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Venture Capital Firms, Incubators, & Accelerators and Angel Investment Groups

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Angel Investor Groups

We've compiled a list of U.S. angel networks. Because many angel groups limit their investments to a particular geographical area, we've divided the list into eight regions: Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, North Central, California, South, and Midwest. There is also a category for those groups that consider investments anywhere in the country.

FYI: This information is only intended to be a starting point in your search for financing, so please be sure to do your own due diligence before sending your plans, ideas, and/or other personal information to any of the groups listed. Additionally, if you know of a network that should be added to this directory or spot any incorrect information, please E-mail Burke Franklin

redemption rights

NATIONAL NETWORKS

ACE-Net (The Angel Capital Electronic Network)
ACE-Net was developed by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. Only entrepreneurs who can sell security interest in their companies can enroll. There is an annual fee to enroll -- fees vary by state. To find the ACE-Net branch in your state, go to http://acenet.csusb.edu

Primary Interest(s): Although companies can raise up to $5 million in financing with ACE-Net, the network may be most helpful to companies seeking up to $1 million.

Requirements:
Certain businesses cannot list on ACE-Net. These include businesses involved in the oil or gas industries, sole proprietorships, general or limited partnerships, joint ventures, and blank-check or development-stage companies.

Average investment range: $250,000 to $5 million

Number of angels/investors in the network: 360

Contact:
ACE-Net
Dan Mitchell, President
1895 Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06430
203-392-5881

BankOfAngels
Will find angel investors for no fee, only a percentage of the funds acquired.

Angel Investment Groups in the Philly Region
Venture Capital Firms, Incubators, & Accelerators and Angel Investment Groups in the Philly Region. These investors typically invest between $50,000 and $50,000,000 in new ventures. Review each site to determine what each firm likes to invest in.

Angels With Attitude

Angels With Attitude has a committed pool of capital that they call an "active angel fund." They invest in geographic areas where they have members. That includes primarily the West Coast from Vancouver, BC, to San Diego and the East Coast from Boston to Washington, DC. Angels with Attitude invests in clean and renewable energy and conservation, environmental technology, clean and sustainable transportation, healthy and organic foods and natural products, and education -- all things that contribute to sustainability.

Primary Interest(s): Seed and early-stage ventures that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Requirements:
E-mail an Executive Summary to the E-mail address below, and you will be notified if they want to take a look at your complete plan.

Average investment range:
$75,000 to $250,000

Number of angels/investors in the network: 25

Contact:
Angels With Attitude
Kristin Martinez
6541 36th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98126
206-932-3850

Investors' Circle
Nonprofit national network of angel investors, foundation officers and entrepreneurs. Business that are reviewed by Investors' Circle members must fall into at least one of the following interest areas: community development, education, environment and energy, health, and women or minority-led business.

Primary Interest(s):
Socially responsible deals.

Average investment range:
$10,000 to $6.5 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
130+

Contact:
Investors' Circle
One Coleridge Street, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94110
415-641-0204
inbox@investorscircle.net

The Tribe of Angels
A group of Jewish industry leaders who invest in companies primarily in the United States and Israel. Operates as a business network and angel group. A select number of start-ups are selected for presentation to investors, and deals that do not qualify for presentation may still be eligible to network with investors and other businesspeople in the group. Currently has operations in Boston, California, Chicago, Connecticut, New York, and Israel.

Primary Interest(s):
High tech and biotechnology.

Average investment range:
$50,000 to $1 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
300+

Contact:
Paul Allen
San Francisco, CA
paul@tribeofangels.com
415-710-0801

Gathering of Angels

Established in October 1996. A monthly meeting of private, high-net-worth investors that provide seed-level financing to start-up and early-stage firms. Since October 1996, the group has had more than 130 entrepreneurial companies present in Santa Fe alone, in front of a group that averages 30 to 50 per evening. Twenty-nine companies have received some level of funding, two firms have done up-mergers into a public shell, and three have received venture-capital funding.

Primary Interest(s):
Invests in companies nationwide. Currently has investor groups based in Atlanta, Dallas, Hilton Head, Houston, Pebble Beach, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Scottsdale, and St. Louis.

Average investment range:
$10,000 to $150,000

Contact:
Tarby Bryant
505-982-3050
tbryant@nm.net

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Alliance of Angels

Founded in 1997, the Alliance of Angels uses an online, members-only site to view business plans submitted by new technology companies. Selected companies have the opportunity to present their business plan to Alliance of Angels investor members at a monthly meeting. Companies must be headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and lower British Columbia. There is no cost for the submission or screening of business plans.

