For more information, please contact:
MAVA Press Contact: Stacey Sweeney
(703) 281-2254 or (571) 228-2249
Stacey@StaceySweeney.com
Economist and Legendary Financial Journalist Stuart Varney to Deliver Keynote Address at Capital Connection® 2003
50 of the Most Fundable Companies Will Present to Hundreds of Venture Professionals, May 27-28
Timonium, MD - April 16, 2003 - Today the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA) announced that former CNN and CNBC host Stuart Varney will deliver the keynote address at the organization's annual venture fair, Capital Connection 2003: Where New Technology Meets Smart Money, being held May 27 and 28 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel. During his address an anticipated nearly 1,000 fair attendees, including local and national private equity firms, entrepreneurs and professional service firms, Mr. Varney will address the global economic climate facing investors today.
Mr. Varney is credited with changing the way that television reports on financial and economic news worldwide. The former host of CNBC's weekly broadcast of the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board with Stuart Varney, he also served as co-host of CNN's MoneyLine News Hour from 1999-2001. Mr. Varney is a founding member of CNN's award-winning business team, joining CNN upon its founding in 1980. An economist educated at the London School of Economics, Mr. Varney has also earned a Peabody Award for excellence in journalism.
"We are thrilled to have someone with Stuart Varney's economic insight and credentials speak to the Capital Connection 2003 attendees," said Julia Spicer, Executive Director of MAVA. "Every year we strive to present extraordinary programming that directly benefits attending VCs, as well as showcasing best-in-class presenting companies."
A panel of some of the industry's pioneers and most seasoned venture capitalists will also address the audience at Capital Connection 2003. Managing partners from New Enterprise Associates, Domain Associates, North Bridge Venture Partners and Accel Partners will speak during the panel session, "VC MASTERS: A Historical Perspective to the Future of the Venture Industry", hosted by Venture Economics Vice President Jesse Reyes.
Capital Connection 2003 will showcase 50 technology and bio/life sciences companies pre-screened by venture capitalists and coached through a formal mentoring process. The selected companies represent the premier entrepreneurial investment opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Since 1996, presenting companies at MAVA venture fairs have raised more than $2.2 billion. In advance of the fair, a list of the final companies selected to present at this year's Capital Connection will be announced.
About MAVA
MAVA represents the collective interests and leverages the success of venture capitalists investing in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Founded in 1986, MAVA provides a wide range of programs, information and forums designed to facilitate quality deal flow, encourage collaboration, and foster solid relationships with key service providers. Membership includes 375 venture capital professionals at 126 firms with over $10 billion in capital under management. In addition, over 265 key service providers from the legal, financial, executive search and consulting fields are also MAVA members. For more information on MAVA and Capital Connection 2003, please visit www.mava.org.
