| Nasdaq NASDAQ’s mission is to promote corporate growth and entrepreneurship by providing companies, market participants and investors the highest quality equity market in the world — a market that is fast, reliable, highly transparent and deeply liquid; a market with state-of-the-art trading efficiency; a market with unsurpassed financial products; and a market with the highest standards for regulatory oversight and corporate governance. NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,300 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.nasdaq.com/newsroom. |
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| BVK The German private equity and venture capital association was founded on December 8, 1989, by the merger of Deutscher Venture Capital Verband, DVCV, and Bundesverband deutscher Kapitalbeteiligungsgsellschaften e.V., BVK. The corporate name is: Bundesverband Deutscher Kapitalbeteiligungsgesellschaften – German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association e.V. (BVK). BVK represents most of the German private equity and venture capital companies as well as the German branches of foreign private equity and venture capital companies. Every company dealing in and with the private equity and venture capital sector is welcome to become a member of BVK. As per November 2004, BVK represents more than 180 private equity and venture capital companies (full members). BVK also offers associate membership to companies and organizations which are active in this particular business sector, i. e. accountants, lawyers, consultants etc. By September 2004, BVK full members were associated with 5,558 companies and held an overall portfolio of 19.3 billion Euro. What does BVK do? BVK serves as a link between government and business. BVK represents its members’ views, needs and problems while supplying information and discussing any particular political and economic subject with the relevant government institutions. Science and research are becoming more and more interested in private equity and venture capital subjects. BVK supports universities, colleges and their students with their research activities and problem solving. BVK exchanges information with other national
organizations in the economic sector and other international private
equity and venture capital associations. |
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| IVA The Israel Venture Association (IVA) is a broad-based organization that represents diverse aspects of the Israeli venture capital industry and endeavors to support the growth of Israeli hi-tech. Members of the IVA include venture capital firms, investment and commercial banks, service providers (CPA’s, attorneys) and private investors. Today, the IVA has 125 local and foreign members. IVA’s mission is to promote and stimulate venture capital activities in Israel and to represent the common interests of the industry in dealing with the Israeli government. The IVA strives to create networking opportunities, to establish international contacts for investors and entrepreneurs and to provide industry information. An annual conference dedicated to the current developments and trends in the Israeli venture capital community is held in Israel, as well as international events in both the U.S. and Europe. Events, bringing together IVA members, Israeli hi-tech companies and entrepreneurs also take place regularly. The IVA publishes an annual yearbook, which has an extensive source of information regarding the current activities in the Israeli VC and hi-tech industries. The yearbook is widely distributed and has become an indispensable tool for local and foreign investors and entrepreneurs. Current activities include a regular exchange of information with the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA) and the U.S. National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Contact with similar international bodies is taking place with the objective of instituting co-operative relationships. In view of recent developments in the global financial markets, hi-tech industry and political developments in Israel, the IVA, in collaboration with the Israeli Government, is developing programs that will enhance the interests of the Israeli venture capital community and the Israeli hi-tech industry. |
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| IVC IVC (Israel Venture Capital) Research Center, established in 1997, is Israel’s leading research center, specializing in analyzing and monitoring Israel’s high-tech industry. IVC publications are used by major financial entities and government organizations in Israel and abroad. IVC publications are produced in cooperation with the Israel Venture Association (IVA). Technology/Market Information
Contact information: International Corporate Offices: |
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| NVCA The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) seeks to foster greater understanding of the importance of venture capital to the U.S. economy, and support entrepreneurial activity and innovation. The NVCA represents the public policy interests of the venture capital community, strives to maintain high professional standards, provides reliable industry data, sponsors professional development, and facilitates interaction among its members. Venture capitalists play a critical role in the U.S. and global economies by supplying the risk equity capital and management expertise needed to build strong management teams and successful entrepreneurial companies. Venture-backed companies are leaders in job creation, innovation and international competitiveness. Companies such as Federal Express, Intel, Sun Microsystems and Genentech are all examples of successful companies who were once venture-backed. Venture capital activity impacts the U.S. economy
by: Venture capitalists are long-term investors. The initial round of financing is only the beginning of a long relationship between the venture capitalist and the entrepreneur. Venture capitalists take a hands-on role with their portfolio companies. They help to build strong management teams, manage rapid growth, and form strategic relationships. Venture capitalists are experts in building fast growing companies and often have specific industry expertise. Membership in the NVCA is open by invitation to all venture capital and private equity organizations located in the United States who are responsible for investing risk equity capital to young companies on a professional basis. More about NVCA can be found at www.nvca.org |
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| SECA – Swiss Private Equity and Corporate Finance Association Switzerland boasts established houses in every category of alternative investment. Each category exhibits at least one or two top names active in Europe and beyond. There are some top mid-market buyout houses, along with top-tier venture capital firms. Alongside there is a much larger community of smaller, high quality boutiques, and well-known hedge funds managers. SECA has more than 200 members. Contributing to the stability of private equity here is the existence of some of the world's largest corporate, institutional, and pension fund investors, who traditionally drive much of the private equity activities in Switzerland, especially fund of funds vehicles. In fact, six out of the ten largest listed fund of funds by market capitalization worldwide are managed by Swiss professionals. Deal flow in the mid-market continues to be driven by inheritance deals, but also by the continued divestment activities of established Swiss manufacturing and service giants, who are getting down to core business activities. University spinoff activities (more than 250 high tech spinoffs firms in the past five years) are attracting international investors. Giving new energy to SECA, Massimo S. Lattmann of Venture Partners AG (Zurich) is now at the helm. He has put in place a professional administration team for the association and a much more active board of directors: Leonid Baur, Ernst & Young (Zurich) |
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