<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2


                              INVENTA CORPORATION

                         ____________________________

            SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                         ____________________________

                               February 14, 1997
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                   <C>
1.   Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Stock....................  1

     1.1   Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock..............  1
     1.2   Closing Date; Delivery.....................................  1

2.   Representations and Warranties of the Company....................  1

     2.1   Organization, Good Standing and Qualification..............  1
     2.2   Capitalization.............................................  2
     2.3   Subsidiaries...............................................  2
     2.4   Authorization..............................................  2
     2.5   Valid Issuance of Securities...............................  2
     2.6   Governmental Consents......................................  2
     2.7   Litigation.................................................  3
     2.8   Patent and Trademarks......................................  3
     2.9   Compliance with Other Instruments..........................  4
     2.10  Disclosure.................................................  4
     2.11  Registration Rights........................................  4
     2.12  Title to Property and Assets...............................  4
     2.13  Financial Statements.......................................  5
     2.14  Changes....................................................  5
     2.15  Minute Books...............................................  6
     2.16  Labor Agreements and Actions...............................  6
     2.17  Employee Plans.............................................  7
     2.18  Employees..................................................  7
     2.19  Tax Returns and Payments...................................  7
     2.20  Agreements; Action.........................................  7
     2.21  Obligations to Related Parties.............................  8
     2.22  Qualified Small Business...................................  9
     2.23  Real Property Holding Corporation..........................  9
     2.24  Insurance..................................................  9
     2.25  Investment Company Act.....................................  9

3.   Representations and Warranties of the Investors..................  9

     3.1   Authorization..............................................  9
     3.2   Purchase Entirely for Own Account..........................  9
     3.3   Disclosure of Information.................................. 10
     3.4   Economic Risk.............................................. 10
     3.5   Restricted Securities...................................... 10
     3.6   Further Limitations on Disposition......................... 10
     3.7   Legends.................................................... 11

4.   California Commissioner of Corporations.......................... 11

     4.1   Corporate Securities Law................................... 11
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (Continued)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
5.   Conditions of Investor's Obligations at Closing.................. 11

     5.1  Representations and Warranties.............................. 11
     5.2  Performance................................................. 12
     5.3  Articles of Incorporation................................... 12
     5.4  Compliance Certificate...................................... 12
     5.5  Shareholders Agreement...................................... 12
     5.6  Opinion of Company's Counsel................................ 12

6.   Conditions of the Company's Obligations at Closing............... 12

     6.1  Representations and Warranties.............................. 12
     6.2  Payment of Purchase Price................................... 12
     6.3  Legal Matters............................................... 12

7.   Covenants of the Company......................................... 12

     7.1  Delivery of Financial Statements............................ 12
     7.2  Inspection Rights........................................... 13
     7.3  Reservation of Common Stock................................. 13
     7.4  Proprietary Information Agreement........................... 13
     7.5  Termination of Information Covenant......................... 13
     7.6  Board of Directors.......................................... 13

8.   Miscellaneous.................................................... 13

     8.1  Survival of Warranties...................................... 13
     8.2  Transfer; Successors and Assigns............................ 14
     8.3  Governing Law............................................... 14
     8.4  Counterparts................................................ 14
     8.5  Titles and Subtitles........................................ 14
     8.6  Notices..................................................... 14
     8.7  Finder's Fee................................................ 14
     8.8  Expenses.................................................... 14
     8.9  Amendments and Waivers...................................... 14
     8.10 Severability................................................ 15
     8.11 Entire Agreement............................................ 15
     8.12 Exculpation Among Investors................................. 15
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (Continued)


                                   EXHIBITS
                                   --------


EXHIBIT A  Schedule of Investors

EXHIBIT B  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

EXHIBIT C  Schedule of Exceptions to Representations and Warranties

EXHIBIT D  Form of Proprietary Information Agreement

EXHIBIT E  Shareholders Agreement

EXHIBIT F  Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

            SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
            -------------------------------------------------------


     THIS SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement")
is made as of the 14th day of February 1997 by and between Inventa Corporation,
a California corporation (the "Company"), and the persons and entities listed on
the Schedule of Investors attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Investors").

     THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

     1.    Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Stock
           ---------------------------------------------

           1.1   Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock.
                 ---------------------------------------------

                 (a)      The Company shall adopt and file with the Secretary of
State of California on or before the Closing (as defined below) the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

                 (b)      Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the Investors agree to purchase at the Closing and the Company agrees to sell
and issue to the Investors at the Closing that number of shares of the Company's
Series B Preferred Stock (the "Shares") for the aggregate purchase price set
forth opposite each Investor's name on Exhibit A attached hereto, at a purchase
price equal to $1.25 per share of Series B Preferred Stock.

           1.2   Closing Date; Delivery. The purchase and sale of the Shares
                 ----------------------
shall take place at the offices of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, 650 Page
Mill Road, Palo Alto, California, at 9:00 a.m., on February 14, 1997, or at such
other time and place as the Company and the Investors mutually agree upon,
orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the "Closing"). At
the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Investor a certificate
representing the Shares which such Investor is purchasing against delivery to
the Company by such Investor of a check made payable to the Company or wire
transfer of the aggregate purchase price therefor.

     2.    Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby
           ---------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Investors that, except as set forth on a Schedule
of Exceptions attached hereto as Exhibit C, specifically identifying the
relevant subparagraph hereof, which exceptions shall be deemed to be
representations and warranties as if made hereunder:

           2.1   Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Company is a
                 ---------------------------------------------
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of California and has all requisite corporate power and authority
to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The
Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify would have a material adverse
effect on its business or properties.
<PAGE>

           2.2   Capitalization. The authorized capital of the Company will
                 --------------
consist, immediately prior to the Closing, of (i) 3,560,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, 1,000,000 shares of which are designated Series A Preferred Stock and of
which 800,000 are issued and outstanding, and 2,560,000 shares of which are
designated Series B Preferred and of which none are issued and outstanding, and
(ii) 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 4,542,696 shares are issued and
outstanding. The Company has reserved 1,350,000 shares of its Common Stock for
issuance pursuant to its 1993 Stock Option Plan. Except as set forth in the
Schedule of Exceptions attached as Exhibit C hereto, there are no outstanding
options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights) or
agreements, orally or in writing, for the purchase or acquisition from the
Company of any shares of its capital stock.

           2.3   Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in the Schedule of
                 ------------
Exceptions,Company does not presently own or control, directly or indirectly,
any interest in any other corporation, association, or other business entity.

           2.4   Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company,
                 -------------
its officers, directors and shareholders necessary for the authorization,
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of all obligations of
the Company hereunder and the authorization, issuance and delivery of the Shares
has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing, and this Agreement
constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
in accordance with its terms. The Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement, when executed and delivered, will be valid and
binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms,
except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights; (ii) general principles of equity that restrict the
availability of equitable remedies; and (iii) to the extent that the
enforceability of the indemnification provisions in Section 10 of the
Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable laws. The sale of the
Shares and the subsequent conversion of the Shares into Common Stock are not and
will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that
have not been properly waived or complied with.


           2.5   Valid Issuance of Securities.
                 ----------------------------

                 (a)    The Shares that are being issued to the Investors
hereunder, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof
for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the Shares have been duly and validly reserved for issuance.

                 (b)    The shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
outstanding prior to the Closing are all duly and validly authorized and issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in compliance with all applicable
state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities.

           2.6   Governmental Consents. No consent, approval, order or
                 ---------------------
authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or
filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority on the part of
the Company is required in connection with the consummation

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (a) the filing
pursuant to Section 25102(f) of the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968,
as amended, and the rules thereunder, which filing will be effected in
accordance with such section, and (b) compliance with the Blue Sky Laws of the
various states in which the Investors may reside, which compliance will be
effected in accordance with such laws. The Company currently holds all licenses,
permits, franchises, registrations and qualifications which may be required to
conduct its business, and all such licenses, permits, franchises, registrations
and qualifications are valid and in full force and effect.

