Minnesota Investment Network Corporation Appoints BioTech Expert to Board; Hires COO and Investment Manager.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota Investment Network Corporation, a community development venture capital firm, today announced the appointment of Conrad (Connie) Schmidt, an expert in biotechnology with a distinguished career in animal health, animal food production and agronomic business, to its board of directors. The firm also announces the addition of long-time investment expert Brian Johnson as Chief Operating Officer and Investment Manager. Mr. Johnson works out of the company's corporate office in Saint Paul, Minnesota and Mr. Schmidt is Chairman of Prairie Capital, a Minnesota Investment Network RAINfund, in Worthington, Minnesota.

The company is expanding in part to the growth of its RAIN funds, a series of formal investment funds that pool the intellectual and financial resources of accredited investors. Investors participate in RAINfunds to enhance their returns by sharing capital, expertise and time. As a result, members benefit from high quality deal flow, thorough due diligence and monitoring, reduced transaction and operation costs and access to capital.

"I'm pleased to have Connie and Brian join our growing team," said Steve Mercil, President and CEO of Minnesota Investment Network Corporation. "Connie, a proven entrepreneur and business leader, is a first rate addition to our board of directors and Brian has 20 years of venture capital experience in technology and healthcare. With RAIN funds we're addressing an important and unmet need and both Connie and Brian will be key contributors to the success of this important program."

Conrad (Connie) Schmidt

Dr. Conrad Schmidt, Chairman of Prairie Capital in Worthington, Minnesota, has had a distinguished career within the animal health, animal food production and agronomic business sectors. For 30 years he practiced in a large veterinary center, specializing in animal production medicine and has successfully managed the development, growth and divestiture of various businesses. Last year, Dr. Schmidt was appointed by Governor Pawlenty to the Minnesota Bioscience Counsel. Dr. Schmidt co-founded Oxford Veterinary Laboratories, which was acquired by The Upjohn Company in 1989. From 1989 until 1997 he served as President of the company's biological business unit and as Executive Vice President of Animal Health. Dr. Schmidt guided the business unit's growth through strategic biological product and manufacturing acquisitions and contributed to the planning, development and construction of a world class biological manufacturing facility. Today, as an independent consultant, Dr. Schmidt studies the economic assessment and application of emerging animal health technologies.

Brian Johnson

Mr. Johnson, Chief Operating Officer & Investment Manager, has 20 years of successful venture capital investing experience concentrating on Technology and Healthcare companies. He has served as General Partner or Principal for Pathfinder Venture Capital Funds, ArrowHead Capital Management, Capstone Ventures SBIC, and FBS Venture Capital Funds. He has served on the board of directors of 17 high technology companies. Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Minnesota Venture Capital Association and served as its President in 1992. He is a Bachelor of Science Business Administration graduate of the University of South Dakota and a Master of Business Administration graduate of the University of St. Thomas.

About Minnesota Investment Network Corporation

Minnesota Investment Network Corporation is dedicated to promoting economic development by building the capacity for equity investments in underserved markets such as smaller communities and growing vertical industries. The organization acts as a catalyst that pools individuals and organizations together to address the unmet needs. Minnesota Investment Network Corporation seeks to build local equity capacity by establishing local investment funds called RAIN(R) funds throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest. For more information, go to www.mincorp.org.

Photos available upon request.