Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (Mava) Announces Expanded Outreach For Capital Connection 2008
Peter Barris, NEA; Ed Mathias, The Carlyle Group; to Lead New Initiatives for 2008 Conference
McLean, VA -- January 23, 2008 - The Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA) is building on success and expanding the scope of Capital Connection. This year, in addition to the start-up, early-stage and expansion-stage companies traditionally showcased at the annual venture fair, Capital Connection 2008 for the first time also will feature later-stage private growth companies. "Our members have told us they have a continuing appetite for traditional venture capital opportunities, but as their funds have grown, they also are interested in exploring investments in later-staged, growth-oriented companies," said Julia Spicer, executive director of MAVA. "Capital Connection 2008 reflects our members' expanding investment horizons and demonstrates that MAVA's strategic footprint is growing to support our members' broader interests, and as well as those interests of the greater business and entrepreneurial community."
2008 Conference Outreach Initiative Chairs Announced
Industry veterans Peter Barris, managing general partner of NEA, and Edward J. Mathias, managing director of The Carlyle Group were named today as chairmen of this year's significantly expanded conference and will lead the effort to create an even stronger conference for conducting business by including later-staged growth companies and additional strategic partners.
In leading this year's event, Barris and Mathias will be joined by Mark Levine, managing director of Core Capital, and Don Rainey, general partner of Grotech Capital Group, who were announced as chairmen at the conclusion of last year's successful conference. All four serve on the MAVA board of directors.
For the 2008 event, MAVA has prepared a program expected to draw an increased attendance including top-performing entrepreneurs, as well as investment sources and advisors ranging from venture capitalists to investment bankers to private equity and debt lenders.
"Under the leadership of such a strong group of industry leaders, this year's Capital Connection will reach into new territory and expand the scope of MAVA's support across the full spectrum of venture capital and our nexus with the private equity community," said Spicer. "Once again we expect to attract great companies from across the eastern seaboard to Capital Connection, and we are very pleased to add later-staged growth companies to the mix for the first time."
This year's event will be held May 27-28, 2008 at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott Hotel. More than 50 companies from various stage and technology sectors, hundreds of investors and important strategic partners are expected to participate, all under one roof.
For almost 20 years, MAVA's Capital Connection annual venture fairs and the competitively selected companies that present during the event have helped shape the region's entrepreneurial economy. As testament to the quality of investment opportunities and the entrepreneurs leading those enterprises, 35 to 50 percent of companies presenting at the conference have secured funding within just one year of their participation; funding of past conference attendees has totaled more than $2.6 billion of direct venture investments. Some of the region's biggest success stories, including Advertising.com, Blackboard, UUNet, SourceFire and Vocus, have presented at previous fairs.
In addition to serving as a catalyst for funding success, Capital Connection also provides an opportunity for attendees to build critical financial and operational contacts; meet peer business leaders and uncover prospects that may lead to exit opportunities or future business partnerships. This year, the conference will also be adding specialized programming customized for attending leaders of high-growth, innovative companies.
About MAVA
MAVA represents private equity and venture capitalists with investment interests in the mid-Atlantic. Founded in 1986, MAVA provides a wide range of programs, information and forums designed to facilitate quality deal flow, encourage collaboration, and foster relationships with entrepreneurs and investors in order to promote private equity investment. Membership includes more than 500 venture capital professionals representing nearly 125 firms with collectively more than $100 billion in capital under management. In addition, more than 250 key professional service providers from the legal, financial, executive search and consulting fields are also MAVA members. For more information, please visit www.mava.org.