San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza Receives Award of Recognition From the South Texas Funding Forum.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2002

Mayor Garza is Recognized by the South Texas Funding Forum

for His Efforts to Attract and Nurture Technology Companies to Texas

South Texas Funding Forum, the only seed stage focused funding event covering Texas and Northern Mexico, today officially recognized the efforts put forth by San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza in support of the regional technology community.

Mayor Garza was presented with the award this morning at the opening ceremony of the second annual South Texas Funding Forum Investor Showcase and Entrepreneur Boot Camp. The STFF's purpose is to bring together Angel and Seed Stage Investors based in Texas and Northern Mexico with the most promising technology start-ups in the area. This year's event took place at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel in downtown San Antonio.

"I am proud to accept this award not only on my behalf, but on behalf of all the city employees and local civic leaders who have invested their time and effort towards nurturing technology-based companies and entrepreneurs," said San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza. "Our common goal should be to have an economic base in San Antonio that is as diverse as its people. Events such as the South Texas Funding Forum Investor Showcase are crucial to the growth of technology-based businesses in the region."

"We are presenting this award to Mayor Garza for his tireless efforts to both bring existing technology companies to the area, and to also encourage growth from within the community by creating an atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurs," said Luke Robinson, Co-Chairman of the STFF Event, and CEO of EPSM.

About the South Texas Funding Forum

The South Texas Funding Forum was the first, and is the only angel and seed stage event operating in Texas and Northern Mexico, bringing the most promising technology entrepreneurs and their unique new business ideas together with angel investors. The second annual South Texas Funding Forum is hosted by the SATAI Network (San Antonio Technology Accelerator Initiative), Angel SA, and KPMG LLP. STFF is supported by our sponsors: Alan Weinkrantz and Company, Cox & Smith, Inc., Ernst & Young, Frost Bank, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, Jackson Walker LLP, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Jenkens & Gilchrist PC, CBIZ Valuation Group, Inc., City Public Service, dNovus RDI, First Capital Group, Gray Cary, OnBoard Software, Inc., TexLink Communications, and Wells Fargo.

For more information, please contact the South Texas Funding Forum at 210/458-2523, by visiting the STFF Web site at www.stff.net, or by email to [e-mail].