12th Annual Great Midwest Venture Capital Conference Makes Its Way to Michigan; Michigan Economic Development Council to Sponsor Signature Event.

Business Editors

LANSING, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2002

One of the nation's premier venture capital conferences is headed to Michigan.

The 2002 Great Midwest Venture Capital Conference (GMVCC(TM)) provides an innovative forum for companies seeking growth capital to meet with investors looking for firms with good growth potential. The conference will be held October 31 and November 1, 2002, at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Dearborn, Michigan.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will host the GMVCC for the Indiana Business Modernization and Technology Corporation (BMT(R)).

"We are proud to be hosting this conference in Michigan for the first time. This is further proof of the tremendous growth of our state's venture capital industry," said Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "In addition to shining the spotlight on our state's venture capital presence, this conference is an excellent opportunity for Michigan companies to present their new ideas to a top-notch, national group of investors."

Innovative companies, with a well-developed business model, seeking $1 to $20 million in capital must submit an application by August 31 to present at the conference. Two panels of professional investors will independently review the applications.

"The GMVCC's rigorous screening process drives value for both entrepreneurs and institutional class venture capital firms. They do a terrific job of selecting the best-qualified companies in the Midwest. In our view, entrepreneurs that are successful in this process truly differentiate themselves and their opportunities. This market test is what makes North Coast a sponsor of GMVCC year after year," said Lindsay Aspegren, co-founder, North Coast Technology Investors, LP.

Companies selected for the GMVCC will give personal audio/visual presentations to an audience of national venture capitalists and other professional investors. For more information regarding presenter application information, please visit the Conference web site www.gmvcc.com.

The GMVCC is designed by investors for investors. The conference features emerging companies exhibiting a broad range of innovative products for prime growing markets. Companies wanting to present at the conference and potential investors who wish to attend may obtain additional information by calling Mr. Bill Glennon of BMT at [phone] ext. 230; toll-free [phone], fax is [phone] and e-mail is [e-mail].