          2.7    Litigation. Except as set forth in the Schedule of Exceptions,
                 ----------
there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or currently
threatened against the Company that questions the validity of this Agreement or
the right of the Company to enter into it, or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, or that might result, either individually or in the
aggregate, in any material adverse changes in the assets, condition, affairs or
prospects of the Company, financially or otherwise, or any change in the current
equity ownership of the Company, nor is the Company aware that there is any
basis for the foregoing. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions
pending or threatened (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the
prior employment of any of the Company's employees, their use in connection with
the Company's business of any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to
any of their former employers, or their obligations under any agreements with
prior employers. The Company is not a party or subject to the provisions of any
order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or
instrumentality. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the
Company currently pending or which the Company intends to initiate.

           2.8   Patent and Trademarks. To its knowledge, the Company owns or
                 ---------------------
possesses sufficient legal rights to all patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, information and other proprietary rights
and processes necessary for its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted, without any known infringement of the rights of others. There are no
outstanding options, licenses or agreements of any kind relating to the
foregoing, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or
agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other
proprietary rights and processes of any other person or entity other than such
licenses or agreements arising from the purchase or sale of "off the shelf" or
standard products. The Company has not received any communications alleging that
the Company has violated or, by conducting its business as proposed, would
violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights
or trade secrets or other proprietary rights of any other person or entity. The
Company is not aware that any of its employees is obligated under any contract
(including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement,
or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative
agency, that would interfere with their duties to the Company or that would
conflict with the Company's business as proposed to be conducted. Neither the
execution nor delivery of this Agreement, nor the carrying on of the Company's
business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Company's
business as proposed, will, to the Company's knowledge, conflict with or result
in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default
under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any employee is now
obligated. The Company does not believe it is or will be necessary to utilize
any inventions, trade secrets or

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

proprietary information of any of its employees made prior to their employment
by the Company, except for inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information
that have been assigned to the Company.

           2.9   Compliance with Other Instruments.
                 ---------------------------------

                 (a)  The Company is not in violation or default of any
provisions of its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or of
any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract to which it is a party
or by which it is bound or, to its knowledge, of any provision of federal or
state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any such violation or be in
conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of
notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order,
writ, decree, contract, rule, or statute, or of the Company's Restated Articles
of Incorporation or Bylaws, or an event which results in the creation of any
lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company.


                 (b)  The Company has avoided every condition, and has not
performed any act, the occurrence of which would result in the Company's loss of
any right granted under any license, distribution or other agreement.

         2.10    Disclosure. The Company has fully provided the Investors with
                 ----------
all the information which the Investors have requested for deciding whether to
acquire the Shares and all information which the Company believes is reasonably
necessary to enable the Investors to make such decision. To the Company's
knowledge, there is no material information which materially adversely affects
the business or operations of the Company which has not been disclosed to the
Investors. Neither this Agreement nor any other statements or certificates made
or delivered in connection herewith contains any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements herein
or therein not misleading, except that, with respect to financial projections,
the Company represents only that such projections were prepared in good faith
and that the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for such projections.

         2.12    Registration Rights. Except as set forth in the Registration
                 -------------------
Rights Agreement between the Company and the holders of the Preferred Stock of
the Company, the Company has not granted or agreed to grant any registration
rights, including piggyback rights, to any person or entity.

         2.12    Title to Property and Assets. The Company owns its property and
                 ----------------------------
assets free and clear of all mortgages, liens, loans and encumbrances, except
such encumbrances and liens which arise in the ordinary course of business and
do not materially impair the Company's ownership or use of such property or
assets. With respect to the property and assets it leases, the Company is in
compliance with such leases and, to the best of its knowledge, holds a valid
leasehold interest free of any liens, claims or encumbrances. All facilities,
machinery, equipment, fixtures, vehicles and other

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

properties owned, leased or used by the Company are in good operating condition
and repair (normal wear and tear accepted) and are reasonably fit and usable for
the purposes for which they are being used.

         2.13    Financial Statements. The Company has delivered to the Investor
                 --------------------
(i) its unaudited financial statements (balance sheet and profit and loss
statement and statement of shareholders equity) at November 30, 1996 and the 11
month period then ended and (ii) its reviewed financial statements (balance
sheet and profit and loss statement and statement of shareholders equity) at
December 31, 1995 and for the fiscal year then ended (collectively, the
"Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements are complete and correct in
all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods indicated and with each other. The Financial Statements accurately set
out and describe the financial condition and operating results of the Company as
of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein. Except as set forth in the
Financial Statements, the Company has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise,
of a nature required by generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected
in a balance sheet or disclosed in the notes thereto, other than liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to November 30, 1996.

