AcceLight Networks Inc. is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma wrapped up in a HUGE stack of unreturned phone calls. Seriously, what is up with that company?

The company received $10 million in funding during the third quarter of this year, according to the latest MoneyTree Survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Venture Economics, and National Venture Capital Association. But this very company that once scoffed at the idea that it was hibernating is said to have cut its staff to the bone, despite the fresh funding (see Bear Market Inspires Hibernation).

In October, AcceLight laid off 26 of its 40 employees in its Pittsburgh office. Another 100 were cut from its Ottawa operation, according to many of the workers affected (see Startups Make More Cuts). Now, one Headcount source says that 40 more have been cut in Ottawa and the Pittsburgh office is completely vacant, save a few administrative folk.

We once wondered if that old bear AcceLight was hibernating. Now it appears it's about to be used for a fireplace rug. Headcount's calls to the marketing and PR staff (who were cut) were bounced to Denny Lee, director of product management, who never called back. Grrrr!

Is it time to bid hasta la vista to Alvesta Inc? The company, backed by Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY) and Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC), last announced a round of funding in November 2001. Since then, several Headcount sources say, the company has gone under. Founder and chief technology officer Dubravko Babic called Headcount to say he needs to find out what he can say about the company, so he can't tell us anything right now. Headcount wonders: Is it a good thing when the company's own founder must take an entire week to get permission to talk on the telephone?

Does Yotta mean "toast" in some other language? Richardson, Texas-based Yotta Networks Inc. has closed its doors. At its peak, the company employed more than 100 people, including former Alcatel hotshot Scott Rothrock (see Scott Rothrock, from Alcatel to Yotta Networks).

Readers, please note that Yotta Networks is not the same company as YottaYotta Inc. ("ToastToast"), the storage networking vendor based in Canada.

BitBlitz Communications Inc. cut a chunk of its staff after raising$12.3 million in Series C funding last month, according to a recent report by VentureWire. Headcount stands by (idly reading) their story.

Oresis Communications shut its doors last week, according to Headcount sources. Observers say the company's demise was sickly humorous, like the Black Knight's final battle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like Tachion Networks and several other startups, Oresis was deadset building a Class 5 switch replacement that handled data and voice traffic. The company at one time employed more than 200 and had raised more than $100 million in venture capital funding. It filed for bankruptcy in early November and cut the staff to 15 as it galloped about the country looking for a buyer and clapping coconuts together to make the sound of horses' hooves.

The Canadian press reports that Antoine Paquin has joined a wireless semiconductor technology startup in southern California. Headcount doesn't know which startup Paquin has joined, but assumes that wireless semi-startups can't possibly be as plentiful on the ground there as oxygen bars and wheatgrass shakes.

Paquin founded Skystone Systems in 1995 and helped sell it to Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) in 1997. Later he led Philsar Semiconductor until it was bought by Conexant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CNXT) in 2000. Either Mr. Paquin once had a hot hand for dealing semiconductor startups, or the poor lad just can't hold down a job.

Telecom analyst Liza Henderson sent a note to reporters and friends announcing that she is no longer with TeleChoice Inc.. Headcount wonders if she Telechose to quit or if she was Teletold to get out.

Bob Shingler, has clawed his way to the president's office at Broadwing Inc. (NYSE: BRW). Shingler joined Broadwing in April 2002 as president of voice services. Just as Shingler settled into his new digs, Broadwing cut 500 employees, including 200 in Austin, Texas, according to the Austin Business Journal. Some former Broadwing employees now bitterly joke about being on "Shingler's List."

Just wondering... has Corona Networks Inc. finally taken its last drink of life? And what's the scene at Alidian Networks Inc. like these days? Headcount implores its raucous readers to come through with some dish on these entities so we can put to rest a pile of unconfirmed rumors on our desk.

D'oh! After being whipped by speculation, Coriolis Networks Inc. did let go nine out of its 100 employees this past week, the company reported (see Shooting Stars).

Here's a summary of other industry appointments (and disappointments) from the past several days:

Qwest Purge Continues

Axe Falls at Broadcom

Arris Trims Down

Qtera Founder Joins VC Firm

MetraTech Hires Dudman

Agilent CEO Hops on Board

Carlyle Group Names Chairman

Avanex Gets New CEOWhew! What a week. Headcount needs to go rest our drumsticks. If we missed anything, send a tip to [email protected].

— Phil Harvey and Marguerite Reardon, Senior Editors, Light Reading
www.lightreading.com