IPOs IN REGISTRATION – MotherNature.com Inc. –

CONCORD, Mass. – MotherNature.com Inc., an e-tailer of healthy living products, went public December 10, offering 4.1 million shares at $13 apiece. The company’s stock priced at the top of its $11 to $13 filing range.

Bear, Sterns & Co., Hambrecht & Quist Group and Wit Capital Corp. underwrote the initial public offering, which left 15 million shares outstanding.

CMGI Inc., Morgenthaler Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Rodale Inc., Group Arnault, North Castle Partners LLC, Chestnut Hill Nature LLC and Barnard & Co. were venture backers. There were no selling shareholders.

The company’s Web site offers health-conscious consumers with some 13,000 products such as vitamins, minerals, supplements, herbs, alternative medicines, bath and body products, as well as books and pet care items.

The $48.8 million in proceeds expected from the IPO will be used for advertising and marketing. In addition, the company may use a portion of the proceeds to fund future operating losses and for general corporate purposes.

MotherNature.com has never generated a profit, losing $159,532 in 1997 and $7 million in 1998.

Keith Kerman, a general partner at Morgenthaler, joined the company’s board in June 1997, followed in September 1998 by Marc Poirier, a general partner at CMGI. Brent Knudsen, a managing director at North Castle, joined the board in December 1998.

MotherNature.com – Selected Financial

(in thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31 Nine Months Ended September 30

1996 1997 1998 1998* 1999*

Total revenue 21.5 193 476.5 371.1 2,589

Net loss -80.7 -159.532 -7,012 -3,810 -33,786

Net loss per share -0.19 -0.25 -10.43 -5.69 -39.89

*Unaudited