Fifth International Venture Capital Forum, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, 16 & 17 June 2004
Call for Expression of Interest

The Hellenic Center for Investment (ELKE), the New Economy Development Fund (TANEO), the Innovation Relay Centre HELP-FORWARD with the cooperation of the Hellenic Venture Capital Association invite entrepreneurs and researchers having ambitious and innovative business plans to participate in bilateral business meetings with Greek and International Venture Capital firms during the 5th International Venture Capital Forum.

The event takes place under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance.


For the first time, the "Best Business Plan Prize" will be awarded to three Business Plans selected by the VCs that will participate in the 5th International Venture Capital Forum.
The 5th International Venture Capital Forum is a unique two-day event dedicated to raising financing for ambitious and dynamic entrepreneurs, business oriented researchers and new technology-based firms in Southeast Europe. The event also provides a forum for institutional and other investment professionals to meet with policy makers, entrepreneurs, academics and researchers for an open exchange of views and ideas. The 5th International Venture Capital Forum is now the largest international private equity forum in Southeast Europe.

The Event will take place in Hotel Grande Bretagne, in Athens, on 16 & 17 June 2004. Businessmen, researchers, policy makers from SouthEast Europe and East Mediterranean, and in particular from Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM, Greece, Israel, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, are invited to attend, present their business ideas and discuss venture opportunities in dedicated bilateral meetings.

Venture capital firms are requested to present their availability and interest to explore the Event Portfolio and new entrepreneurs and researchers are invited to submit their business plan the latest by 14 May 2004, via the Event website (www.5vcforum.gr ). For the first time, the "Best Business Plan Prize" will be awarded to three Business Plans selected by the VCs.

Best Business Plan Prize

For the first time, the "Best Business Plan Prize" will be awarded to three Business Plans selected by the VCs that will participate in the 5th International Venture Capital Forum. The VCs will evaluate the submitted business plans based on the following criteria:

• Business idea - Innovative aspects

• Qualities of the management team

• Market potentials - Competitive advantage

• Expected returns

• Presentation - Integrity of business plan

The best three business plans will be announced and awarded during the 5th International Venture Capital Forum.

€3000 will be offered to the first winner,

€2000 to the second and

€1000 to the third.

Apart from the above, the 5th International Venture Capital Forum offers a special prize of €1000 to the best business plan drafted by post-graduate students. In case that this business plan is also included in the top category, the special prize will be offered to the next runner up.