Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                          ESCROW AGREEMENT dated as of the   day
                                          of     , 2000 (the "Agreement") by and
                                         among UNITY EMERGING TECHNOLOGY VENTURE
                                           ONE LTD., a Delaware corporation (the
                                           "Company"), LAWRENCE BURSTEIN, NORMAN
                                             LEBEN, CRICKETT SERVICES LTD., JOHN
                                        CATTIER, BARRY RIDINGS and UNITY VENTURE
                                      CAPITAL ASSOCIATES LTD. (collectively, the
                                        "Company Principals") and AMERICAN STOCK
                                    TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, a New York limited
                                     purpose trust company (the "Escrow Agent").

                               ------------------

         The Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement dated , 2000
(the "Underwriting Agreement") with Gaines, Berland Inc. and EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc. (the "Underwriters"), pursuant to which, among other matters, the
Underwriters have agreed to purchase from the Company up to an aggregate of
1,955,000 units, including 255,000 units subject to the Underwriters'
over-allotment option (the "Units"), each Unit to consist of (i) one (1) share
of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), and
(ii) one (1) Class A Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the "Warrant"),
all as more fully described in the Company's definitive Prospectus dated , 2000
comprising part of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (File No. 333- ), declared effective on ,
2000 (the "Prospectus").

         The Company Principals have agreed as a condition of the consummation
of the sale of the Units to deposit their shares of Common Stock and Warrants of
the Company, as set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A attached
hereto (collectively the "Escrow Shares"), in escrow as hereinafter provided.

         The Company and the Company Principals desire that the Escrow Agent
accept the Escrow Securities, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter
provided.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT. The Company and the Company Principals
hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the
terms of this Agreement, and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment
and agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.

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         2. DEPOSIT OF ESCROW SECURITIES. On or before the Closing Date of the
sale of the Units (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), each of the
Company Principals shall deliver to the Escrow Agent certificates, either
endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock powers endorsed in blank, in either
instance with signatures guaranteed by a commercial bank or a member of the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. representing his respective Escrow Securities, to be
held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. In
addition, all dividends or other distributions payable in equity securities of
the Company or other non-cash property ("Non-Cash Dividends") will be delivered
to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. In the event,
subsequent to a business combination as described in the Prospectus (the
"Business Combination"), there is a stock exchange or other transaction pursuant
to which all the Company's stockholders are given the right to exchange their
Escrowed Securities for property other than cash ("Exchange Securities"), the
Company Principals may instruct the Escrow Agent to make the exchange on their
behalf, in which event, the Exchanged Securities will be delivered to the Escrow
Agent to be held hereunder. As used herein, the term Escrow Securities will be
deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends and Exchanged Securities, if any.

         3. DISBURSEMENT OF THE ESCROW ACCOUNT. Upon the earlier of (i) six
months following the consummation of a Business Combination or (ii) the
liquidation of the Company, the Escrow Agent shall disburse the Common Stock
held by the Escrow Agent to the Company Principals in accordance with their
respective interests therein as set forth upon the aforementioned Exhibit A,
whereupon the Escrow Agent shall be released form further liability hereunder.
Upon the consummation of a Business Combination the Escrow Agent shall disburse
the Warrants held by the Escrow Agent to the Company Principals.

         4. RIGHTS OF COMPANY PRINCIPALS IN ESCROW SHARES. The Company
Principals shall retain all of their rights as stockholders of the Company
during such period as the Escrow Shares shall be retained by the Escrow Agent
pursuant to this Agreement including, without limitation, the right to vote such
shares and to receive cash dividends payable thereon, if any. No sale, transfer
or other disposition may be made of any or all of such shares, except by gift to
a member of Company Principal's immediate family; by transfer to a trust, IRA or
401(k) plan, as defined under ERISA, whereby the beneficiary is the Company
Principal or a member of Company Principal's immediate family; by virtue of the
laws of descent and distribution upon death of any Company Principal; or
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
permissive transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferees'
written agreement to be likewise bound by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.

         5. CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT.

               5.1 The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good
faith and in the exercise of its own best

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judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any
order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other
paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and
effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of
any information therein contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be
genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The
Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver,
modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a
writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and,
if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have
given its prior written consent thereto.

         5.2 The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for the sufficiency or
accuracy, the form of, or the execution, validity, value or genuineness of, any
document or property received, held or delivered by it hereunder, or of any
signature or endorsement thereon, or for any lack of endorsement thereon, or for
any description therein, nor shall the Escrow Agent be responsible or liable in
any respect on account of the identity, authority or rights of the persons
executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver any document or
property paid or delivered by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the provisions
hereof. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss which may be incurred
by reason of any investment of any monies or properties which it holds
hereunder.

         5.3 The Escrow Agent shall have the right to assume in the absence of
written notice to the contrary from the proper person or persons that a fact or
an event by reason of which an action would or might be taken by the Escrow
Agent does not exist or has not occurred, without incurring liability for any
action taken or omitted, in good faith and in the exercise of its own best
judgment, in reliance upon such assumption.