         2.14    Changes.  Since November 30, 1996 there has not been:
                 -------

                 (a)    any change in the assets, liabilities, financial
condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the
Financial Statements, except changes in the ordinary course of business which
have not been, in the aggregate, materially adverse.

                 (b)    any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered
by insurance, materially and adversely affecting the assets, properties,
financial condition, operating results, prospects or business of the Company (as
such business is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted);

                 (c)    any waiver by the Company of a valuable right or of a
material debt owed to it;

                 (d)    any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim or
encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary
course of business and which is not material to the assets, properties,
financial condition, operating results or business of the Company (as such
business is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted);

                 (e)    any change or amendment to a material contract or
arrangement by which the Company or any of its assets or properties is bound or
to which the Company or any of such assets or properties is subject;

                 (f)    any material change in any compensation arrangement or
agreement with any employee;

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                 (g)    any resignation or termination of any key officers of
the Company; and the Company, to its knowledge, does not know of the impending
resignation or termination of employment of any such officer;

                 (h)    to the knowledge of the Company any material change,
except in the ordinary course of business, in the contingent obligations of the
Company by way of guaranty, endorsement, indemnity, warranty or otherwise;

                 (i)    any direct or indirect loans made by the Company to any
shareholder, employee, officer or director of the Company, other than advances
made in the ordinary course of business or loans to purchase Common Stock;

                 (j)    any material change in any compensation arrangement or
agreement with any employee, officer, director or shareholder other than in the
ordinary course of business;

                 (k)    any declaration or payment of any dividend or other
distribution of the assets of the Company;

                 (l)    any labor organization activity;

                 (m)    any debt, obligation or liability incurred, assumed or
guaranteed by the Company, except those for immaterial amounts and for current
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                 (n)    any sale, assignment or transfer of any patents,
trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets; or

                 (o)    to the Company's knowledge, any other event or condition
of any character which might materially and adversely affect the assets,
properties, financial condition, operating results or business of the Company
(as such business is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted).

         2.15    Minute Books. The Company has offered to provide to the
                 ------------
Investors the minute books of the Company, which contain a complete summary of
all meetings of directors and shareholders since the time of incorporation and
reflect all transactions referred to in such minutes accurately in all material
respects.

         2.16    Labor Agreements and Actions. The Company is not bound by or
                 ----------------------------
subject to (and none of its assets or properties is bound by or subject to) any
written or oral, express or implied, contract, commitment or arrangement with
any labor union, and no labor union has requested or, to the knowledge of the
Company, has sought to represent any of the employees, representatives or agents
of the Company. There is no strike or other labor dispute involving the Company
pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened, which could have a
material adverse effect on the assets, properties, financial condition,
operating results, or business of the Company (as such business

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted), nor is the
Company aware of any labor organization activity involving its employees. The
Company is not aware that any officer or key employee, or that any group of key
employees, intends to terminate their employment with the Company, nor does the
Company have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the
foregoing. The employment of each officer and employee of the Company is
terminable at the will of the Company.

         2.17   Employee Plans. The Company has no "employee welfare benefit
                --------------
plans" as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 ("ERISA"). The Company (i) has not been required to contribute to, (ii)
has not terminated or withdrawn from, and (iii) is not aware of any withdrawal
liability assessed against the Company with respect to any defined benefit plan
as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA or multiemployer plan as defined in Section
4001 of ERISA in which employees or former employees of the Company have
participated.

         2.18   Employees. The Company has not knowingly violated any
                ---------
employment-related laws, including, without limitation, laws relating to equal
employment opportunity, overtime pay and collective bargaining. To the Company's
knowledge, no key employee or sales representative of the Company, and no group
of employees, has any plans to terminate his or her employment with the Company.
Each former and current United States employee and consultant of the Company
with access to confidential or proprietary information has executed a
Proprietary Information Agreement, the form of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit D. To the Company's knowledge, no employee of the Company, nor any
consultant with whom the Company has contracted, is in violation of any term of
any employment contract, proprietary information agreement or any other
agreement relating to the right of any such individual to be employed by, or to
contract with, the Company because of the nature of the business to be conducted
by the Company; and to the Company's knowledge the continued employment by the
Company of its present employees, and the performance of the Company's contracts
with its independent contractors, will not result in any such violation. The
Company has not received any notice alleging that any such violation has
occurred.


