DePaul partnership and the i.c.stars scholarship fund will take a lot of the mystery out of the continuing education planning process for our alums�, said Eric Lannert, Vice President at i.c.stars, “We are extremely grateful to our board members and executive volunteers who helped pull these partnerships together.�

Individuals with a GED or high school diploma and six months work experience in any job are eligible to apply to the i.c.stars training program through the website after attending an information session and meeting with other alums. Interested candidates can visit the recruiting site: www.howcanicstars.org.

“The DePaul partnership makes the case for i.c.stars scholarships that much stronger,� said Mark Hattas, CEO at Geneca, “i.c.stars supporters like our firm instinctively know the business value of a degree from a top-tier university like DePaul. And we know the community leadership contributions of i.c.stars graduates, so financially supporting such a specific initiative is a no-brainer.�

Geneca has been an annual i.c.stars sponsor since 2004 and anticipates making a recurring donation to the scholarship fund. i.c.stars plans additional corporate and individual contributions to the fund with a 2007 goal of $15,000.

i.c.stars has experienced very strong employment demand for its 101 alums over the last year, where 100 percent of qualified graduates have found employment in technology jobs. Several alums have recently had as many as four competing offers. The result has been a 25 percent increase in average starting pay for i.c.stars graduates from 2005 to 2006 from $28,000 to $35,000 per year.

As a result, the i.c.stars board of directors has been working overtime to identify the best path for growing capacity in order to achieve the vision of developing 1,000 community leaders by 2020. "We expect to double the size of the program by later this summer," said David Ormesher, CEO of closerlook, and Chairman of the i.c.stars Board of Directors. "Partners like Geneca are enabling that growth. By generously enabling a scholarship fund for i.c.stars graduates, Geneca adds considerable value to the program and for our interns."

About i.c.stars
i.c.stars was founded in 1999 to develop 1,000 community leaders by 2020. Through training in technology, in leadership and in business skills we prepare inner city young people from 18 to 27 years old for high-level careers in information technology (IT). We do this through a project-based training model, through opportunities to meet IT leaders and potential employers, and through leadership training. By integrating technology training, leadership development and business skills, i.c.stars is shaping the next generation of technology and community leaders. i.c.stars is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and can be found at:
www.icstars.org

For more information contact:
Sandee Kastrul
President & Cofounder
312-640-3850

About Geneca
Founded in 1998, Geneca is a privately held custom software development company that creates revenue-generating software for its customers. Geneca uses a propriety risk management methodology to identify, quantify, and mitigate the risks associated with software development projects. Geneca’s clients include FTD, Baxter Credit Union, Mercer, Bacons, Potbelly, and ACNielsen.
www.geneca.com

For more information contact:
jessica.chipkin@geneca.com
847-669-2877