ADVISORY/Austin Rice Alliance Keynoter to Address State of Venture Capital Market.

Assignment Desks/Education Writers/High-Tech Writers

ADVISORY...for Thursday (Oct. 9)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHO:      The Austin Rice Alliance -- Created as a forum for exchange
          and collaboration among the business, engineering and
          science communities, The Austin Rice Alliance aims to be a
          vehicle for education of inventors, innovators and
          entrepreneurs in their pursuit of new technology business
          concepts to develop new jobs and sources of wealth.

WHAT:     "The State of the Venture Market," a presentation by Al
          Schuele, General Partner of Sevin Rosen Funds (See speaker
          details below)

WHEN:     6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003

WHERE:    Vinson & Elkins LLP Conference Center
          The Terrace 7
          2801 Via Fortuna, Suite 100
          Austin, Texas 78746
          512-542-8400
          www.velaw.com/firm_overview/firm_overview.cfm?map=3&office=4

COST:     Complimentary for Austin Rice Alliance members and current
          full-time Rice University faculty, staff and students
          $10 for non-members (cash only)

RSVP:     Please email [e-mail]

SPEAKER:  A high-tech industry veteran for more than 30 years, Al
          Schuele joined Sevin Rosen Funds in 2000 and now leads the
          firm's ventures in Austin focusing on the semiconductor,
          telecommunications and nanotechnology sectors. In the past
          Schuele has held executive and sales positions in several
          semiconductor companies including Benchmarq, Crystal,
          Cypress and Mostek, playing key roles in major mergers and
          acquisitions and working extensively in Asian markets.