Primary Interest(s):
Companies that submit their plans must be in the early stage of growth (premezzanine round) and must be technology companies.

Requirements:
Do not mail your business plan by ordinary mail. Entrepreneurs must submit their plans via the Alliance of Angels online Web form.

Average investment range: $100,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
140

Contact:
Alliance of Angels
1301 5th Ave.
Suite 2500
Seattle, WA 98101
206-389-7258 or 206-389-7321
info@allianceofangels.com

Vancouver Enterprise Forum Angel Technology Network

A group of 20 to 30 high-technology CEOs and executives who meet monthly to hear two or three 15-minute business presentations by start-up technology entrepreneurs. It's private and informal and looks only at companies in British Columbia. First meeting held in 1999.

Primary Interest(s):
Entrepreneurs seeking investments in the low to mid six-figure range. Submit executive summaries via the group's Web site.

Average investment range:
Typical angels invest in the $100K+ range

Number of angels/investors in the network:
20 to 30 per meeting

Contact:
SFU TIME Centre
Mike Volker
7400-515 W. Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC V6B 5KS
604-683-5357
mike@volker.org

SOUTHWEST

Arizona Angels

Formed in 1999, Arizona Angels invest only in Arizona-based companies. They consider themselves very opportunistic and will consider deals that involve pre-VC equity, bridge loans, management buyouts, or acquisitions. To date, members have invested more than $3.5 million in six companies.

Primary Interest(s):
High-growth companies beyond the seed or start-up stage that need capital to demonstrate a business proof of concept, in order to then attract venture capital or a strategic acquirer.

Requirements:
No real estate or mining companies need apply. Strongly prefer to be contacted via E-mail.

Average investment range:
$500,000 to $1.5 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
100+

Contact:
Arizona Angels
Greg Cobb, Managing Director
7000 E. Shea Blvd, # F1840
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-5261
480-922-1455
gcobb@arizonaangels.com

The Desert Angels

Will consider start-up or early-stage companies in any industry.

Contact:
The Desert Angels
Jerry Sonenblick, President and CEO
1037 S. Alvernon
Tuscon, AZ 85711
520-977-8198

MID-ATLANTIC

Tri-State Investment Group

Invests only in early- or mid-stage companies that are based in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia. Since 1990, has invested $25 million in 40 companies.

Primary Interest(s):
Information technology, telecommunications, biotechnology, and industrial technology.

Average investment range:
$150,000 to $500,000

Number of angels/investors in the network:
150

Contact:
Tri-State Investment Group
405 Tramore Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
jnewton-tig@mindspring.com

WomenAngels.net

WomenAngels.net is a group of women investors, but it's not required that companies be woman owned in order to apply for funding. The group meets monthly and primarily participates in the first institutional round of funding for companies based in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. WomenAngels.net has invested in companies in a variety of industries, including software, IT, biotech, and health care.

Primary Interest(s):
Companies with high-tech component, an experienced and dedicated management and advisory team, and in a market where the company has the opportunity to become a leader.

Requirements:
WomenAngels.net does not invest in companies in the real estate or retail industries. They also do not invest in seed-stage or start-up companies.

Average investment range:
$250,00 to $750,000

Number of angels/investors in the network:
85

Contact:
WomenAngels.net
Kris McDevitt
1054 31st St.
NW Suite 110
Washington, DC 20007
202-342-1627
info@womenangels.net

Private Investors Network (PIN)

A program of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association. PIN members review a monthly mailing of executive summaries submitted by entrepreneurs. Three summaries are selected each month, and those three entrepreneurs present their plans at a monthly breakfast meeting. Entrepreneurs pay a fee to participate.

Primary Interest(s):
Early- and seed-stage companies in any industry. Companies must be based in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.

Average investment range:
$500,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
120

Contact:
Private Investor's Network
John May, Executive Director of the PIN
402 Maple Ave. West
Vienna, VA 22180
703-255-4930

NORTHEAST

Walnut Venture Associates

Walnut Venture Associates is a Boston-based group that focuses on information-technology companies. Group members have been the founders of 20 companies and the CEOs of more than 20 companies, have invested in more than 225 private companies, and have been members of the boards of directors of more than 125 companies.

Primary Interest(s):
Seed- and early-stage companies in New England only. Prefer to have executive summaries sent to them via E-mail.

Average investment range:
$250,000 to $1,500,000

Number of angels/investors in the network:
22

Contact:
info@walnutventures.com

Common Angels

Named after the city's historic public meeting grounds, CommonAngels® is a group of 50 leading private investors and three dozen limited partners in our co-investment fund. Our members have founded, cofounded or run high-tech companies. Since 1998, we have worked closely with early stage software companies in the Northeast, funding 22 with over $25 million of our funds and $90 million from other ivnestors.