         5.4 The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Company and the Company Principals, jointly and severally, from and against any
expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the
Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding involving
any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand, which in any way directly
or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the
Escrow Agent hereunder, the monies or other property held by it hereunder or any
such expense or loss. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice
of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
the Escrow Agent shall, if a claim in respect thereof shall be made against the
other parties hereto, notify such parties thereof in writing; but the failure by
the Escrow Agent to give such notice shall not relieve any party from any
liability which such party may have to the Escrow Agent hereunder. In the event
of the receipt of such notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discre- tion, may
commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to
determine ownership or disposition of the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the
Escrow Shares with the clerk of any appropriate court or it may retain the
Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having
jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing to whom and under what
circumstances the Escrow Shares are to be disbursed and delivered.

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         5.5 Notwithstanding any obligation to make payments and deliveries
hereunder, the Escrow Agent may retain and hold for such time as it deems
necessary such amount of monies or property as it shall from time to time in its
sole discretion deem sufficient to indemnify itself for any loss or expense or
for any amounts due it. For the purposes hereof, the term "expense or loss"
shall include all amounts paid or payable to satisfy any claim, demand or
liability, or in settlement of any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding
settled with the express written consent of the Escrow Agent, and all costs and
expenses, including but not limited to, counsel fees and disbursements paid or
incurred in investigating or defending any such claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding.

         5.6 The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from
the Company for all services rendered by it hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall
also be entitled to reimburse- ment from the Company for all expenses paid or
incurred by it in the administration of its duties hereunder including, but not
limited to, all counsel, advisors' and agents' fees and disbursements and all
taxes or other governmental charges.

         5.7 From time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the
Company Principals shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent
such further documents and instru- ments and shall do or cause to be done such
further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request (it being understood
that the Escrow Agent shall have no obligation to make such request) to carry
out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence
compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected in acting
hereunder.

         5.8 The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its
duties as escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto at least
thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof. As soon as practicable after its
resignation, the Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent
appointed by the other parties hereto, jointly, all monies and property held
hereunder (less such amount as the Escrow Agent is entitled to retain pursuant
to Paragraph 5.5) upon presentation of the document appointing the new escrow
agent and its acceptance thereof. If no new agent is so appointed within the
sixty (60) day period follow-ing the giving of such notice of resignation, the
Escrow Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it deems appropriate.

         5.9 The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as
escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at anytime by the other
parties hereto, jointly, provided, however, that such resignation shall become
effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as
provided in paragraph 5.8.

         5.10 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent
shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or
its own willful misconduct.

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         6. MISCELLANEOUS.

               6.1 This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made
under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.

               6.2 This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly
provided herein, may not be changed or modified except by an instrument in
writing signed by the party to the charged.

               6.3 The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
thereof.

               6.4 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and
assigns.

               6.5 Any notice or other communication required or which may be
given hereunder shall be in writing and either be delivered personally or be
mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or, if mailed, two (2)
days after the date of mailing, as follows:

               If to the Company, to:

               Unity Emerging Technology Venture One Ltd.
               245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1500
               New York, New York  10016
               Attn:  Lawrence Burstein, President

               with a copy to:

               Cooperman Levitt Winikoff Lester & Newman, P.C.
               529 Fifth Avenue
               New York, New York 10017
               Attn: Ira I. Roxland, Esq.

               If to the Company Principals, to each as follows:

               (i)   Lawrence Burstein
                     245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1500
                     New York, New York  10016

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               (ii)  Norman Leben
                     245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1500
                     New York, New York  10016

               (iii) John Cattier
                     Forestal El Taruman
                     Km 51 Ruta #15
                     Rocha, Uruguay

               (iv)  Barry Ridings
                     16 Erwin Park
                     Montclair, New Jersey 07402

               (v)   Unity Venture Capital Associates Ltd.
                     245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1500
                     New York, New York  10016

               and if to the Escrow Agent, to:

               American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
               40 Wall Street
               New York, New York 10005
               Attention: President

The parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other
communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the
manner provided herein for giving notice.

         WITNESS the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above
written.

                               UNITY EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
                                    VENTURE ONE LTD.

                               By:
                                   ----------------------------------
                                       Lawrence Burstein, President

                                   ----------------------------------
                                       Lawrence Burstein

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                                   ----------------------------------
                                       Norman Leben

                               CRICKETT SERVICES, LTD.

                               By:
                                   ----------------------------------

                                   ----------------------------------
                                       John Cattier

                                   ----------------------------------
                                       Barry Ridings

                               UNITY VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATES LTD.

