Delaware Economic Development Office Seeks Partners for Emerging Technology Center; GSP Consulting Leads Search for Service Providers to Assist Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups.

DOVER, Del. -- Every young company needs access to the right services and advisors in order to be successful, particularly when the company is an emerging technology enterprise with special needs and considerations. In response to that need, the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) has launched a search for service partners to aid companies that will come through the State's Emerging Technology Center (ETC). E[acute accent]Launched in 2005, the ETC will serve as a primary source of business assistance, networking and other services for start-up companies throughout Delaware. To be successful, the ETC must incorporate the support and expertise of top-flight service providers in numerous areas of importance to entrepreneurs. The goal in launching this search is to find companies that can partner with the ETC and provide a variety of vital services necessary for emerging enterprises including legal, product development, marketing, human resources and financial planning. E[acute accent]"We know Delaware has a healthy technology community just waiting to take root and grow," Judy McKinney-Cherry, the director of DEDO said. "With the creation of the Emerging Technology Center, our goal is to offer another avenue for the state to foster growth and sustain these businesses so that they will, in turn, support our economy." E[acute accent]The members of the Emerging Technology Center advisory board are John Andrade, Esq. of Parkowski, Swayze & Guerke, Ernie Dianastasis of Computer Aid, Inc, Jeffrey Fetterman of Paragon Rx, Joseph Elad of Quantum Leap Innovations, Dr. Noureddine Melikechi of Delaware State University , Matt Swanson of Fine Stationary.com, David Atadan of Integrated Media Concepts, Mark Gunderson of McCarter & English, Kim Gomes of Wood, Byrd & Associates, Mark Parsells of Montpelier Ventures, and Judy McKinney-Cherry and Karley Barnes of DEDO. E[acute accent]GSP Technology-Based Economic Development (GSP TBED), a division of GSP Consulting Corp., is spearheading the creation of the ETC and leading the search for service providers to partner with Delaware in this endeavor. E[acute accent]"In our experience with emerging technology companies, we have found it is critical to have solid support services and guidance in the early stages," said Rich Overmoyer, a consultant with GSP TBED. "The ETC is looking for partners - law firms, HR specialists, marketers, bankers -- who have experience with and interest in, helping start-ups succeed in the state of Delaware." E[acute accent]GSP has announced a Request for Information (RFI) in order to identify capable service partners in the following categories:

E[acute accent]--Product development specialists

E[acute accent]--Legal

E[acute accent]--Accounting

E[acute accent]--Marketing and Communications

E[acute accent]--Government Affairs

E[acute accent]--Investment Banking

E[acute accent]--Commercial Banking

E[acute accent]--Financial Planning

E[acute accent]--Real Estate

E[acute accent]--Information Systems

E[acute accent]--Human Resources

E[acute accent]--Entrepreneurial Mentoring

E[acute accent]Interested companies can learn more about the RFI by calling GSP at [phone] or by emailing a request to [e-mail]. Deadline for submitting an RFI is February 24, 2006. GSP will contact respondents for face-to-face or phone interviews and then will provide recommendations to the ETC Advisory Board on potential partners. Final decisions regarding participants and partnership structure will be communicated by March 31, 2006. E[acute accent]The Delaware Economic Development Office, 99 Kings Highway, Dover, DE, is dedicated to retaining and creating quality jobs for Delawareans. For more information, call 302.739.4271 or visit www.state.de.us/dedo and click on CEDS.

E[acute accent]About GSP Technology-Based Economic Development

E[acute accent]GSP Technology-Based Economic Development (TBED) enables the growth of state and local economies through a unique and sophisticated service methodology. A division of GSP Consulting Corp., GSP TBED, through strenuous market research and comparative analysis, offers original and tailored strategies that accommodate the needs and strengths of their clients.

E[acute accent]GSP Consulting Corp. was founded in 2001 and is now comprised of three major practice areas: GSP TBED, GSP Government Affairs, and GSP Development Services. Together, these divisions have generated hundreds of millions in new revenues for clients. They have authored revolutionary public policy, designed and launched ground-breaking economic development initiatives, and built longstanding relationships and networks. GSP retains over 90% of our clients every year. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, GSP Consulting currently employs 17 consultants and operates offices in Cleveland, Tampa, Philadelphia, Dover, Washington D.C., Harrisburg, State College, and Ann Arbor. Their diverse client portfolio includes technology, life sciences, economic development and non-profit organizations. For more information about GSP Consulting, visit www.gspconsulting.com.