Primary Interest(s):
Early-stage software companies in the Northeast.

Requirements:
Prefer not to receive full business plans (or anything else for that matter) in hard copy. Use E-mail instead.

Average investment range:
$250,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
50 private investors; three dozen limited partners

Contact:
CommonAngels
One Cranberry Hill, Suite 6
Lexington, MA 02421
781-274-9124
info@commonangels.com

Gould & Co.
No Web site

Invests in companies based in the Northeast, preferably in New England.

Primary Interest(s):
Companies that are emerging into large markets.

Average investment range:
$100,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
400+

Contact:
Gould & Co.
86 Front St.
Merrimack, NH 03054
603-429-1631
gouldcapital@aol.com

Maine Angels

Maine Angels was formed in 2003, and typical angel/venture capital returns without industry restrictions. They prefer to invest in companies with beta-tested products or lead customers.

Primary Interest(s):
Have a preference for companies closer to home but are open on a case-by-case basis to syndication or collaboration regionally and nationally.

Average investment range:
$100,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in network:
12

Contact:
for general information e-mail info@maineangels.org .

Tri-State Private Investors Network

In the past five years, Tri-State PIN members have invested in more than 50 start-up and early-stage companies. Businesses in which they have invested include Internet infrastructure software related to the gaming industry, mobile, wireless communication services for field service personnel, real estate, software, electronics manufacturing, microbreweries, theater, restaurants, and travel. Run by Ellen Sandles, founder and executive director, the group is based in New York.

Primary Interest(s):
Early-stage companies from the Northeast through the Mid-Atlantic region.

Requirements:
Don't call or send snail mail. Send E-mail only, preferably straight from the website, where the application process is explained. Entrepreneurs who meet Tri-State PIN specifications are contacted by telephone; those who do not meet criteria are e-mailed an evaluation form with explanations, and if possible, recommendations to assist the entrepreneur.

Average investment range:
$500,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
30

Contact:
For more information, please contact via the Tri-State PIN website, www.angelinvestorfunding.com .

Silicon Garden Angels + Investors Network njangels.net

Invest in companies along the East Coast, ranging from New Hampshire to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and the Washington, DC area.

Average investment range:
$20,000 to $250,000

Number of angels/investors in the network:
100+

Contact:
Silicon Garden Angels & Investors Network
Dan Conley
32 Cedar Brook Dr.
Somerset, NJ 08873-2854
732-873-1955
njangels@njen.com

Tech Valley Angel Network (TVAN)

TVAN angels invest in early-stage businesses in northeastern New York and adjacent western New England. Register and complete a business review form on the TVAN Web site for consideration.

Primary Interest(s):
TVAN is interested in all types of businesses that demonstrate a good investment opportunity with a reasonable chance to succeed.

Average investment range:
$50,000 to $1 million

Number of angels/investors:
20+

Contact:
Tech Valley Angel Network
Rensselaer Technology Park
250 Jordan Road
Troy, NY 12180
518-283-5385
info@techvalleyangels.com

NORTH CENTRAL

Valley Angels Investment Group LL
No Web site

Invests in companies in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Primary Interest(s):
Science technologies, other technologies, manufacturing and processing.

Average investment range:
$500,000 to $1 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
16

Contact:
Valley Angels Investment Group LLC
Richard Leazer
2215 South Oneida St., Suite 500
Green Bay, WI 54303
608-832-6365
contact@vaig.org

The Meyering Corp.
No Web site

Primary Interest(s):
Manufacturing technology and new patents.

Average investment range:
$250,000 to $1.5 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:
24

Contact:
The Meyering Corp.
20630 Harper Ave., Suite 103
Harper Woods, MI 48225
313-886-2333
cmeyering@ameritech.net

CALIFORNIA

The Angels' Forum

Invests in companies based in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. Portfolio companies have come from a wide variety of industries, including consumer products, enterprise software, industrial products, Internet and E-commerce, medical devices and services, networking technologies, pharmaceutical, semiconductors, telecommunications, and wireless. Most start-up companies come to the group prescreened through professional contacts in the banking, investment, and legal fields.

Primary Interest(s):
Companies specializing in disruptive technologies.

