Technology Bloodhound
June 30, 2003

By James Klein, Larta VOX Editor

Summit Specialty Chemicals LLC, a subsidiary of Japan's giant Sumitomo Corporation, wants to license and commercialize promising American nanotechnologies, but lacks on-the-ground experience finding them. Summit found Fidelys LLC, however, a Los Angeles-based provider of corporate advisory and investment banking services that tracks emerging technology companies, and has engaged Fidelys and its team of experts to identify and evaluate promising nanotechnology companies.

"We are very pleased to enter into this exciting collaboration with a company of Summit's worldwide stature," commented Rocky Springstead, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Fidelys. "Our role is to provide high quality, independent analysis and validation of companies participating in what is widely regarded as one of the most promising, widely applicable and highest growth technologies of the next decade."

"This assignment leverages our ability to identify attractive opportunities for large corporations, as well as private equity investors," added Springstead, who noted that Fidelys is singularly qualified for the assignment because of its "broad insight into emerging technologies, vast Rolodex of expert advisors in business, government and academia, and ability to move nimbly and decisively." Fidelys also provides "an experienced real-world business perspective," which enhances the value and reliability of its analysis.

Springstead also emphasized Fidelys' extensive knowledge of Southern California's "huge and dynamic entrepreneurial sector," which allows Fidelys to serve as a unique resource for global companies seeking licensing, investment or acquisition opportunities. "This region is a hotbed of emerging technologies and entrepreneurship," Springstead said, "and we are well positioned to provide large companies with entrée into this important market, which is largely below their radar."

Fidelys LLC also provides corporate advisory and investment banking services to the underserved middle market of firms with revenues between $5 million and $50 million, as well as offering private equity investors opportunities such as pre-screened and pre-qualified ventures, investment timelines and exit scenarios, and experience and vision regarding the viability of future technologies.

Fidelys is the first for-profit entity created by Larta, a respected business and technology think tank. Rohit Shukla, President and CEO of Larta, describes the need for creating Fidelys: "Major Wall Street investment banking firms have traditionally overlooked Southern California's marketplace of mid-size companies and generally are not structured to serve them. Large investment firms, with their higher cost structure, are focused at the upper end of the market."

"Within the six area codes comprising metropolitan Southern California, we estimate that there are more than 10,000 companies with revenues of $5 million to $50 million," said Springstead. "The reality is that Southern California is no longer corporate headquarters territory, but in fact consists principally of entrepreneurial and middle-market companies that are the future drivers of the regional economy. These enterprises have specialized needs that Fidelys is uniquely suited to address."

Shukla noted how Fidelys is enhanced through its relationship with Larta, which has helped companies that have raised more than $1.5 billion to date, and can provide Fidelys' clients with introductions to funding sources, as well as business plan formation and other essential services. "Fidelys builds upon Larta's ten years of success nurturing Southern California entrepreneurs and technology firms with a host of highly effective programs," said Shukla. "As a result, Fidelys can offer its clients extensive databases, a proven network of relationships and access to intellectual capital spanning many industries and technologies."

Fidelys is located at 714 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 750, Los Angeles, California, 90015. For more information, call 213-765-4832, or visit www.fidelys.net.

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