12/29/11 – Last Chance to Apply for April 2012 Venture Capital Forum is Approaching

St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 29, 2011… The final application date for InvestMidwest’s 2012 Venture Capital Forum is quickly approaching, with just about two weeks to go until the Jan. 13 cutoff.  The annual forum is the Midwest’s premiere venture capital event and will take place April 4-5 in St. Louis. Entrepreneurial high-growth companies throughout the Midwest interested in seeking venture capital to advance their ideas must submit their applications by Jan. 13 in order to be considered for participation in the forum. Selected companies will have the opportunity to present their business plans to an audience of the nation’s top venture capitalists, corporate and private investors and investment bankers.  All high-growth companies in the life sciences, technology and clean energy/sustainability industries are encouraged to visit the newly revamped website at www.investmidwestforum.com , where they can complete the application online.

The event annually showcases approximately 45 high-growth companies with the potential to generate at least $20 million in annual revenue within five years. Investors from the fields of life sciences, technology and clean energy/sustainability will be on hand to review company presentations within these three separate tracks.

InvestMidwest 2011 attracted 300 attendees, including over 70 venture capital professionals who heard presentations by 43 growth-oriented companies from nine states.  To date, companies that have presented at InvestMidwest have gone on to secure in excess of $850 million in total investments.

“The response has been good so far this year but we still have open slots to fill, and I look forward to receiving additional applications and proposals from throughout the Midwest,” noted Chris Walsh, executive director of InvestMidwest. “We are eager to complete the selection process and give promising companies this exciting opportunity to make their case before potential investors at the 2012 forum.”

Selection of presenting companies is based on a company’s value proposition, management team, products or services, marketing strategy, market opportunity and financial summary. Those firms selected will receive presentation guidelines and guidance to ensure the presenters meet the forum’s professional presentation standards.

“At a time when the challenges in the overall economy continue to impact venture capital activity, we recognize the important role we play as we pursue our mission of providing access to equity capital for emerging, privately held companies seeking funds in excess of $1 million,” adds Walsh.

The 13th Annual InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum is supported by a diverse group of public and corporate sponsors. The organizational sponsors include the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), Missouri Venture Forum, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and KCSourceLink .

For more information or to obtain an application, visit www.investmidwestforum.com  or call 314.444.1151.

For more information, contact:

Julie Hauser, The Hauser Group, 314.436.9090

Chris Walsh, InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum, 314.444.1151