Southeast Venture Conference 2007

Governor Mark Warner added as Keynote Speaker

Research Triangle Park, NC – December 14, 2006 – The Southeast Venture Conference (SEVC) today announces Mark Warner, the former Governor of Virginia, a co-founder of Nextel Communications and a former venture capitalist, as the event's keynote speaker. He will address attendees the afternoon of January 31, 2007 and discuss the importance of entrepreneurial growth in the United States. SEVC will be held January 31-February 1 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC providing an unparalleled business experience for the southeast venture community.

Warner who left the Virginia Governor's office in early 2006 as one of the most popular in the state's history, became a key figure in the telecommunications industry in the 1980s. He co-founded Nextel (now Sprint Nextel) and later became a founding partner of Columbia Capital Corporation, a technology venture capital fund in Virginia. Over the years, he has helped to create more than 70 telecommunications and information technology companies, many of which later went public.

"The real issues our nation faces are no longer right versus left or conservative versus liberal. They're about past versus future," said Governor Warner. "We have to embrace and lead the future. Supporting and growing emerging companies – like those participating in SEVC – and providing an environment to foster their development is fundamental to our country's success."

"We believe that Governor Warner understands the business and fundraising issues that many of our presenting and attending companies face. His technology industry and venture capital experience, proven track record and energy around empowering business should provide a captivating learning opportunity for SEVC attendees," said Eric Gregg, SEVC Executive Director.

Active in technology and education issues, Warner launched the Virginia High-Tech Partnership and has chaired the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and the Virginia Math and Science Coalition. He chaired the National Governors Association in 2004-2005 and was named one of "America's 5 Best Governors" by Time magazine. Until recently, Warner was considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2008. In October, Warner ruled out a presidential bid in favor of spending time with his family and supporting grassroots political and business efforts.

The mission of the SEVC is to help support the innovation and entrepreneurial activity of emerging high growth technology companies from the southeast region and the resulting economic growth in the Southeast. As part of that goal, the SEVC understands the importance of investment capital to this equation and provides a key forum to facilitate the infusion of growth to the southeast high growth technology community. The SEVC will provide a forum for many of the region's top technology companies to present and network with investors from around the nation. To learn more about the SEVC or to register for the event, visit www.seventure.org.