2009 Florida Venture Capital Conference - Call for Sponsors and Presenting Companies.

TAMPA, Fla. -- On February 3 and February 4, 2009, the Florida Venture Forum will host its 18th Annual Florida Venture Capital Conference at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, FL. http://www.naplesgranderesort.com. The Florida Venture Forum, now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, is calling for Sponsors to participate in this Conference in addition to outstanding private companies from the state of Florida to apply to be presenters at the Conference. The Florida Venture Forum is Florida's premier organization focused on assisting entrepreneurs of emerging companies as they develop their businesses and raise capital.

The principle purpose of the Annual Conference is to showcase approximately 20 - 25 later stage, high growth private companies before a national audience of venture capitalists, private equity investors and investment bankers. These entrepreneurial companies should have talented management teams, proprietary technology, high growth potential and should be currently seeking later stage funding. Please note that even if a company is not currently seeking funding, they are encouraged to present at the Conference to showcase their company for marketing purposes.

The presenters of the last 17 Florida Venture Capital Conferences have been very successful from a funding standpoint, raising a total of $1.6 Billion to date. Approximately 1,200 people attended the 2008 Conference, of which 200 were venture capital firms from across the U.S., Europe and South America representing billions of dollars to invest in Florida. The Florida Venture Capital Conference has become a "must attend" networking opportunity for venture capitalists and other investors interested in emerging Florida businesses.

Companies wishing to submit an application to present at the Conference must apply online at http://apply.flvencap.org (Note: Right click on your mouse and select open hyperlink then create a log-in I.D. and password) by the early deadline of Monday, October 20, 2008. Please note the final deadline is Monday, December 1, 2008. The Florida Venture Forum does not accept hard copy submissions. These applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of venture capitalists and private equity investors. As part of its continued efforts to extend its outreach throughout Florida and the southeastern U.S., officials with the Florida Venture Forum are working to develop an effective entrepreneurial network to assist with sourcing and ongoing support of high growth companies.

The Florida Venture Forum is looking for outstanding entrepreneurial companies in all industries throughout the state of Florida. The selected presenters are not only profiled before a national venture capital audience, they also receive substantial and valuable education in areas such as business plan writing, public speaking (and "pitching") and venture capital negotiations.

Sponsorship Levels range from the Sustaining Level at $3,500 to a Platinum Sponsor at $12,000. Companies wishing to be a Sponsor at the Conference can view sponsorship levels on the website at www.floridaventureforum.org or contact the Florida Venture Forum directly.

For any questions regarding the Conference, please email Robin Kovaleski, the Florida Venture Forum's Executive Director, or Pat Schneider, Program Director at [e-mail] ; [e-mail] or call [phone]. For additional information about the Florida Venture Forum, please visit the website at www.floridaventureforum.org.