Allied Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: ALLC) specializes in providing financing to growing businesses. Since 1958, Allied Capital has financed thousands of businesses nationwide in an extensive variety of industries. Allied Capital is unique in that it creatively structures investments to meet the needs of each individual borrower and business, and is committed to servicing to maturity the majority of the loans it originates.
1919 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20006-3434
Telephone: 202-973-6341

Capitalyst funds startup companies. We focus on seed stage/early stage companies with sound business models and high growth potential.

Draper Atlantic is the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast fund of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, the leader in start-up venturecapital, having invested in over 150 high-tech companies. In the majority of cases, Draper Atlantic willbe the lead investor for a company's first round offinancing. We focus on information technologybusinesses with enormous market potential. Our role isto help entrepreneurs achieve their maximum potentialthrough team building, partnerships, advice and support,as well as financial investments. By pursuing apeople-focused approach to venture capital investing,we will fund entrepreneurs with the energy, vision,experience, and passion to build great companies.
11600 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston , VA 20191
Tel : (703) 715-9466 (FAX) (703) 715-9467

Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc. (FBR) is a holding company for investment banking, institutional brokerage, venture capital, and other specialized asset management products and services. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, home to an array of leading global companies, and with our proprietary online capabilities, we provide capital and financial expertise throughout a company's lifecycle and specialized advice and services to investors.

Grotech Capital Group is a venture capital firm providing financing for early, expansion and later stage companies.
9690 Deereco Road,Suite 800,Timonium, MD 21093

IdeaShop.com: The place to buy and sell ideas for new businesses. It'snot a patent auction or business plan submission site -- these areundeveloped ideas. Now everybody, not just entrepreneurs, canparticipate in the New Economy, and it only takes a few minutes.

We have over 15 years experience offering business funding and up-front cash for items such as structured settlements, accounts receivable factoring, unsecured loans, business and real estate notes.

The M.I.T. Enterprise Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the entrepreneur community of the greater Washington-Baltimore area. The Forum reaches out to local start-ups, high technology, venture capitalists, angels, and the professionals who support them. The Forum hosts live case studies, networking, social functions, and live international satellite broadcasts.

The Mason Enterprise Center for Regional Analysis and Entrepreneurship aims to incorporate the ideas of innovation and entrepreneurship --individual initiative and individual responsibility--into the economy and society of the region. To accomplish this task, the center is focusing the energy, skills and intellectual capital of George Mason University on enterprise creation, expansion and restructuring. The Mason Center is managed by The Institute of Public Policy.
George Mason UniversityThe Institute of Public PolicyMason Enterprise CenterCentral Module 2C9, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
Tel : (703) 993-2268

The NVCA was established in 1973 to foster a better understanding ofthe importance of venture capital to the vitality of the U.S. economy. Today, the NVCA is the venture community's leading source of advocacy, professional development and information.

The Northern Virginia Small Business Development Center provides business assitance, counseling and training to growing companies and aspiring entrepreneurs.

SpaceVest's investment philosophy is based on the premise of building long-term, sustainable value. Its investment strategy incorporates an approach that begins with identifying high-growth markets that rely on or can benefit from space-related solutions. SpaceVest identifies and supports customer led, market-driven organizations. Its portfolio companies are the small to medium-sized, privately-held businesses with the leadership, talent, and expertise needed to capitalize efficiently on these growth opportunities.
11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 500
Reston, VA 20190
Tel: 703-904-9800

Our firm was established to help emerging companies grow and thrive in today's rapidly changing environment. We are positioned to assist our portfolio clients through every stage of their growth—from business conception, through IPO or merger, to the Fortune 1000 list and beyond. To help these companies build a solid foundation for success, to meet and exceed every expectation, is our goal.

The Abell Venture Fund focuses on a variety of industries and invests in companies either located in Baltimore City or willing to relocate here. With $25 million under management, we prefer to invest in businesses led by a strong management team, capable of reaching $30-$50 million in sales within 5 years, and with either a significant competitive advantage or the benefit of being the first in a large industry.

NVCA is the trade association that represents the venture capital industry. It is a member-based organization. Its membership consists of venture capital firms and organizations who manage pools of risk equity capital designated to be invested in young, emerging companies. Currently, the NVCA represents 400+ member firms, representing the majority of venture capital invested in U.S. based companies.

The Technology Advancement Program (TAP), a program of the Engineering Research Center, is an "incubator" facility offering space and support services for early-stage companies engaged in developing technology-based products or services with commercial potential. Companies involved in the Program can adapt their research to market requirements while gaining business experience. They also benefit from the extensive facilities and services available from the University of Maryland, one of the country's largest public research and teaching institutions.