PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Private investors from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and beyond will converge at the 5th Annual Angel Venture Fair (AVF), on Tuesday, April 8, at the Union League, Philadelphia, PA, to get a first-hand look at potential investment opportunities.
Founded in 1999 by the Pennsylvania Private Investors Group, (recently renamed the Private Investors Forum) the AVF continues to grow in popularity as one of the mid-Atlantic region's most dynamic gatherings of private investors and businesses. AVF's unique structure provides an intimate interactive forum to allow investors to interface with pre-screened companies and experienced management teams representing a range of industries as well as share their respective investment experiences.
While AVF-related success stories abound, Advanced Angling Concepts' story resonates as a Venture Fair classic. As a result of the Wharton Business School's Business Plan Competition and subsequent selection to the Wharton Venture Initiation Program, two MBA students had an opportunity to present at the 2002 AVF. The company's new innovative fishing-lure technology earned investment capital and product-development assistance from Ben Franklin Technology Partners/SEP. Advanced Angling Concepts, which is represented by Blank Rome LLP, continued to refine its product, received impressive market feedback including a write-up as one of the 'Great Baits for 2003' in the fishing industry's leading consumer publication, and gained additional backing from angel investors and Ben Franklin. Their product is slated to be rolled out nationally this spring via broadcast infomercials hosted by former professional football quarterback, Joe Theismann.
"Given, the current economic climate, Angel investors play a pivotal role in a company's life cycle because they help fill a capital gap between early stage and venture capital funding, thereby ensuring the continued growth of viable enterprises. The Angel Venture Fair continues to be an effective medium for reinforcing this reality," said Richard Levin, Chairman, Private Investors Forum.
The 5th Annual Angel Venture Fair is hosted by the Private Investors Forum; sponsored by Blank Rome LLP and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania; managed by the Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia, and supported by Innovation Philadelphia, Silicon Garden NJAngels.net and the Wharton Entrepreneurial Program.
The Angel Venture Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at the Union League, 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. For additional information and registration, visit www.AngelVentureFair.com.