Prominent Investor Panel to Discuss 'State of the Capital Markets' at CED's Venture Conference

Research Triangle Park, N.C. — A featured panel will delve in to detail about venture-backed deals at the 25th annual Venture conference organized by The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED).

Nationally-renowned investors will explore the “State of the Capital Markets” during the panel scheduled for 5.15p.m. on Thursday, April 17at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham.

Steve Nelson of Wakefield Group moderates a panel of expert peers that include: Sallie Shuping Russell of BlackRock; W. Barnes Hauptfuhrer of Chapter IV Investors; Mark W. Yusko of Morgan Creek Capital Management; and, James A. Mason, Jr. of Parish Capital Advisors.

“Our panelists are all entrepreneurs based in North Carolina, nationally renowned, and viewed as world-class investors with track records of performance to match,” said Steve Nelson. “This is a rare opportunity to get these superstar investors in one room where CED Venture attendees can get valuable insights from the best of the best.”

Questions up for discussion include:

• What are the asset classes, market segments and investment opportunities to explore for making outsized returns in 2008 and beyond?
• What should we have as return expectations for investments in public equity, private equity and venture capital?
• What are your lessons learned from the great companies you have seen over the years?
• What are the tried and true hallmarks of an outstanding investment team?
• What does it take to successfully raise and deploy a fund in this environment?
• What are your views on investment opportunities in North Carolina, in general, and the Research Triangle Park, in particular?

CED’s 25th annual Venture conference takes place 16-18, 2008. It will showcase top investment opportunities in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic to hundreds of venture capitalists and financiers from across the U.S.