California State Controller to Keynote NanoBusiness Investor Forum at NanoBusiness 2005, Nanotechnology's Foremost Business Conference; CFO of World's 5th Largest Economy Talks Nanotechnology.

NEW YORK -- The NanoBusiness Alliance is pleased to announce that Steve Westly, Controller of the State of California, will present the keynote address at the NanoBusiness Investor Forum on Wednesday, May 25, 9:30 am, as part of the 4th annual NanoBusiness 2005 conference being held at the New York Marriot Financial Center from May 22 - 25. Along with Mr. Westly's keynote, the NanoBusiness Investor Forum will feature corporate investment presentations from some of nanotechnology's hottest public companies, including FEI (FEIC), Combimatrix (CBMX), Nucryst Pharmaceuticals (WEDX), Nanophase (NANX), Biophan (BIPH), Raymor Industries (RAR), Harris & Harris (TINY) and mPhase (XDSL).

Steve Westly is the State Controller of California and serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the 5th largest economy in the world. As Controller, Mr. Westly has the power of the audit over every state agency and is an independent fiscal watchdog for the people of California. He is also a member of more than 50 boards and commissions including CalPERS, CalSTRS, the Franchise Tax Board, the Board of Equalization, the State Lands Commission and the major housing commissions of the state. Mr. Westly also created California's 40-person Blue Ribbon Panel on Nanotechnology which coordinates nanotech initiatives throughout the state.

"Steve Westly oversees the nation's largest public pension fund," said Nathan Tinker, chairman of NanoBusiness 2005. "Every hedge fund manager, endowment fund manager, institutional investor, stock broker, and trader who is serious about investing in nanotechnology, should hear what he has to say. We are very excited to have Mr. Westly keynote the NanoBusiness Investor Forum."

"Investment funds large and small are taking a close look at nanotechnology," said NanoBusiness event director Vince Caprio. "Mr. Westly's participation in the NanoBusiness Conference proves that nanotechnology is an increasingly significant investment opportunity."

Those wishing to hear Mr. Westly and attend the NanoBusiness Investor Forum can receive a Wednesday-only pass to NanoBusiness Investor Forum for the special price of $295. To receive this special rate, go to www.nanoevent.com/register.php and enter "westly" in the promotion code box.

For more information, see the NanoBusiness Conference website, www.nanoevent.com.

About the NanoBusiness Alliance

The NanoBusiness Alliance is the first industry association founded to advance the emerging business of nanotechnology. The NanoBusiness Alliance creates a collective voice for the emerging small tech industry and is developing a range of initiatives to support and strengthen the nanotechnology business community. Exciting initiatives include research and education, public policy and awareness, public relations and promotion, networking, industry support and mentoring programs.

F. Mark Modzelewski, Nathan Tinker and Josh Wolfe of Lux Capital founded the Alliance in 2001. The leaders of the nanotechnology community including Co-Chairmen venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson of Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Herb Goronkin, the noted nanotechnology visionary who recently retired from Motorola, head the Advisory Board of the Alliance.

The Alliance is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado.

For more information about the NanoBusiness Alliance, please visit: www.nanobusiness.org.