Average investment range:
$100,000 to $750,000

Number of angels/investors in the network:
25

Contact:
The Angels' Forum
PO Box 1605
Los Altos, CA 94023-1605
650-857-0700
inquiries@AngelsForum.com

The Sacramento Angels
The Sacramento Angels is a group of individuals who invest in early-stage Northern California companies. The group meets once a month over dinner and listens to presentations from candidate companies. If some members show interest in a presenting company, the group facilitates their efforts to share further due diligence.<

Tech Coast Angels www.techcoastangels.org

Tech Coast Angels operates three regional networks in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Each network holds a monthly dinner meeting and regular screening sessions to review promising investment opportunities. Since 1997, the group has invested more than $37 million in more than 40 companies. Invests only in companies in southern California.

Primary Interest(s): Early-stage technology companies.

Average investment range: $250,000 to $2 million

Number of angels/investors in the network: 200+

Contact:
Tech Coast Angels
23011 Moulton Parkway
Suite F-2
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-859-8445

Silicon Valley Band of Angels
One of the earliest angel networks, founded in 1995. Invests across all high-technology categories. The vast majority of investments have been made in the seed or early round (Series A or B). As of December 2000, the group had placed $82.6 million into more than 132 start-up companies.

Primary Interest(s): Silicon Valley-based high-tech start-ups.

Average investment:$1 million

Number of angels/investors in the network: 150

Contact:
Band of Angels
3130 Alpine Road
Suite 200-7003
Portola Valley, CA 94028
415-441-2887
info@bandangels.com

CVBI Angel Investor Network (Central Valley Business Incubator)
Accepts applications only from businesses in California's Central Valley region.

Average investment range: $10,000 to $500,000

Contact:
CVBI Angel Investor Network
2555 Clovis Ave.
Clovis, CA 93612
559-292-9033
kfurtado@csufresno.edu

Sierra Angels

Preference for businesses located in Nevada, California, or other nearby locations. Looks for companies offering unique products with proprietary technology.

Primary Interest(s): Northern Sierra-based companies.

Average investment range: $500,000 to $2,000,000

Contact:
Sierra Angels
PO Box 3215
Incline Village, NV 89450-3215
775-831-7804
Send E-mail to the most appropriate address:
Software@sierraangels.com
Computing_Communications@sierraangels.com
HealthSciences@sierraangels.com
Internet@sierraangels.com
OtherTech@sierraangels.com

SOUTH

The Texas Angels

Invests only in Texas-based companies. Meets monthly in Austin during the spring and fall. The group is coordinated by the Capital Network.

Primary Interest(s):
Early-stage companies in the high-tech sector.

Average investment range:
$500,000 to $2,500,000

Contact:
The Texas Angels
3925 West Braker Ln.
Suite 406
Austin, TX 78759
512-305-0840
angels@ati.utexas.edu

Network for Business Angels & Investors

Has invested in 51 companies since 1995.

Primary Interest(s):
Traditional companies with good technology and technology companies.

Investment range:
$100,000 to $3 million

Contact:
Network of Business Angels & Investors
Jerry Martin
3873 Roswell Road
Suite 4
Atlanta, Georgia 30342-4431
404-261-2434
nbai@bellsouth.net

Houston Angel Network
Invests in wide range of industries, from seed through A-round financing. Will consider investing in Texas-based companies and companies willing to relocate to Houston from other states.

Primary Interest(s):
Technology and life sciences.

Average investment range:
$500,000 to $2 million

MIDWEST

Other Angel Groups

The Idealflow Angel Fund
The Idealflow Angel Fund LLC is an early stage venture capital group composed of and run solely by angel investors. This organized group of angels focuses on nurturing high-growth businesses that are developing innovative products and services in the information and electronic technology areas.

The Entree Investor Service Network
The Entree Network of active and retired Fortune 500 executives works with management and investment groups involved with technology and other start-up late and early stage companies in their implementation of strategic partnering plans, acquisitions, mergers, sales, management and venture funding approaches and needs. Individual private investors as well as venture capital firms, investment banks and investor groups provide consulting and possible sources of financing for clients.

Southern California VentureNet Conference

The VentureNet conference is Southern California's leading fundraising platform for information technology companies with the potential to create superior shareholder value. The conference's sweet-spot spans companies seeking funding from seed to later stages.

Why present at the VentureNet conference?
Because companies get the unique opportunity to reach a captive audience that typically includes all venture capital firms in Southern California, numerous venture capital firms from Northern California and elsewhere in the country, the Tech Coast Angels and other angel investors, and investment bankers. The conference also attracts the most influential opinion-leaders in Southern California's technology industry, including accounting firms, law firms, banks and executive recruiters.

All submitted plans get individually reviewed by a panel that includes seven of the most prominent venture capital firms in Southern California, and prior to the conference the committee coaches the presenting companies and helps them refine their presentations for maximum effect.

