Mayhem Poets Performance Poetry Group Wins Microsoft’s Ultimate Challenge Search for Best Small-Business Idea in America

NEW YORK — March 13, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. announced today that the Mayhem Poets, a performance poetry group, is the winner of the Ultimate Challenge contest (http://www.ideawins.com), a nationwide search for the best small-business idea in America.

The group will receive $100,000 in startup capital, a New York storefront rent-free for one year, and a suite of software and services to help get its business running. The Mayhem Poets, from Jersey City, N.J., plan to open a spoken-word performance workshop and café that celebrates multiculturalism through education and workshops for children of all ages. At night, the café will turn into an open-mike space for spoken-word performances. The winner and Microsoft’s Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Business Division Product Management Group, will be available for interviews on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, immediately following the announcement of the winner.

Who:

The Mayhem Poets, winner of the Ultimate Challenge contest for best small-business idea in America, and Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Business Division Product Management Group at Microsoft Corp.

What:

Interviews available following national announcement of winner in New York

When:

March 13, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

How:

Contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team by phone at (503) 443-7070 or e-mail at [email protected] to arrange an interview.

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