Event to showcase opportunities for financial institutions seeking to commit capital while featuring keynote speakers from High Frequency Economics who will provide an outlook on how the turmoil in the global economy will impact venture capital and private equity communities in 2009

NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Private Equity XXIII, being held on November 20th in New York City, will be one of this year's premier social and business development events for distinguished members of the private equity and venture capital communities. The event, which has already attracted more than 200 investment professionals from throughout the United States, will feature two of the world's leading economic consultants to institutional investors -- High Frequency Economics' Carl Weinberg, Chief Economist, and Ian Shepherdson, Chief U.S. Economist -- as keynote speakers.

The event will include a compelling program on the current financial crisis and the economic outlook for private equity investors. The forum will be extremely relevant for investors who are looking for fresh opportunities and to locate new financial partners in 2009. Companies presenting at the event will have been professionally screened from several hundred candidates, which will allow attendees to learn about potential portfolio investments that they are not likely to see anywhere else. More information about the event, including registration details and a list of select confirmed registrants, can be found at www.privateequityforums.com.

Mike Segal, President of M.J. Segal Associates, a founding sponsor of the event, notes, "Our marquis guest roster of over 150 of the nation's leading private equity and venture capital firms shows a real vote of confidence in the potential of early and later-stage investment opportunities, even against the backdrop of economic slowdown and liquidity issues facing the financial sector." Segal added, "We are pleased to see that there seems to be no shortage of entrepreneurial spirit and investor interest in the next generation of emerging growth companies -- which at the end of the day will be critical to fueling a turnaround and ensuring a healthy economy."

The conference will feature keynote addresses by Carl Weinberg, Chief Economist, and Ian Shepherdson, Chief U.S. Economist, of High Frequency Economics. Dr. Weinberg and Dr. Shepherdson will provide insight on the state of the global economy and financial markets, and what may be in store for private equity and venture capital investors in 2009 and beyond. Key topics of their talk will include:

• Will the government's $700 billion rescue plan solve liquidity issues for private equity investors?
• What is the outlook for the global economy and its impact on private equity investments?
• How will the outcome of the presidential election affect private equity in 2009 and beyond?

About M.J. Segal Associates

As a founding sponsor of Private Equity XXIII, M. J. Segal Associates has contributed its resources and expertise in the evaluation of companies that are presenting at the conference. Since 1992, M. J. Segal Associates has become a dependable resource for the institutional private equity investor. The focus of the firm to discover emerging growth companies with strong management where capital will be a catalyst for success. The Segal group looks for companies that a have proprietary edge in their product, service and/or distribution channel, a broad potential market with reasonable customer acquisition costs, combined with a realistic business model that can achieve future profitability.

About Starlight Investments

Starlight Investments, a founding sponsor of Private Equity XXIII, partners with small, high-growth technology and energy companies to prepare them for financing and to introduce them to appropriate funding sources. Starlight's investment banking services help qualified companies complete "best efforts" private placements ranging from $2 million to $20 million. The firm undertakes a complete due diligence investigation and provides assistance to its corporate finance clients in the preparation of offering materials to present to other investment bankers, venture capital firms and its network of angel investors. Founded in 1999 by Bryan Emerson, Starlight Capital is based in Houston and active throughout the US and Latin America. More information about Starlight Investments can be found at www.starlightcapital.com.

About High Frequency Economics

High Frequency Economics, based in Valhalla, NY, was established in 1988 to provide institutional investors with independent analysis of the global economy and markets. Its daily research is read by investment managers, asset allocators, traders and analysts at 350 institutions in over 25 countries worldwide.

THIS IS AN ADVANCE RESERVATION EVENT. COMPLIMENTARY PASSES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. EVENT WILL BE FULLY-BOOKED. TICKETS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILTY.

FOR LAST-MINUTE REGISTRATION, PLEASE CALL 866 657 3425 OR GO ONLINE TO HTTP://EVENTS.STARLIGHTCAPITAL.COM/EVENTS_REGISTER.ASP.

SOURCE M.J. Segal & Associates