At the conference, company presentations are followed by panels of investors who give valuable, first-hand feedback on what works and what doesn't when pitching to investors.

All told, presenters get to talk directly to the who's who of Southern California's information technology industry.

To apply, visit http://www.venturenet.org.

Regards,

Richard Koffler
Chair, VentureNet 2003
Executive Director, Software Council
CEO, Koffler Ventures LLC
(310) 883-5588
rk@kofflerventures.com

JIAN Home Page

Arizona Venture Capital Conferemce

Successful funding conferences bring investors together with superior companies. The Arizona Venture Capital Conference's meticulous selection process makes this happen. The AVCC's selection panel represents more than $5.5 billion in funds under management. The panelists have agreed upon criteria and will individually and jointly rank prospective presenters narrowing the field to the finalists. Selection is based on a proven, pain-staking formula evaluating the applicant's company, its products or services, growth potential, management team, marketing strategy and financial history.

The Arizona Venture Capital Conference provides each presenting company with intensive training and a team of professionals to help sharpen their presentations. Through the rigorous screening, selection and training process, investors will meet only those companies that have a genuine opportunity to raise investment capital.

To meet the needs of our attendees, 2002 marked the first year the Conference offered The Investor's Workshop, for accredited investors only. The workshop provided the latest investment industry information as well as updates on a variety of growing markets. This workshop is a must for every investor!

If you are a venture capitalist or other professional investor that would like an update on southwest region cutting edge companies, then this conference is for you! Additional information on conference speakers and presenters will be available in the coming months.

https://www.azventurecapitalconf.com/secure/presenterapp.php

The Canadian Subsidy Directory

CANADIAN SUBSIDY DIRECTORY YEAR 2003 EDITION
Legal Deposit-National Library of Canada
36 Felix Renaud
Aylmer, Ontario Canada
J9H 7C1
(819)682-7983

ISBN 2-922870-05-7

The new revised edition of the Canadian Subsidy Directory 2003 is now available.

The new edition is the most complete and affordable reference for anyone looking for financial support. It is deemed to be the perfect tool for new or existing businesses, individual ventures, foundations and associations.

This Publication contains more than 2000 direct and indirect financial subsidies, grants and loans offered by government departments and agencies, foundations, associations and organisations. In this new 2003 edition all programs are well described.

The Canadian Subsidy Directory is the most comprehensive tool to start up a business, improve existent activities, set up a business plan, or obtain assistance from experts in fields such as: Industry, transport, agriculture, communications, municipal infrastructure, education, import-export, labor, construction and renovation, the service sector, hi-tech industries, research and development, joint ventures, arts, cinema, theatre, music and recording industry, the self employed, contests, and new talents.

Assistance from and for foundations and associations, guidance to prepare a business plan, market surveys, computers, and much more!

The Canadian Subsidy Directory is sold $ 69.95, to obtain a copy please call: Canada Books, (819) 682-7983

Golf / Golf Residential

1: Any projects dealing with GOLF or GOLF RESIDENTAL please send to me; reason is that I have 3 funders right now that do golf deals and love them.

2: Any projects with Collateral or Assets are top priority with us we have a few lenders who will move fast. 3rd and not related to Business that we normally do.

Daniel J. O'Neil
VP / CFO
Russell and O'Neil & Associates, Inc.
"Daniel J. O'Neil" cbgi1017@worldnet.att.net
512-773-2902
cbgi259@yahoo.com
Capital Business Group,
Inc., Ralph Russell and Daniel O'Neil
1908 Southcreek Drive, Leander, Texas 78641

Avoiding Scams

http://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/primebank/howtheywork.shtml

You should be skeptical of investment opportunities you learn about through the Internet. When you see an offering on the Internet - whether it's on a company's website, in an online newsletter, on a message board, or in a chat room you should assume it's a scam until you've done your homework and proven otherwise.

Get the facts before you invest, and only invest money you can afford to lose. You can avoid online investment scams by asking - and getting answers to these three simple questions:

Is the investment registered?

To find out, check the SEC's EDGAR database. Some smaller companies don't have to register their securities offerings with the SEC, so always check with your state securities regulator. You'll find that number in the government section of your phone book. Or call the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) at (202) 737-0900 or visit NASAA's website.

Many online investment scams involve unregistered securities. But the fact that a company has registered and files reports with the SEC doesn't guarantee that the company will be a good investment. Likewise, the fact that a company hasn't registered and doesn't file reports with us doesn't mean the company is a fraud. You may be asking for serious losses if you invest in a small, thinly traded company that isn't widely known solely on the basis of what you read on a bulletin board posting or saw in an online newsletter. One simple phone call to your state regulator could prevent you from squandering your money on a scam.

