Women Well Positioned to Lead Successful Emerging Growth Businesses; Springboard Enterprises Created Market For Venture-Backed Women-Led Companies.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- According to several new studies, women entrepreneurs are well positioned to lead successful emerging growth businesses. Springboard Enterprises, a national non-profit organization that has spent the last four years cultivating this untapped sector, welcomes the recent spotlight on women entrepreneurs.

Springboard has been a catalyst for bringing women-led deals to investors, vastly exceeding expectations. Since 2000, Springboard has showcased 275 women-led ventures that have raised nearly $2 billion in capital. Today, the pipeline of women-led ventures is full and Springboard predicts that Springboard portfolio companies will return a significant investment. Today at Stanford University, Springboard will showcase 23 new investment opportunities at its 3rd Silicon Valley Venture Forum. Co-hosted by the Women's Technology Cluster, a San Francisco business incubator, women entrepreneurs will present their businesses to an audience of venture, corporate and angel investors from the Bay area.

"Just as the 'women starting their own lifestyle businesses' phenomena captivated the media and the marketplace in the early 1990s, 'women leading high growth businesses' has captured the interest of this decade's thought leaders," according to Kay Koplovitz, Chair of Springboard Enterprises and founder of USA Networks. Recent research reports confirm the emergence of women entrepreneurs in this sector.

--The Kauffman Foundation released a report prepared by the Diana Project, which found a direct correlation between the dearth of women investors in key decision making positions and the small percentage of venture investments going to women during that period. A follow on study will most likely show different results. Since 2000, Springboard has created the ultimate marketplace for women entrepreneurs and women investors to meet and do business, with emphasis on growing big business.

--A GrowThink and re:invention sponsored report released last week found that while the disparity in funding between ventures led by males and females continues, there are several areas of note in which women-led companies are beginning to outperform, including the life sciences sector. Twenty-five percent of Springboard portfolio companies are in the life sciences industries, including San Francisco-based Xenogen who filed for its IPO last month.

--The Center for Women's Business Research, whose "New Frontier" study in 2000 was among the first to chronicle the experience of women seeking equity capital, has been studying women-led growth companies and notes that never before have women been as well positioned to lead growth companies.

There is no doubt that Springboard Alumnae are well positioned. Two-thirds of all Springboard alumnae are serial entrepreneurs. Most have at least one advanced degree and careers that have provided them with the experience and connections to lead entrepreneurial ventures. "The increasing level of interest and activity is good news for our portfolio companies and for Springboard. We are actively working with our outstanding alumnae to capitalize on the improved economic environment while building a pipeline for the next wave of women-led enterprises," said Amy Millman, President of Springboard Enterprises.

About Springboard Enterprises

Springboard Enterprises is a Washington-DC based non-profit organization educating, promoting and connecting women entrepreneurs to the nation's private investment community. Springboard has demonstrated phenomenal success in increasing women's access to the equity markets and assisting them in growing their businesses. Springboard patrons include the Kauffman Foundation, The George Washington University, Grant Thornton, American Express and Foley Hoag LLP. Springboard Venture Affiliates include the National Venture Capital Association, the Kauffman Fellows Program, CDVCA and NASBIC. Information about Springboard can be found at www.springboardenterprises.org.