Eighteen Universities Implement Blackboard's BbOne(SM) Off-Campus Merchant Program in 2005

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 16, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) announced today that it has added eighteen universities to its growing roster of BbOne(SM) clients. The most recent BbOne additions include: Binghamton University, Cazenovia College, Cleveland State University, Colorado School of Mines, Creighton University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Georgia College & State University, Hartwick College, John Carroll University, Kirkwood Community College, Olivet Nazarene University, Sacramento State University, Southern University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity College, University of Maine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas and West Chester University. BbOne enables students and faculty at these universities to use their university ID cards as a form of payment with off-campus merchants.

"We are delighted about the addition of these new schools to the BbOne program," said Michael Chasen, CEO of Blackboard. "It's particularly exciting to see schools representing such a variety of regions and disciplines. We think this demonstrates the value of BbOne across the board. No matter what the size, location or mission of a school -- BbOne will help enhance the educational experience for the campus community members and surrounding merchants."

Each of these BbOne agreements represents an extension of Blackboard(R) services beyond the central university to the greater community. Several of these universities are active users of the Blackboard Learning System(TM), the company's flagship e-learning platform for online course development, and also rely on the Blackboard Transaction System(TM) for managing student debit accounts online.

"The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is pleased to utilize the BbOne program to expand acceptance of the Rebelcard, to off-campus merchants," said Alex Herzog, Associate Director of One Card Services, at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "Over the last five years we have partnered with Blackboard to allow for growth of our transaction system and the services we offer at the University. After several rounds of number crunching, it was obvious that the only real solution for UNLV to create an off-campus program was through BbOne. We have found Blackboard solutions to be a great benefit to our students."

BbOne is part of the Blackboard Commerce Suite(TM), a package of three enterprise software applications supporting cashless transactions on-campus, off-campus and online and allowing for identification and security access. By utilizing an existing student debit account at the university, BbOne provides students with a safe, secure, cashless and convenient way to make transactions on- and off-campus, while assuring parents that their funds will be spent within a university approved merchant network.

About Blackboard

Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere by connecting people and technology. With two product suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite(TM) and the Blackboard Commerce Suite(TM), Blackboard is used by millions of people at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

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Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 15, 2006 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of February 16, 2006. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to February 16, 2006.

Blackboard Public Relations Manager:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
+1 202 463-4860 ext. 2404

Media Inquiries:
Dan Baum
DBC Public Relations
+1 202-298-7600 ext. 205

SOURCE: Blackboard Inc.