STARTech Launches Unprecedented Entrepreneurial Network; EntreNet Seen as Catalyst for Growth Through Active Networking Between Entrepreneurs &Professionals.

Business Editors

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2000

STARTech, the Richardson-based Business Development Center, today announced the formation of an unprecedented entrepreneurial network -- EntreNet -- to foster the movement of new ideas and companies into the marketplace.

STARTech's EntreNet is a network of professional and business organizations and trade groups that promote entrepreneurial endeavors. It is designed to foster communication between these groups to further their common purpose of expanding business startups in North Texas. Professional, ethnic or technical in membership, these groups all work toward supporting the activities of entrepreneurs in the North Texas area.

Thirteen organizations have already become members of EntreNet, and many more have shown great interest in being associated with this network of networks, said Sejal Desai, STARTech's Director of Business Process &Development.

&uot;Most business startups are formed and facilitated through meeting and networking with many people and sharing ideas,&uot; Desai added. &uot;EntreNet will increase the level of inter-organization communication and change the landscape of entrepreneurial activity in the region.&uot;

Initial members of EntreNet include:

-- The American Electronics Association (AEA), a trade organization

that exists to support innovators from every sector of the

high-tech industry as a public policy advocate, an information

center, a business ally in national and foreign markets and a

provider of cost-saving programs.

-- The CEO Institute, founded in 1990 for the purpose of helping

growth orientated businesses to reach their business potential

through informal board of directors meetings, monthly CEO

Roundtable Breakfasts and individual visits with member

presidents.

-- The Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE), a 5,000-member

professional organization that promotes communication and

information exchange among engineers of all disciplines.

-- Consulting Alliance of Dallas, a group of independent senior

management consultants who provide emerging firms with

experienced, practical and results-producing support.

-- The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

Dallas section has 15 technical societies and more than 6,000

members in the Dallas area. The IEEE's consultants network

provides primary focus for entrepreneurs and consultants.

-- MEANT Inc. (Malayalee Engineers Association of North Texas Inc.),

providing an infrastructure for the professional and personal

growth of present and future engineers from Kerala (a state

within India) and fostering social and cultural bonds among the

members and families by providing a forum for interaction and

knowledge exchange.

--- MIT Enterprise Forum of Dallas-Fort Worth, in partnership with

the University of Texas at Dallas, nurtures the infrastructure

for technology-oriented companies in the North Texas area,

through case study presentations of emerging firms, issues

forums, satellite broadcasts featuring MIT speakers from

Cambridge and other special events.

-- The Murphy Enterprise Center at the University of North Texas

College of Business Administration, provides entrepreneurship

information, training, research, consulting and advisory services 

to current and prospective entrepreneurs, companies of any size,

and other interested parties.

-- Network of Indian Professionals, organization of professionals

with a common interest in the Indian subcontinent and a mission

to foster professional development and education, to make

charitable contributions to the community and to promote cultural

and political awareness.

-- North Texas Global Telecommunications Society, a professional

membership organization designed to promote dialogue and

interaction between professionals involved in the technological,

social and business aspects of global communications.

-- PA2, Asian American Professionals of Dallas, a nonprofit

organization affiliated with the National Association of Asian

American Professionals, is committed to uniting all persons for

cultivating social, community and professional relations and to

bringing increased awareness about Asian Americans to the

community at large.

-- Southwest Venture Forum at Southern Methodist University is a

forum that helps entrepreneurs seeking to start or build a

business meet with sources of capital and professionals to

facilitate the acquisition of financing and to obtain advice and

information.

-- The IndUS Entrepreneurs DFW Chapter, a global network of

entrepreneurs and professionals established to foster

entrepreneurship and nurture entrepreneurs.

Desai said EntreNet member organizations will work together to design and implement effective forums for interaction, while STARTech, through its 29-member Stakeholder Company Network, 28-member Mentor Network, 11-member Venture Capital Network and four-member University Network, will add tremendous value to these forums.

STARTCamp Kicks Off in April

As an example, STARTech is kicking off STARTCamp, a new, regularly occurring seminar series designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the information and tools they'll need to succeed in today's demanding business environment.

STARTCamp 1 in February is for members of EntreNet organizations only, and will be held in Richardson. Subsequent STARTCamp seminars will be open to the general public and will be held at Dallas-Fort Worth area locations, beginning with STARTCamp 2 planned for April 29 at CityPlace Conference Center, (2711 N. Haskell), 1.5 miles north of Downtown Dallas at U.S. 75 (Central Expressway).

&uot;EntreNet is an interesting and increasingly large network,&uot; said Matt Blanton, STARTech president. &uot;We are looking for organizations where the members are willing to share ideas, meet interesting people and support entrepreneurial activity. This will be another step in STARTech's redefining the community of business development for the future.&uot;

Direct members of EntreNet are organizations that encourage entrepreneurship within their members and assist them through professional development programs. Once an organization is part of EntreNet, all of its individual members also indirectly become members of STARTech's Entrepreneurial Network.

About STARTech

STARTech, founded in October 1997, has announced eight active program companies. These companies are players in the hi-tech, wireless, photonics and ecommerce areas.

The operation helps its members become known to leading technology corporations worldwide. It provides start-up capital from a $4 million seed fund generated by VC firms managing more than $4 billion in committed capital. It can provide counsel and assistance when a firm seeks funding.

STARTech is actively soliciting business proposals for evaluation with the objective of identifying technology firms with significant growth potential. For more information, see www.startech.org or call 972/664-0999.

For more information on EntreNet and its members: www.startech.org/entrepreneurialnetwork.htm.

Note to Editors: PA2 is spelled with the number 2 in superscript.