         2.19   Tax Returns and Payments. The Company has timely filed all tax
                ------------------------
returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it. All taxes shown
to be due and payable on such returns, any assessments imposed, and to the
Company's knowledge all other taxes due and payable by the Company on or before
the Closing have been paid or will be paid prior to the time they become
delinquent. The Company has not been advised except as set forth in the Schedule
of Exceptions (i) that any of its returns, federal, state or other, have been or
are being audited as of the date hereof, or (ii) of any deficiency in assessment
or proposed judgment to its federal, state or other taxes. The Company has no
knowledge of any liability of any tax to be imposed upon its properties or
assets as of the date of this Agreement that is not adequately provided for.

         2.20   Agreements; Action.
                ------------------

                (a)    Except for agreements explicitly contemplated hereby
including proprietary agreements and agreements between the Company and its
employees with respect to the sale of the Company's Common Stock, and agreements
between the Company and the Holders with

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

respect to their investment, there are no agreements, understandings or proposed
transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, affiliates
or any affiliate thereof.

                 (b)    There are no agreements, understandings, instruments,
contracts, proposed transactions, judgments, orders, writs or decrees to which
the Company is a party or to its knowledge by which it is bound which may
involve (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the
Company in excess of $25,000 (other than obligations of, or payments to, the
Company arising from purchase or sale agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business), or (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trade secret
or other proprietary right to or from the Company (other than licenses arising
from the purchase or sale of "off the shelf" or other standard products), or
(iii) provisions restricting or affecting the development, manufacture or
distribution of the Company's products or services, or (iv) indemnification by
the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights (other than
indemnification obligations arising from purchase or sale agreements entered
into in the ordinary course of business).

                 (c)    The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends,
or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or
series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed
or any other liabilities except as set forth in the Schedule of Exceptions
(other than with respect to dividend obligations, distributions, indebtedness
and other obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or as
disclosed in the Financial Statements) individually in excess of $25,000 or, in
the case of indebtedness and/or liabilities individually less than $25,000, in
excess of $50,000 in the aggregate, (iii) made any loans or advances to any
person, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses, or (iv) sold,
exchanged or otherwise disposed of any material amount of its assets or rights,
other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business.

                 (d)    For the purposes of subsections (b) and (c) above, all
indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts
and proposed transactions involving the same person or entity (including persons
or entities the Company has reason to believe are affiliated therewith) shall be
aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of
such subsections.

                 (e)    The Company has not engaged in the past three (3) months
in any discussion (i) with any representative of any corporation or corporations
regarding the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any such
corporation or corporations, (ii) with any corporation, partnership, association
or other business entity or any individual regarding the sale, conveyance or
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or a
transaction or series of related transactions in which more than fifty percent
(50%) of the voting power of the Company is disposed of, or (iii) regarding any
other form of acquisition, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company.

         2.21    Obligations to Related Parties. There are no obligations of the
                 ------------------------------
Company to officers, directors, shareholders or employees of the Company other
than (a) for payment of salary for services rendered, (b) reimbursement for
reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

(c) for other standard employee benefits made generally available to all
employees (including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option
plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company). Except as set forth in
the Schedule of Exceptions none of the officers, directors or shareholders of
the Company, or any members of their immediate families, are indebted to the
Company or have any direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or
corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a
business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the
Company, except that officers, directors and/or shareholders of the Company may
own stock in publicly traded companies which may compete with the Company. No
officer, director or shareholder, or any member of their immediate families, is,
directly or indirectly, interested in any material contract with the Company
(other than such contracts as relate to any such person's ownership of capital
stock or other securities of the Company). Except as may be disclosed in the
Financial Statements, the Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any
indebtedness of any other person, firm or corporation.