                               By:
                                   ----------------------------------
                                       Lawrence Burstein, President

                               AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST
                               COMPANY, as Escrow Agent

                               By:
                                   ----------------------------------

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                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                                   NUMBER OF
                                                   SHARES OF
NAME                                              COMMON STOCK          WARRANTS
----                                              ------------          --------
Lawrence Burstein                                    172,125             59,166

Norman Leben                                          16,875             59,167

Crickett Services, Ltd.                               43,875               --

John Cattier                                            --               59,167

Barry Ridings                                          6,750             22,500

Unity Venture Capital

     Associates Ltd.                                  75,000               --

                                        8<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 10.1      FORM OF SEVERANCE PAY AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN INTERWEST
                  BANK AND ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

                             SEVERANCE PAY AGREEMENT

1.       EMPLOYER:         InterWest Bank   (InterWest)

2.       EMPLOYEE:         < < NAME > > of InterWest Bank.

3.       DUTIES: InterWest hereby agrees to continue the employment of Employee
         as an Officer of InterWest with such duties and responsibilities as may
         be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and by Senior
         Management of InterWest, subject to the terms hereof.

4.       SUCCESSORS: This Agreement shall be binding upon InterWest and its
         Successors and Assigns.

5.       SEVERANCE PAY: Except as provided in Paragraph 8 below, if InterWest or
         successor terminates Employee, Employee shall be entitled to receive
         Severance Pay as follows:

         5.1      Employee shall be entitled to a minimum of an amount equal to
                  six (6) months Total Compensation, and

         5.2      After four (4) years employment, in addition to the six (6)
                  months total compensation Employee shall be entitled to an
                  amount equal to an additional one (1) month Total Compensation
                  for each additional twelve (12) months of employment by
                  Employee with InterWest and/or its successors, provided
                  however,

         5.3.     The total Severance Pay compensation shall not exceed an
                  amount equal to twelve (12) months Total Compensation.

6.       CHANGE OF CONTROL.

         6.1.     In the event of a Change of Control, during the term of
                  Employment, Employee will be entitled to Severance Pay in an
                  amount equal to twelve (12) months Total Compensation,
                  provided however, Employee shall not be eligible for Severance
                  Pay if Employee is offered substantially equivalent employment
                  by a successor entity that includes the following:

                  6.1.1    Comparable salary and benefits, and

                  6.1.2.   A comparable position of authority and
                           responsibility, and

                  6.1.3.   Does not require Employee to relocate beyond a
                           reasonable commuting distance, which distance may,
                           but need not be, established by InterWest as a matter
                           of policy, and

                  6.1.4.   The Employee is not permanently terminated by such
                           successor entity

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                           within one (1) year following such Change of Control.

         6.2      For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Change of
                  Control" shall mean the acquisition of InterWest, or a
                  substantial part thereof, by another company; the merger of
                  InterWest into another company with the other company
                  surviving; the sale of substantially all of the assets of
                  InterWest to another company; or a hostile acquisition of
                  substantially all of the stock of InterWest. For purposes of
                  Change of Control, the term InterWest includes InterWest Bank
                  and its holding company, InterWest Bancorp.

7.       OTHER BENEFITS: The Severance Pay Compensation provided herein shall be
         the exclusive provision regarding Severance Pay, but shall be in
         addition to other benefits to which Employee may otherwise be entitled.

8.       TERMINATION: Employee shall not be entitled to Severance Pay if the
         Employment is terminated for any of the following reasons:

         8.1.     Employee may terminate employment upon thirty (30) days'
                  notice.

         8.2.     Employee shall not be entitled to any Severance Pay if
                  Employee's employment is terminated during the first ninety
                  (90) days of employment with InterWest.

         8.3.     InterWest may terminate Employee immediately without advance
                  notice for gross misconduct, which includes, but is not
                  limited to, drunkenness on the job; the use, sale or
                  possession of illegal drugs on the property of the Bank or its
                  subsidiaries; dishonesty; insubordination or willful failure
                  to discharge assigned duties; harassment of fellow employees
                  or customers of the Bank; violation of the conflict of
                  interest policy of the Bank or its subsidiaries; fighting or
                  assault; theft; possession of unauthorized weapons or firearms
                  (loaded or unloaded) on the premises of the Bank or its
                  subsidiaries; or conviction of a criminal offense.

         8.4.     The employment relationship shall terminate upon Employee's
                  death.

         8.5.     If Employee becomes totally disabled as defined in the Group
                  Insurance Policy providing Disability Income Benefits to
                  Employee.

         8.6.     If the Employee becomes so disabled that Employee is unable to
                  perform the material and substantial duties of the Employment
                  position Employee then holds, even with reasonable
                  accommodation by Employer.

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         9.       DEFINITIONS.

         For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Total Compensation" shall
         mean the monthly average pay, including bonuses when applicable, paid
         to Employee during the preceding twelve (12) months, or during the
         preceding term of employment if the Employee has been employed for less
         than twelve (12) months. Compensation shall include the Employee's base
         salary, performance bonuses and incentive bonuses.

EMPLOYEE:                                          INTERWEST BANK
                                                   By:

-----------------------------------                -----------------------------
< < Name > >                                       B. R. Beeksma, Chairman
< < Title > >

Date:
     ------------------------------                -----------------------------
                                                   Stephen M. Walden, President

                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Margaret Mordhorst, Secretary

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