Wayne Brown Institute to Hold its First Quarterly Early Stage Investing Event, "The Deal Forum"

SALT LAKE CITY - November 11, 2006 - In an effort to provide hands-on training and mentoring for early-stage companies looking for funding, Wayne Brown Institute (WBI) announced its first quarterly educational and networking event, "The Deal Forum" will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Trio Cottonwood in Salt Lake City, Utah.

WBI, in collaboration with the local venture community, has selected two early-stage companies to present at The Deal Forum. After being mentored for several weeks by a team of venture professionals, each company will be given 10 minutes to present their business opportunity to a panel of angel investors. The panel will then analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each company's presentation. Registered attendees are invited to observe the presentations and mingle afterwards.

Registration is also open for companies interested in presenting at future events. The Deal Forum provides early-stage companies an opportunity to receive advice and mentoring from venture professionals. This educational experience helps companies prepare to raise capital, write effective business plans and organize efficient presentations for their fundraising efforts.

"The Deal Forum combines the best in entrepreneurial education, good food, a great setting and fabulous networking opportunities," said Brad Bertoch, President of WBI. "It's at the heart of what makes a good deal."

Sponsors for the two-hour forum include Stoel Rives, LLP (www.stoel.com) and Zion's Bank (www.zionsbank.com).

Registration for the event is currently available online at http://venturecapital.org/dealforum or by calling Brandon Stoddard at 801-595-1141. Cost to attend the workshop is $10, and attendance is limited. Additional information about WBI, its other events, services and resources can also be found at www.venturecapital.org.

About the Wayne Brown Institute
Located in Salt Lake City, the Wayne Brown Institute is the oldest, most successful non-profit venture capital accelerator in the world and was formed in 1983 by Dr. Wayne S. Brown. It seeks to educate early-stage companies through mentor-based training in the methods of becoming attractive, viable investments for venture capitalists, while creating value-added relationships between entrepreneurs, capital providers and key professionals specializing in equity-backed business. The Wayne Brown Institute is nationally recognized for its expertise in understanding and applying the venture capital funding processes of Silicon Valley to areas that are capital constrained.

CONTACTS:
Brad Bertoch, Wayne Brown Institute, 801-598-4651, bbertoch@venturecapital.org
David Politis, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730(wk)/801-556-8184(cell), dpolitis@politis.com or
Curtis Gasser, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730, cgasser@politis.com

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