February 12, 2003


Via Facsimile and Hand Delivery

To the Board of Directors of Hoover's, Inc.
c/o Mr. Jeffrey Tarr,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hoover's, Inc.
5800 Airport Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78752

Dear Mr. Tarr:

Austin Ventures and Marathon Partners, L.P. thank you for your consideration
of our proposal dated February 6, 2003, and for the cooperation and assistance
provided by the Board of Directors, the officers and the staff of Hoover's in
connection with our due diligence efforts. Based on our discussions, and after
further consideration, we have decided to withdraw our proposal.

Very truly yours,

AUSTIN VENTURES
By: _______________________________


MARATHON PARTNERS, L.P.
By: Cibelli Capital Management, LLC
its general partner
By: _______________________________
Mario Cibelli, Managing Member




03366.0001 #385487