The Telecommunications Industry Association (www.tiaonline.org) will host a forum designed to help educate company executives on how to best position a business for further venture capital.

The event, "TIA Ventures East: Winter 2001," will be held Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, N.J.

This all-day forum, sponsored by Lucent Technologies and supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the New Jersey Technology Council, will bring together young companies seeking growth funding, venture capitalists in search of sound business plans and others interested in learning more about the venture capital process. The forum will feature presentations from businesses, expert opinion from key players in the New Jersey venture capital community and networking opportunities.

Scheduled speakers include Bill Cadogan, general partner, St. Paul Venture Capital; Maxine Ballen, president, New Jersey Technology Council and Michael Conte, senior finance officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

"Bill, Maxine and Michael have a vested interest in economic development and they come from an area in the Northeast where venture capital activity is hot, so we are thrilled to have their support for our event," says John Vargo, vice president of business development at CyberPath, Inc. and co-organizer of the event. "New start-ups, as well as established companies, will surely benefit from their insights on today's market and learn ways to increase chances of obtaining funding and support."

The companies attending range from emerging technology start-ups to established companies, largely in the telecommunications arena. Venture capitalists include several East Coast-based firms and venture representatives from large technology software companies and manufacturers.