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Premier networking event includes keynote speaker Pat Croce — More than 700 entrepreneurs and investors to gather at two-day conference

PHILADELPHIA, PA — September XX, 2006 — The Mid-Atlantic Capital Alliance(MAC Alliance) — the catalyst organization promoting the Greater Philadelphia region as one of North America's top private equity markets — today announced they will host present the Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference (MAVC) 2006, along with their leadhost sponsor, Deloitte, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on Wednesday, Oct. 4th from 2:00-6:00 pm and Thursday, Oct. 5th from 7:30 am-9:00 pm.

"The Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference (MAVC) has long been the destination of choice for entrepreneurs and private equity professionals from the eastern United States and beyond," said Tom Balderston, President & CEO of the MAC Alliance. "The MAVC provides the opportunity for leading investors to find the most promising emerging and growth companies, and for pioneering entrepreneurs to make the connections for funding and support."

The New York Times best-selling author Pat Croce is the keynote speaker, kicking off the second day with, "Everything is Impossible- Before it Works" on Thursday at 7:30 am. The two-day conference is expected to draw more than 700 attendees for a full schedule that highlights the opportunities and challenges at each stage of corporate growth.

MAVC 2006: New Identity/New Program

This year marks a major milestone for MAVC and includes the launch of the new name and expanded mission of the MAC Alliance. On October 4th, the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group will officially become the Mid-Atlantic Capital (MAC) Alliance: The Catalyst for Companies and Capital. The new identity reflects a new proactive approach to promoting the entire Mid-Atlantic region, a change from the original Philadelphia-centric focus. The new mission is to embrace every stage of the corporate life cycle- from venture to buyout.

As a result of this broader approach, for the first time the conference will hold a series of panels for each stage of the investment cycle.

The panels will include:

• Institutional Investor: Fundraising Success for the Emerging Manager: The Institutional Investor Perspective
  Erica Bushner, GKM Newport Funds
  Chris Douvos, The Investment Fund for Foundations (TIFF)
  Barry Gonder, Grove Street Advisors
  Nicholas Maiale, State Employees' Retirement System
  Bill Walsh, Portfolio Advisors
• Technology Transfer: Leveraging University Research for Global Competitiveness
  David B. Lerner, Columbia University Science & Technology Ventures
  Robert B. McGrath, Ph.D., Drexel University
  Jon Soderstrom, Ph.D., Yale University
  John S. Zawad, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
• Angel to Venture: How to Successfully Fund Your Early Stage Company to Maximize Future Investment Opportunities
  Beth Cohen, WolfBlock
  Valerie Gaydos, Pennsylvania Angel Network
  Jay Coen Gilbert, Investors' Circle
  Ramana Jampala, SAS Investors
  Howard Morgan, New York Angels
• Business Development: Technology & Services Session- The Strategic Buyer Insight
  John Loftus, Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.
  Jim Ashton, SunGard
  Marc Brown, Microsoft Corporation
  Jim Mackey, SAP America
  John Staudenraus, Symantec
  Michael Cody, EMC Corporation
• Business Development: Life Sciences Session- Partnering Your Products and Services
  Jamie Streator, Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP
  Tamar Howson, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
  Gwen Melincoff, Shire Pharmaceuticals
  Jack Walsh, IMS Health
  Zishon Haroon, MD, PhD, VWR BioSciences

"We have added many new presentation topics to this year's MAVC schedule that will address key issues for life sciences and technology companies and private equity at all stages- from venture to buyout," said Michael J. Purcell, Assurance Partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP in Philadelphia and Chairman of MAVC 2006.

MAVC Awards Luncheon Honorees

On Thursday, the MAVC will hold an awards luncheon inducting Warren V. "Pete" Musser, President & CEO of the Musser Group, into the 2006 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors regional business leaders who have grown promising start-ups into successful businesses that contribute to the economic growth of the region. Philadelphia Media Holdings, NutriSystem and Tengion will receive MAVC Awards, created to recognize regional companies that reflect the vibrancy of the entrepreneurial community.

Registration and a more detailed schedule of events for MAVC 2006 are available at www.mavc.org.

About the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group

The MAC Alliance's vision is to be the catalyst organization promoting the Greater Philadelphia region as one of North America's top private equity markets — from venture to buyout. The MAC Alliance's mission is to cultivate a vibrant private equity and entrepreneurial community by providing compelling programming that engages the community; superior networking and visibility that stimulates deal and capital flow; and relevant metrics that reflect our unique strengths as a region. For more information please visit www.macalliance.com.