Is the person licensed and law-abiding?

Find out if the person or firm selling the investment needs to be licensed. Call your state securities regulator and ask whether the person or firm is licensed to do business in your state and whether they have a record of complaints or fraud. You can also get this information by calling NASD's public disclosure hotline at (800) 289-9999 or visiting their website.

Does the investment sound too good to be true?

If it does, it probably is. High-yield investments tend to involve extremely high risk. Never invest in an opportunity that promises "guaranteed" or "risk-free" returns. Watch out for claims of astronomical yields in a short period of time. Be skeptical of "off-shore" or foreign investments. And beware of exotic or unusual sounding investments, especially those involving so-called "prime bank" securities. To learn more about "prime bank" securities, visit the Division of Enforcement's Prime Bank Fraud Information Center on our website.

Make sure you fully understand the investment before you part with your hard-earned money. Always ask for - and carefully read - the company's prospectus and latest financial statements.

For more tips on avoiding online fraud, read Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Scams. You can get this brochure by calling the SEC's toll-free publications line at (800) SEC-0330 or visiting the "Internet and Online Trading" section of our website.

http://www.sec.gov/investor/online/scams.htm

Warning to All Investors About Bogus “Prime Bank” and Other Banking-Related Investment Schemes

Lured by the promise of astronomical profits and the chance to be part of an exclusive, international investing program, investors are once again falling prey to bogus "prime bank" scams. These fraudulent schemes involve the purported issuance, trading, or use of so-called "prime" bank, "prime" European bank or "prime" world bank financial instruments, or other "high yield investment programs" ("HYIP"s). The fraud artists who promote these schemes often use the word "prime" - or a synonymous phrase, such as "top fifty world banks" - to cloak their programs with an air of legitimacy. They seek to mislead investors by suggesting that well regarded and financially sound institutions participate in these bogus programs. But prime bank and other related schemes have no connection whatsoever to the world's leading financial institutions or to banks with the word "prime" in their names. The Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal and state agencies are continuing to warn investors about these scams.

How Prime Bank Frauds Work

Prime bank programs often claim investors' funds will be used to purchase and trade "prime bank" financial instruments on clandestine overseas markets in order to generate huge returns in which the investor will share. However, neither these instruments, nor the markets on which they allegedly trade, exist. To give the scheme an air of legitimacy, the promoters distribute documents that appear complex, sophisticated and official. The sellers frequently tell potential investors that they have special access to programs that otherwise would be reserved for top financiers on Wall Street, or in London, Geneva or other world financial centers. Investors are also told that profits of 100% or more are possible with little risk.

Individuals and entities are targeted, including municipalities, charitable associations and other nonprofit organizations. The promoters of these schemes have demonstrated remarkable audacity, advertising in national newspapers, such as USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Some promoters of these schemes avoid using the term "Prime Bank note," and tell prospective investors that their programs do not involve prime bank instruments in an effort to demonstrate that their programs are not fraudulent. Regardless of the terminology, the basic pitch - that the program involves trading in international financial instruments - remains the same, and investors should continue to be vigilant against such fraud.

Signs of Banking-Related Investment Fraud Below are warning signs of prime bank or other fraudulent bank-related investment schemes.

Excessive Guaranteed Returns

These fraudulent investment pitches typically offer or guarantee spectacular returns of 20 to 200 percent monthly, absolutely risk free. Promises of unrealistic returns at no risk are hallmarks of prime bank fraud.

Fictitious Financial Instrument

Despite having credible-sounding names, the supposed "financial instruments" at the heart of any prime bank scheme simply do not exist. Exercise caution if you've been asked to invest in a debt obligation of the top 100 world banks, Medium Term Bank Notes or Debentures, Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, an offshore trading program, a roll program, bank-issued debentures, a high yield investment program, or some variation on these descriptions. Promoters frequently claim that the offered financial instrument is issued, traded, guaranteed, or endorsed by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Federal Reserve, Department of Treasury, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), or an international central bank.

Extreme Secrecy

Promoters claim that transactions must be kept strictly confidential by all parties, making client references unavailable. They may characterize the transactions as the best-kept secret in the banking industry, and assert that, if asked, bank and regulatory officials would deny knowledge of such instruments. Investors may be asked to sign nondisclosure agreements.

Exclusive Opportunity

Promoters frequently claim that investment opportunities of this type are by invitation only, available to only a handful of special customers, and historically reserved for the wealthy elite.

