Wireless industry leaders have created a platform to help young wireless companies from around the globe get a head start in setting up shop – the second annual Wireless Seed Stage Forum 2008 will be held in Austin, Texas on October 14th, on the first day of the 2008 Texas Wireless Summit, and will soon be open for registration.

“As we worked in the wireless industry, we saw a need for better support of young companies and wanted to provide innovative wireless start-ups with an opportunity to bring their business plans to life,” said Erin Defosse, Chairman, Austin Wireless Alliance. “The Wireless Seed Stage Forum is designed to do just that, by matching promising seed stage wireless start-ups with experienced investors seeking funding opportunities in the wireless space.”

Wireless start-ups must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Must have a pre-production or demonstrable product
• Seek less than $2 million in a first round of external seed funding
• Be recently established (less than two years old) and have less than 10 full-time employees

Eligible entrepreneurs must submit their business plan and a nominal $500 fee by Tuesday, September 4, to vie for various levels of participation in the Wireless Seed Stage Forum (registration form may be found at http://www.seedstageforum.com/). All business plans submitted will be reviewed by wireless industry experts and put in front of applicable and interested investors. A panel of industry experts will review all plans and select one of three levels of participation for each company:

• Level I – Pitch: Selected companies will take the stage to conduct a 10 to 20 minute pitch to relevant seed stage investors. In addition, two members from each selected company will be invited to attend a VIP dinner with key investors and industry executives taking part in the 2008 Texas Wireless Summit. Chosen start-ups in this category will also be given two free passes and demonstration space at the 2008 Texas Wireless Summit, as well as networking and feedback opportunities throughout the event. Lastly, wireless industry experts will vote on the best business plan presented from this group.
• Level II – Attend: Selected companies will be invited to attend the Wireless Seed Stage Forum, thus securing valuable networking and feedback opportunities with wireless industry experts and seed stage investors. Chosen start-ups in this category will also be given two free passes and demonstration space at the 2008 Texas Wireless Summit.

Accredited angel and seed stage institutional investors with a focus on wireless technologies are invited to attend the Wireless Seed Stage Forum. During this inaugural event, investors will listen to pitches from pre-selected wireless start-ups and participate in valuable networking opportunities with start-up companies and wireless industry experts alike. Additionally, attendees of the Wireless Seed Stage Forum will receive a discount to attend the 2008 Texas Wireless Summit. The registration fee for accredited investors is $100.

Wireless start-ups and seed stage investors should visit http://www.seedstageforum.com/ for more information on registration.

Those interested in the Wireless Seed Stage Forum should also visit http://www.twsummit.com/ to learn more about the 2008 Texas Wireless Summit, a two-day executive conference held immediately following the Wireless Seed Stage Forum on October 14th to 16th in Austin, Texas. The 2008 Texas Wireless Summit brings together industry leaders to discuss and plan for the business models and disruptive technologies that will define the future of the wireless industry. Keynotes include executives from Texas Instruments and Verizon Wireless.

About the Austin Technology Incubator
The ATI is a nonprofit technology business accelerator that harnesses local business, government and academic resources to provide strategic counsel, operational guidance, and infrastructure support to early stage ventures in order to accelerate them transition into successful technology based businesses. ATI enables its members to successfully compete in the global marketplace by linking them with ATI's worldwide network of industry leaders, experts from academia and professional service providers. ATI companies have raised more than $720 million in capital, generated more than $1.5 billion in yearly revenue and created more than 10,000 total jobs. The ATI is a key program of the IC2 Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. For more information please visit www.ati.utexas.edu.

About the Austin Wireless Alliance
The Austin Wireless Alliance (AWA) is a non-profit membership organization whose primary objective is to develop, sustain, and promote Austin as a global leader in business activity, technical innovation, and community participation within the wireless industry. The AWA is a leader in the development and coordination of the major strategic wireless initiatives in Austin and the Central Texas region. The AWA is composed of key leaders from all primary stakeholders in Austin including the business, academic, community, and government sectors.  For more information please visit http://www.austinwirelessalliance.org/.

Press contact:
Melissa Rabeaux
Marketing Communications for ATI
512.695.6377
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