HAMBRECHT & QUIST

Hambrecht & Quist is an investment bank that focuses on the technology and internet sectors. H&Q was an early player in the technology sector, underwriting IPOs for Apple Computer, Genentech, and Adobe Systems in the 1980s. In the 1990s, H&Q also backed the IPOs of Netscape, MP3.com, and Amazon.com. In 1999 Hambrecht & Quist was acquired for $1.35B by Chase Manhattan Bank. H&Q was originally to be renamed ""Chase Securities West"" but ultimately was renamed ""Chase H&Q"" after marketing research revealed the H&Q brand name was still valuable. This unit eventually lost the H&Q name and is currently part of JPMorgan Chase. Hambrecht & Quist was founded by William Hambrecht and George Quist in California, 1968.