         2.22    Qualified Small Business. The Company represents and warrants
                 ------------------------
to the Investors that, to its knowledge, the Shares should qualify as "Qualified
Small Business Stock" as defined in Section 1202(c) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") as of the date hereof.

         22.3    Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not a real
                 ---------------------------------
property holding corporation within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section
897(c)(2) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

         22.4    Insurance. The Company has or will obtain promptly following
                 ---------
Closing fire and casualty insurance policies with coverage customary for
companies similarly situated to the Company.

         22.5    Investment Company Act. The Company is not an "investment
                 ----------------------
company," or a company "controlled" by an "investment company," within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     3.  Representations and Warranties of the Investors. Each Investor for
         -----------------------------------------------
itself hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

         3.1     Authorization. This Agreement constitutes its valid and legally
                 -------------
binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         3.2     Purchase Entirely for Own Account. This Agreement is made with
                 ---------------------------------
the Investor in reliance upon the Investor's representation to the Company,
which by the Investor's execution of this Agreement the Investor hereby
confirms, that the Shares will be acquired for investment for the Investor's own
account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or
distribution of any part thereof, and that the Investor has no present intention
of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same.
By executing this Agreement, the Investor further represents that the Investor
does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with
any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

any third person, with respect to any of the Shares. The Investor represents
that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement.

          3.3    Disclosure of Information. The Investor believes it has
                 -------------------------
received information that it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding
whether to acquire the Shares. The Investor further represents that it has had
an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding
the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares. The foregoing, however,
does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in
Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to rely thereon.

          3.4    Economic Risk. The Investor has the capacity to protect his own
                 -------------
interests in connection with the purchase of the Shares, is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of investment in the Company, can make an
informed investment decision by reason of (i) his preexisting personal or
business relationship with the Company or any of its officers, directors, or
control persons, or (ii) his business and financial knowledge and experience or
the business and financial knowledge and experience of my professional advisers,
and is able to bear the substantial economic risks of an investment in the
Shares for an indefinite period of time.

          3.5    Restricted Securities. It understands that the shares of Common
                 ---------------------
Stock sold hereunder are characterized as "restricted securities" under the
federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in
a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and
applicable regulations such shares may be resold without registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), only in certain limited
circumstances. In this connection, the Investor represents that he is familiar
with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale
limitations imposed thereby and by the Act.

          3.6    Further Limitations on Disposition. Without in any way limiting
                 ----------------------------------
the representations set forth above, the Investor further agrees not to make any
disposition of all or any portion of the Shares unless and until:

                 (a)     There is then in effect a Registration Statement under
the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in
accordance with such Registration Statement; or

                 (b)     (i) The Investor shall have notified the Company of the
proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed
statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (ii) if
reasonably requested by the Company, the Investor shall have furnished the
Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that
such disposition will not require registration under the Act.

                 (c)     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and
(b) above, no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be
necessary for a transfer by the Investor to a shareholder, partner or other
affiliate of the Investor, if the transferee or transferees agree in writing to
be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if they were the Investor
hereunder.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

          3.7    Legends. It is understood that the Shares, and the shares of
                 -------
Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof and any securities issued in
respect thereof or exchange therefor may bear one or all of the following
legends:

                 (a)  THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN
ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933. SUCH SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
ACCEPTABLE TO IT STATING THAT SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE
REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SAID ACT. COPIES OF THE
AGREEMENT COVERING THE PURCHASE OF THESE SHARES AND RESTRICTING THEIR TRANSFER
MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF
THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
OFFICES OF THE CORPORATION.

                 (b)  Any legend required by the laws of the State of
California, including any legend required by the California Department of
Corporations.

                 (c)  Any legend required by the Blue Sky laws of any other
state to the extent such laws are applicable to the shares represented by the
certificate so legended.

     4.   California Commissioner of Corporations.
          ---------------------------------------

          4.1    Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES THAT
                 ------------------------
IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF
CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE
PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR SUCH SECURITIES PRIOR TO
SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM THE
QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102 OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS
CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON
SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.

     5.   Conditions of Investor's Obligations at Closing. The obligations of
          -----------------------------------------------
the Investors under Section 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the
fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions:

          5.1    Representations and Warranties. The representations and
                 ------------------------------
warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in
all material respects as of the Closing.

