SEATTLE, WA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/05/06 -- Escapia (www.escapia.com), makers of the leading web-based application for managing vacation rentals, today announced the completion of funding with an aggregate value of $2 million. The investment is being led by online travel executive and vacation rental pioneer Steven D. Murch. Buerk Dale Victor, which led the company's initial Series A financing, and several other individual investors also participated.

Escapia's suite of web-based vacation rental software simplifies how professional vacation rental managers run their companies by enabling online reservations, streamlining reservation management, opening up new sources of revenue, enhancing security and providing unparalleled flexibility in running vacation rental businesses. Today Escapia powers the back office as well as vacation rental web sites for well over 100 companies with online availability, booking and direct integration with their reservation desks.

The new financing allows the company to build on an impressive track record of growth. During the past twelve months, Escapia has doubled its account base and the number of units managed by its clients has increased by 121%. Even more impressive has been the growth rate in bookings through the Escapia platform this year, which have grown by more than 200% over the same period in 2005.

The company's CEO Bill Furlong said, "Escapia is demonstrating significant progress on all fronts. In 2006 we've seen a dramatic acceleration in our business results as well as significant upgrades to our back office software and fully integrated Web Portal sites. So we're thrilled to have secured additional funding to accelerate the development of new features for our clients and continue our role as the innovation leader in the vacation rental software and services business."

Steve Murch, the lead investor in this round of funding, is a seasoned online travel executive, entrepreneur, and Chairman of Escapia. As the founder and CEO of VacationSpot.com, one of the first online vacation rental directories, Mr. Murch has been working to help vacation rental managers capitalize on the growth of the Internet for a decade. "Today, more than ever, the Internet is transforming how professional vacation rental managers manage their businesses, reach customers and owners, partner with others, and market their properties," said Murch. "Escapia has built a remarkably innovative and robust software platform for vacation rental managers; with the Escapia platform, we intend to dramatically simplify and improve the way that vacation rentals are managed, marketed and booked."

"Escapia is a compelling investment for Buerk Dale Victor because it has a track record of delivering innovative products and services that provide unparalleled value to its clients," said Todd Marker, Principal at Buerk Dale Victor. "The company was the first to recognize the opportunity of a web software solution for professional vacation rental managers and to deliver a breakthrough product. With this new level of funding, the company will have the chance to significantly expand its products and services."

About Escapia

Escapia, Inc., founded in 2000, is leading the internet revolution in the $25 billion vacation rental industry with web-based on-demand software. Escapia software empowers professional vacation rental management companies to reach new customers, manage properties and owner relationships, and perform trust-based accounting, housekeeping, maintenance and other mission critical aspects of their businesses. Escapia Vacation Rental Suite is a comprehensive software suite for vacation rental companies to get more done in their workday. Seattle-based Escapia can be reached at 1-800-ESCAPIA (1-800-372-2742), info@escapia.com or via the web at www.escapia.com.

About Steve Murch

Steve Murch is a software, Internet and travel industry veteran, and has led the creation of several significant businesses over the past two decades. Mr. Murch co-founded and led online vacation rental network VacationSpot.com in 1997, which grew rapidly to 25,000 vacation rental properties and was purchased by Expedia in 2000 for $87 million in Expedia stock. At Expedia, Steve led the team that created the online travel industry's first dynamic vacation packaging service, as well as the destination activities business for Expedia, which together generate billions of dollars in annual gross bookings. Prior to founding VacationSpot.com, as an executive at Microsoft Corporation, Mr. Murch conceived and managed its Internet gaming strategy, leading the Internet Gaming Zone (now the MSN Gaming Zone), today's largest Web-based gaming network, which planted the seeds for Xbox Live. He was also instrumental in Microsoft's development and launch of Microsoft Access and acquisition of Fox Software, and helped develop three technology/e-commerce patents for Microsoft and Expedia. He has keynoted multiple times at the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) annual conference, and is also on the board of Adventure Central (www.adventurecentral.com), an online adventure travel startup. Mr. Murch holds a BS in business and computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, an MS in Computer Science from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard University, where he graduated a Baker Scholar.

About Buerk Dale Victor

Buerk Dale Victor LLC is a Pacific Northwest private equity firm dedicated to creating superior returns for our investors by partnering with emerging growth companies. With over 175 years of investment and operational expertise, Buerk Dale Victor is uniquely positioned to help entrepreneurs build successful, enduring businesses. Founded in 1999, BDV currently manages over $65 million from high net worth and institutional investors. The firm invests primarily in the business and consumer products/services, growth stage applied technology, and financial services industries. For more information visit www.bdvllc.com.

Escapia and the Escapia logo are trademarks of Escapia, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information:
Kris Lande
Ph. 206-832-0241
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