Ascent Venture Partners

Since 1985, Ascent Venture Partners has been dedicated to partnering with seasoned management teams to build successful technology companies. Focused on the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, investments are sized from $2 to $8 million. Ascent is an active investor, offering strategic advice, leveraging its broad network and working patiently with portfolio companies to overcome challenges. Ascent takes pride in the number of entrepreneurs who return to work with the Ascent team on multiple investment opportunities. Ascent has raised four venture funds totaling $400 million and has invested in over 90 companies. Ascent is currently investing out of the firm's fourth fund, a $140 million fund launched in 2004. More information is available at www.ascentvp.com.

The Aurora Funds

Founded in 1994, The Aurora Funds is a venture capital firm that provides capital and strategic help to entrepreneurs with early stage life sciences and information technology companies in the Southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The firm has more than $200 million of total capital under management and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The firm has the capacity to invest between $4 million to $8 million throughout the life cycle of an investment. More information is available at www.aurorafunds.com.

NC IDEA

NC IDEA provides grants, loans and traditional venture capital to help young companies between seed funding and Series A financing. NC IDEA further supports these companies by leveraging its strong, strategic partnerships and alliances to help the companies through research phases, business challenges and growth goals. NC IDEA is committed to supporting North Carolina's economic development by ensuring young, innovative companies grow, create jobs and become contributing business leaders. For more information, visit www.ncidea.org or contact David Rizzo, President and CEO, at 919-941-5600 x101 or drizzo@ncidea.org.