Claims of Inordinate Complexity

Investment pitches frequently are vague about who is involved in the transaction or where the money is going. Promoters may try to explain away this lack of specificity by stating that the financial instruments are too technical or complex for nonexperts to understand.

You should be especially watchful for prime-bank related schemes promoted over the Internet. Despite numerous SEC actions charging prime bank promoters with multiple violations of the federal securities laws, prime bank offerings continue to proliferate in cyberspace.

If you have any information regarding the offer or sale of "prime bank" or similar financial instruments, or programs employing these instruments, please provide that information to the SEC's Division of Enforcement immediately by using the Enforcement Complaint Center. You also may want to visit other helpful websites to learn more about prime bank-related fraud.

http://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/primebank/howtheywork.shtml

The Angels' Forum

The Angels' Forum does not charge a fee to entrepreneurs and was listed in 2002 as one of the Top 30 Most Active Investors in the US by Venture Economics/PWC/NVCA. We only work with San Francisco Bay Area based companies. For more information: www.angelsforum.com Carol Sands
The Halo Fund
The Angels' Forum
P.O. Box 1605
Los Altos, CA 94023-1605
Phone: (650) 857-0700
Fax: (650) 857-0773
E-Mail: csands@angelsforum.com

TransNational Management, Inc.

TransNational Management, Inc. We Specialize in helping you obtain a source for capital. We are a direct and indirect lender. We typically work with projects valued at $5,000,000 USD or more with no maximum. Special amounts may be considered depending on the circumstances. We typically do not source financing for start-up companies unless there are personal guarantees and adequate security/collateral, the planning stage of the project is completed and all required approvals have been obtained.

Film Financing

FILM INVESTMENT
We need 20 Feature Length Movies in next 24 months! We are looking for individuals that have movies, good movies, that need for them to be moved to the next level. We are not looking for clearing house movies! If you have a movie that you know will be good enough for a chance at being a box office hit, then we need to talk! Send us the name of the movie, and a synopsis to:
theloanranger@crei-u.com We are not the executive producer looking for these movies, we are just the advertiser. Thanks,
James Southerland

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FILM FINANCING
We are in the business of financing feature films from $250K (in portfolio) to $250 MM with well established production teams, with casting and distribution agreement in place. Please forward me the specifics of your projects for the various scenarios and summary information and budgets. We are an M&A group and we do joint ventures and funding of film projects in the $3 MM to $250 MM
Regards, S. ZAND
Partner
APS International
290 Stuart Street Boston, MA. 02117
617-669-8323
260-350-0404
apsinternational@netscape.net

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City National Bank
City National Entertainment professionals in California and New York offer a wide range of financial services, serving the industry with sophisticated financial services that have been one of cornerstones of City National's vision since 1954.
City National Bank takes particular pride in their role as a unique provider of banking, financing and investment management services to the entertainment industry. City National Bank welcomes the opportunity to create solutions that meet your needs.
The Entertainment Division provides expertise and solutions for the following:
Business Management Companies
Talent Agencies
Entertainment Law Firms
Personal Management Companies
Film Production Financing
Television “Movies of the Week” and Series Financing
Music Catalog Financing
Post Production Companies

City National Corporation
City National Center
400 North Roxbury Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Entertainment Division (310) 888-6200

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CIVILIAN CONTENT PLC
http://www.civiliancontent.com
4 Great Portland Street
4th Floor Portland House
London W1W 8QJ
UNITED KINGDOM +44 20 7612 0030
+44 20 7612 0031
Civilian Content plc(WHITECLIFF). The Group's principal activities are the production, finance and distribution of feature films and television programmes.
Non Executive Chairman - David K. Elstein
Executive Managing Director - Christopher R. Auty
Executive Director Finance - Norman I. Humphrey
Secretary - Kevin R. Mansfield

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Coudert Brothers LLP
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-626-4400
Fax: 212-626-4120

The Coudert Brothers entertainment and media group represents a broad variety of domestic and international clients through a network of lawyers in our North American, European, Asian and Australian offices. The group has expertise in international and domestic film financing, tax planning, copyright, trademark and patent matters, and all forms of entertainment and commercial litigation.

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Imperial Entertainment Group
9777 Wilshire Blvd., 4th Fl.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: (310) 281-2400
Fax: (310) 281-2476

Contacts: Morgan Rector, president; Jeff Colvin, senior VP-co-manager; Jared Underwood, senior VP-co-manager; Amy Cotteleer, assistant VP

Services: Entertainment finance
Types of finance: Independent and studio films, corporate and syndicated facilities, foreign tax structures

Corporate ties: Imperial Bank, Entertainment Finance Group (Melbourne), Independent Film Financing (Toronto), Media Entertainment Funding (Munich), Livolsi and Partners (Spain and Italy), Benfield Greig (U.K.)