          5.2    Performance. The Company shall have performed and complied
                 -----------
with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that
are required to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

          5.3    Articles of Incorporation. The Company shall have filed with,
                 -------------------------
and have had accepted for filing by, the California Secretary of State the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company attached as
Exhibit B hereto.

          5.4    Compliance Certificate. The President of the Company shall
                 ----------------------
deliver to the Investors at the Closing a certificate certifying that the
conditions specified in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 have been fulfilled.

          5.5    Shareholders Agreement. Each key employee of the Company who
                 ----------------------
holds 100,000 shares of the capital stock of the company (on an as-converted
basis and as adjusted for any stock split, stock dividends, combinations,
recapitulations and the like with respect to such Shares) shall have entered
into a Shareholders Agreement with the Company, in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit E.

          5.6    Opinion of Company's Counsel. The Purchasers shall have
                 ----------------------------
received from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, counsel to the Company, an
opinion addressed to them, dated the Closing Date, in substantially the form of
Exhibit F.

     6.   Conditions of the Company's Obligations at Closing. The obligations
          --------------------------------------------------
of the Company to the Investors under this Agreement are subject to the
fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions by
the Investor:

          6.1    Representations and Warranties. The representations and
                 ------------------------------
warranties of the Investors contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct in
all material respects as of the Closing.

          6.2    Payment of Purchase Price. The Investors shall have delivered
                 -------------------------
to the Company the purchase price specified in Section 1.1 hereof.

          6.3    Legal Matters. All material matters of a legal nature which
                 -------------
pertain to this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have
been reasonably approved by counsel to the Company.

     7.   Covenants of the Company.
          ------------------------

          7.1    Delivery of Financial Statements. The Company shall deliver
                 --------------------------------
to each Investor who continues to hold at least 50,000 Shares (or the Common
Stock into which the Shares have been converted) (as adjusted for any stock
split, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like with
respect to such Shares), and as long as such Investor or a principal, partner or
manager of such Investor, is not employed by or associated with a competitor of
the Company:

                 (a)  as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year
of the Company an income statement for such fiscal year, a balance sheet of the
Company as of the end of such year and in any event within 120 days thereafter,
and a schedule as to the sources and applications of funds for such year, such
year-end financial reports to be audited and in reasonable detail, prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP");

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                 (b)  as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal
quarter of the Company, and in any event within 30 days thereafter, an unaudited
profit or loss statement and schedule as to the sources and application of funds
for each quarterly reporting period; and

                 (c)  within ten (10) days of the end of each month, an
unaudited balance sheet as of the end of such month.

          7.2    Inspection Rights. Each Investor shall have the right to visit
                 -----------------
and inspect any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and
to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries with its officers, and to review such information as is reasonably
requested all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably
requested; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated under this
Section 7.2 with respect to a competitor of the Company or with respect to
information which the Board of Directors determines in good faith is
confidential and should not, therefore, be disclosed.

          7.3    Reservation of Common Stock. The Company will at all times
                 ---------------------------
reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and delivery upon the conversion
of the Preferred Stock, all Common Stock issuable from time to time upon such
conversion (the "Conversion Stock").

          7.4    Proprietary Information Agreement. The Company shall require
                 ---------------------------------
all employees and consultants to execute and deliver a Proprietary Information
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

          7.5    Termination of Information Covenant. The covenant set forth in
                 -----------------------------------
Section 7.1 shall terminate as to the Investors and be of no further force or
effect upon the initial sale of securities pursuant to a registration statement
filed by the Company under the Securities Act in connection with the firm
commitment underwritten offering of its securities to the general public is
consummated.

          7.6    Board of Directors. As soon as practicable after the Closing,
                 ------------------
the Company shall cause to be elected to its Board of Directors (1)
representative elected by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) two
representatives elected by the Investors, and (iii) one representative elected
by the holders of Common Stock of the Company. Any additional directors shall be
elected by all the holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting as a
single class. The Company shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors in connection with
attending Board of Directors meeting.

     8.   Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          8.1    Survival of Warranties.  The warranties, representations and
                 ----------------------
covenants of the Company and the Investors contained in or made pursuant to this
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation of the subject
matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Investors or the Company.

