Philadelphia, PA - The Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council (MARBC) announces the Days of Russian-American Venture Industry Cooperation, which will take place in Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic region from October 25 - 29th, 2004. The Russian delegation in attendance will feature government and industry executives from the Russian venture industry, including the Federal Agency for Science and Innovations, the Russian Venture Capital Association, and the Innovation Committee of the Moscow Entrepreneurs' Association. During these Days, the Russian delegation will participate in a number of venture capital business events and learn about the U.S. venture industry. The events will be an important part of the MARBC Program for Russian-American cooperation and development of the venture capital industry and technology parks.

Announcement in Russian

The Days of Russian-American Venture Industry Cooperation will open with a welcoming ceremony in the Mayor's Reception Room in Philadelphia City Hall on October 25, 2004, where city officials will also proclaim the commencement of the Semi-Annual Russian-American Innovative Technology Weeks in 2005. Next year the Days will become a part of the Semi-Annual Russian-American Innovation Technology Weeks. On October 25th, a roundtable discussion will be led by Richard Bendis, President and CEO of Innovation Philadelphia. On October 26th, the Russian delegation will meet with Daniel Desmond, Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, to discuss innovations in energy and environmental technology. On October 27th, the delegates will participate in a meeting at the Science Center of Philadelphia, the oldest and largest urban technopark, which is owned by a consortium of 30 academic and scientific institutions. The final part of the Days will be participation in the Philadelphia MCOT Summit "e-Philadelphia" on October 29th.

As a crucial part of the Days' activities, the MARBC organizes Russian participation in the Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference (MAVC), an event highlighting the wide variety of investment opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region. MAVC showcases the best young companies of the region and provides these companies with incomparable exposure to the region's top venture capitalists and private equity investors. The opening reception will take place on October 25th, followed by the conference from October 26-27th. Companies will introduce deal opportunities in both the life science and technology sectors. The conference will feature a technology track, presenting companies in various technology areas, such as IT, nanotechnology, and telecommunications. Last year, more than 300 investors from across the United States participated in the event. The event also had record support from the Greater Philadelphia community: more than 105 firms and companies were Sponsors, and twenty non-profit organizations committed to being a Supporting Organization. The MARBC is organizing a mini-pavilion at the MAVC that will include information about the Russian venture industry and participants in the Russian delegation.

In addition, the Days' activities will mark the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council and the 15-year anniversary of its longest Russian partner, the Moscow Entrepreneur Association.

"The focus of the Days of Russian-American Venture Industry Cooperation is to help introduce Russian companies to the Mid-Atlantic Region's local technology business and venture capital communities," said Val Kogan, President of the Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council. "The event will match Russian technology and engineering talents with American entrepreneurial and managerial skills. These Days will become a part of the Russian-American Innovation Technology Week in June 2005 with participation in the Early Stage East venture industry event, and in November 2005 with the next Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference. These events will be an important part of the MARBC Program for Russian-American cooperation and development of the venture capital industry and technology parks."

For information about the Days of Russian-American Venture Industry Cooperation, please contact Val Kogan, Mid-Atlantic-Russia Business Council by phone: (215) 708-2628, email: val@ma-rbc.org, or visit the MARBC website at: http://www.ma-rbc.org

Russian participants:

1. Alexander Suvorinov, Head of Department, Federal Agency for Science and Innovations
2. Tatiana I. Gordienkova, Deputy Head of Department, Federal Agency for Science and Innovations
3. Albina I. Nikkonen, Executive Director, Russian Venture Capital Association
4. Yevgeniy Yevdokimov, Financial Expert, Russian Venture Capital Association
5. Andrey E. Podenok, President, Moscow Entrepreneurs' Association
6. Gleb S. Volokitin, Director General, RusBelStroy and Head of Committee, Innovation Committee of Moscow Entrepreneurs' Association
7. Alexander Kashirin, Director General, Academ-Partner
8. Boris Potapkin, President and CEO, Kintech
9. Val Kogan, President, Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council
10. Yevgeniy Yaroslavskiy, Executive Assistant, Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council

Agenda