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Kramer & Kaslow
2029 Century Park East, Ste. 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (310) 553-3838
Fax: (310) 553-3939
Email: entertainment@kramer-kaslow.com
Web site: http://www.kramer-kaslow.com

Contacts: Harmon M. Kaslow, Stephen D. Zager
Services: Production, financing, legal counsel
Types of finance: Equity, tax subsidies, pre-sales

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Lewis Horwitz Organization
1840 Century Park East, Ste. 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (310) 275-7171
Fax: (310) 275-8055

Contacts: Lew Horwitz, president; Art Stribley, executive VP

Services: Provides loans for film production, corporate lines of credit, postproduction and other types of entertainment loans

Types of finance: Lends against various types of collateral, including pre-sales contracts, lending against unsold rights (gap financing), and other acceptable collateral

Corporate ties: Division of Southern Pacific Bank

Types of projects sought: Motion picture and TV production loans, lines of credit to worthy borrowers

LHO and its officers are the most experienced lenders in the business. The are happy to speak to producers at an early stage in order to describe what their parameters are in each individual situation. They are experts in assisting clients with productions produced internationally, including all the various subsidies and tax credits available, and access to German tax funds

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Union Bank of California
445 S. Figueroa St., 16th Fl.
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (213) 236-5828
Fax: (213) 236-5852

Contact: Christine Ball, senior vice president-manager

Services: Entertainment finance division provides customized financial services to the entertainment industry.

Types of projects sought: At UBOC they have the experience and expertise to finance all types of single-project term loans as well as the sophistication to underwrite and manage large revolving transactions.

Their film production loans are tailored specifically to address the unique elements of each project. To assist in preparing your loan package for consideration, please include the following materials: resumes of producer and director; story synopsis; chain of title showing ownership; detailed project budget; project cash f low; letter of intent from a completion bond company; description of collateral; and minimum of estimates of unsold film rights

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IFFISO USA
90 John St., 6th Floor,
New York, NY 10038
Phone number: (646) 274-1330
Fax number: (646) 435-5171
entertfinancing@iffiso.com

TV BROADCAST AND FILM FINANCING THROUGH EUROPE AND USA We can support the funding of a similar number of cinematographic (films, TV films and TV series) or audiovisual productions.

The fields : Action, Animation, B-Movies, Children's, Classic, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Independent, Sci-Fi, Short.

The countries : Europe, USA (Hollywood) Quick no : Files without any support from serious persons (actors, artists, professionals,...).

We can assist you with professional teams who can evaluate risks on your project and determine your real need.

- Seed stage : examining business idea feasibility and getting the firm ready to commence operations.
- Start-up financing.
- Funds for marketing plan, hire more staff and management, and establish strategic alliances in the market.
- Line of credit from a commercial bank to meet "working capital."
- Funds for expanding operations at a faster pace and give the entertainment a significant position.
- Seed round : all short-term debt and referred to as "mezzanine," or "bridge," financing to support continued growth opportunities while preparing for an acquisition, a management buyout, a leveraged buyout or an IPO.
- Pre-sale agreements.

Project - Basic requirements
Every project must be introduced in a very professional way. A short synopsis (max ½ A4 page) of the film A VHS copy of the actual film in the original language.

The budget
Financing plan which details any confirmed financing :
Equity financing has to be specified and documented.
The amounts must be given in the national currencies, along with the exchange rate.
- A marketing plan where the target group is defined and a description of how the target groups will be appealed to.
Terms of evaluation We evaluate projects according to the film?s quality, the dubbing plan, the box office returns in the production country, distributor, budget, financing, distribution and promotional plan.
Evaluations normally take between 4-6 weeks.
Do not hesitate to contact us should you have any question or comments to: entertfinancing@iffiso.com

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Natexis Banques Populaires
1901 Ave. of the Stars, Ste. 1901
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (310) 203-8710
Fax: (310) 203-8720
Email: bpozil@natexisny.com
Contact: Bennett Pozil, group manager
Services: Film entertainment financing
Type of finance: Film project loans

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Bank of America
9 W 57th St.
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 933-2184
Fax: (212) 847-5819
Email: Hawkins@bofasecurities.com
Web site: http://www.bankofamerica.com
Contacts: Sharon Hawkins, principal; Rick Thompson, senior associate
Services: Provides financing for independent production companies and studios.