          8.2    Transfer; Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of
                 --------------------------------
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective
successors and assigns of the parties.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any
party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns
any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

          8.3    Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
                 -------------
construed under the laws of the State of California as applied to agreements
among California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within
California.

          8.4    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
                 ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          8.5    Titles and Subtitles.  The titles and subtitles used in this
                 --------------------
Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in
construing or interpreting this Agreement.

          8.6    Notices.  Unless otherwise provided, any notice required or
                 -------
permitted under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed
effectively given upon personal delivery to the party to be notified or upon
deposit with the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid and addressed to the party to be notified at the address
indicated for such party on the signature page hereof, or at such other address
as such party may designate by ten (10) days' advance written notice to the
other parties.

          8.7    Finder's Fee.  Except as elsewhere disclosed in this Agreement,
                 ------------
or in Exhibit C hereto, each party represents that it neither is nor will be
obligated for any finder's fee or commission in connection with this
transaction. The Investor agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless the Company
from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a
finder's fee (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or
asserted liability) for which the Investor or any of its officers, employees, or
representatives are responsible.

          The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Investor from
any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's fee
(and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted
liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or
representatives is responsible.

          8.8    Expenses.  If any action at law or in equity is necessary to
                 --------
enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, costs and necessary disbursements in
addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

          8.9    Amendments and Waivers.  Any term of this Agreement may be
                 ----------------------
amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either
generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and a majority-in-
interest of the Investors.

          8.10   Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are
                 ------------
held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded
from this Agreement and the

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so
excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

          8.11   Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire
                 ----------------
agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof,
and any and all other written or oral agreements existing between the parties
hereto are expressly canceled.

          8.12   Exculpation Among Investors.  Each Investor acknowledges that
                 ---------------------------
it is not relying upon any person, firm or corporation, other than the Company
and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest
in the Company. Each investor agrees that no Investor nor the respective
controlling persons, officers, directors, partners, agents or employees of any
Investor shall be liable for any action heretofore or hereafter taken or omitted
to be taken by any of them in connection with the Shares.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

INVENTA CORPORATION

By: /s/ [SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]^^
    ------------------------------------

Title: President
      ----------------------------------

Address:
2620 Augustine Drive, Suite 225
Santa Clara, CA  95054

INVESTORS:



BATTERY VENTURES                                  ANDREW POTTER


By: /s/ Todd A. Dagres                            /s/ Andrew Potter
   -----------------------------------            ------------------------------
   Todd A. Dagres

Title: General Partner
      --------------------------------


ROBERT DUCOMMUN                                   RAMESH VASUDEVAN

/s/ Robert Ducommun                               /s/ Ramesh Vasudevan
--------------------------------------            ------------------------------



PALMER G. AND CHARLES E. DUCOMMUN                 HARRY A. CAUNTER
CHARITABLE ANNUITY TRUST, u/d/t


By: /s/ Robert Ducommun                           /s/ Harry A. Caunter
   -----------------------------------            ------------------------------

Title: Trustee
       -------------------------------

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                             SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Name and Address                                      Shares                                  Amount
-----------------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>                                      <C>
Battery Ventures                                                  2,286,363                        $     2,857,953.75
20 William Street
Welllesley,  MA 01282

Robert Ducommun                                                      80,000                        $       100,000.00
1155 Park Ave.
Apt. 1 SW
New York,  N.Y. 10128

Palmer G. and Charles E. Ducommun                                    40,000                        $        50,000.00
Charitable Annuity Trust, u/d/t
Robert Ducommun, trustee
1155 Park Ave.
Apt. 1 SW
New York, N.Y. 10128

Andrew Potter                                                        21,191                        $        26,488.75
923 Cowper
Palo Alto,  CA 94301

Ramesh Vasudevan                                                    105,957                        $       132,446.25
5615 Sumac Place
North Vancouver,  BC, V7R4T6
Canada

Harry A. Caunter                                                     26,489                        $        33,111.25
675 North Court
Suites 225 & 230
Palatine,  IL 60067

                       TOTAL                                      2,560,000                        $     3,200,000.00
</TABLE>

                                      -17-