PHILADELPHIA, July 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- (www.sep.benfranklin.org) -- Terrence H. Hicks, Vice President for Investment at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP), and co-founder of the Minority Angel Investor Network (MAIN), will moderate a panel discussion with minority entrepreneurs and investors on Tuesday, July 12th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Federal Reserve Bank, 7th and Arch Streets, in Philadelphia.
Entitled, "Minority Entrepreneurs: What Do They Need, and Who is Investing in Them?", this free seminar is sponsored under the auspices of the Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia.
"This program provides an excellent opportunity for Ben Franklin, MAIN and several successful minority entrepreneurs to share their collective experiences in an effort to assist other minority business owners to overcome some of the obstacles that may hinder their growth and success," says Hicks.
Participating in the Entrepreneurs' Forum event as panelists are MAIN's additional co-founders, Tim Reese, President, Xcelis Communications, and Sushma Raj, Managing Director, Threshold Partners. Other entrepreneurs on the panel include Sam Patterson, owner and CEO of Veridyne, Inc.; Mike Pearson, President, Union Packaging, LLC; and Susan Yee, CEO, Active Data Exchange, Inc. The panelists, representing a cross-section of entrepreneurs and investors, will provide insights into the challenges of starting and growing a small business, as well as how to prepare for and attract investors. Entrepreneurs will also receive information from the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority.
To participate in this event, registration is required. For registration and program information, please call the Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia at (215) 640-3339 or e-mail at info@efgp.org. Also, please visit: http://www.sep.benfranklin.org/events/events.html.
About Minority Angel Investor Network
The Minority Angel Investor Network (MAIN) is a diversity-focused initiative of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania and its Minority Technology Advisory Board. MAIN was launched last year to increase the number of minority-owned technology companies in Ben Franklin's investment portfolio. MAIN has distinguished itself as the first and only organized network of angel investors in the United States focused on investing in high-growth, minority-owned companies.
About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Since 1982, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) has helped grow the region through science, technology and entrepreneurship. Part of a statewide network in Pennsylvania, BFTP/SEP provides entrepreneurs and established businesses the capital, talent, and expertise they need to compete in the global marketplace. BFTP/SEP is a founding partner of the Nanotechnology Institute (NTI) and the Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA) and is funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development.