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Southwestern Illinois Venture Summit 2006 Supports Entrepreneurial Climate

The “Southwestern Illinois Venture Summit 2006” was held on November 14, 2006 at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. The summit was a collaborative effort between local and state economic development offices, non-profit organizations and community service providers. With venture capital as the theme, Southwestern Illinois venture capitalists, individuals in start-up businesses, and area entrepreneurs were offered a forum allowing them to explore funding and investment opportunities.

A panel discussion highlighted information pertaining to what venture capital firms look for in investments. Panel participants included Andy Hoyne, Capital Alliance; Jeff Lampe, Hopewell Ventures; Jason Wrone, Open Prarie Equity Patners; and, Brian Clevinger, Prolog Ventures. In addition, a special presentation, “Accessing Angel Investing”, was offered by Bob Calcaterra of St. Louis Angels. The event concluded with a networking reception.

“Southwestern Illinois Venture Summit 2006” is the second summit sponsored by the Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board, Growth Association of Southwestern Illinois, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Leadership Council SW Illinois, Madison County, Mid America Workforce Investment Board, SIUE School of Business, SIUE University Park, Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center, St. Clair County, and the Tri City Regional Port District and the River’s Edge Enterprise Center, and the Workforce21 Power of Partnership Consortium. The first summit was held in September 2006.

(For additional information, contact David Stoecklin at 618-296-4310 or Kristine Polo at 618-650-2166)