Algal Biomass Organization Announces Finance Symposium

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - Sep 22, 2011) - The Algal Biomass Organization (www.algalbiomass.org) (ABO), the leading trade association for the algae industry, today announced a special algae technology Finance Symposium as part of the 5th annual Algae Biomass Summit (www.algaebiomasssummit.org). Bill Lese of Braemar Energy Ventures and Todd Taylor from Fredrikson and Byron, P.A. are co-chairing this event, which has been specifically designed to connect entrepreneurs with seasoned investors.

The format is unique. Each company will present its business model to at least three separate groups of investment professionals, with two investors in each group. The 30 minute session will include 10 minutes of feedback and discussion by the investors who will provide invaluable feedback to the presenter on how to improve an investment pitch and ways to strengthen an overall business plan.

"This is an incredible opportunity to have a direct audience with leading investors in the algae space and to learn from them how best to present an idea, business model or other opportunity," said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. "We hope that these meetings will not only help entrepreneurs improve their pitch, but also lead to subsequent conversations and meetings beyond the conference."

"The ability to concisely and authoritatively describe a company's business model is one of the most crucial factors in getting the attention of an investor," said Bill Lese, managing partner of Braemar Energy Ventures, a leading venture capital firm with a strong focus on investments in energy technology. "This session is designed to really help entrepreneurs build, and articulate, the case for investment in their business."

This Symposium is limited to the first 20 companies to complete the application. The cost is $995 per company and is limited to two attendees per organization. Each Symposium attendee must also be a registered attendee for the Algae Biomass Summit. Applications are available online (http://www.algalbiomass.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ABS-V-Finance-Symposium-Application.pdf).

The workshop will take place during the 5^th annual Algae Biomass Summit, the largest U.S. conference of algae producers, scientists, investors and policymakers. During the course of the event, leaders and attendees will discuss issues of critical importance to the emerging algae industry, including the commercial viability of algae production, current government and private initiatives, evolving technologies, processing concepts, life cycle analysis and venture/project finance.

Last year's Algae Biomass Summit, held in Phoenix, Arizona, was attended by more than 600 stakeholders across the algae industry from 29 countries on nearly every continent.

About the ABO
The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website: www.algalbiomass.org.