Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), the world leader in semiconductor design software, today announced that Dr. Aart de Geus, Synopsys CEO and Chairman of the Board, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in Information Technology by the professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. Dr. de Geus was selected from 24 finalists in Northern California by an independent panel of judges on the basis of his leadership in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to business and communities. The award was announced at a banquet on June 18, 2004, at the Fairmont San Francisco.

"This award represents the many achievements of our employees and customers, who have made Synopsys the number one company in the EDA industry," stated de Geus. "I am honored to work with such a world-class team."

In the cutting-edge category of Information Technology, leaders must move forward at lightening speed in the face of mergers, acquisitions and public offerings -- toward the ultimate goal of producing a product that's better, faster and cost-effective.

Since co-founding Synopsys in 1986, de Geus has expanded Synopsys from a start-up synthesis enterprise to the electronic design automation (EDA) industry leader. He is considered one of the world's leading experts on logic simulation and logic synthesis and a visionary for the electronics industry. Today, Synopsys technology can be found in most of the world's chips.

Synopsys provides design and verification tools and methodologies that enable the design of entire electronic systems on a single silicon chip. Additionally, the company's solutions include pre-designed and pre-verified blocks of intellectual property (IP), technology to address yield and manufacturing issues early in the design process, and consulting services. Synopsys customers span an array of industries, including semiconductor, computer, communications, consumer electronics, aerospace and automotive.

De Geus will be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 national program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the Overall National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, CA, on November 20, 2004.

About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards Program

The Entrepreneur of the Year awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is the world leader in EDA software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading semiconductor design and verification platforms and IC manufacturing software products to the global electronics market, enabling the development and production of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 60 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/ .

NOTE: Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.

CONTACT: Yvette Huygen of Synopsys, Inc., +1-650-584-4547, or
yvetteh@synopsys.com; or Andrea Zils of Edelman Public Relations,
+1-650-968-4033, or andrea.zils@edelman.com

Web site: http://www.synopsys.com/