SWISS PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM VENGROW CORPORATE FINANCE, AG LAUNCHES MATTERHORN FUND 06 AND SELECTS CONTRACO’S M&A GROUP AS ADVISOR

Launch of $100 Million Fund is VenGrow’s Response to the Rapid Growth of the Buyout Market for Small and Mid-sized Swiss Companies in the Precision Mechanical, Electrical and Engineering industries (MEM industries) as well Financial Services Sector. These Swiss industries are renowned worldwide for their efficiency, innovation and technical leadership.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND and BOSTON, MA (May 9, 2006) – VenGrow Corporate Finance, AG, a leader in Swiss private equity, structured finance and equity research, announced today it will proceed with the formation of a Swiss-based investment fund specifically designed for international investors looking to invest in Switzerland’s buyout and business succession market which has significantly expanded due to recent tax rulings and regulatory changes in Switzerland’s finance sector. VenGrow seeks to raise $100 million to support initial deal flow. To support a global participation in the fund’s limited partnership, VenGrow named Europe-based Contraco as principle advisor.

The Matterhorn Fund 06 will focus on established small and medium-sized high growth companies in Switzerland’s core growth sectors of precision mechanical, electrical and engineering industries (MEM industries) as well as financial services. VenGrow pursues a proven Buy-and-Build strategy by setting-up sector clusters to optimize business potential and growth. VenGrow launched the Matterhorn Fund 06 based upon the active interest of investors in its European Buyout Fund I. The structure of the new fund will allow for limited partner participation from global markets and will offer a reduced minimum participation requirement due to broad-based private investor desires to invest within a Swiss private equity fund. VenGrow is one of only a few licensed private equity fund General Partners in Switzerland.
“We believe there are over 700 small to mid-sized target companies in Switzerland impacted per year by recent banking changes which effect their ability to engage in business succession transactions and structured finance solutions with the traditional Swiss banking system, and offer our new fund a deal flow not seen in most private equity markets,” said Andreas Buenter, VenGrow’s Managing Partner & Founder.  “Contraco offers our fund’s global limited partners a single-source partner possessing the unique cultural skills required to support a fund launch in Switzerland, experience in growing and improving service and technology-based companies, as well as having access to capital markets throughout the world.”

“VenGrow’s insight into the shift of transaction capital from traditional Swiss banks towards the few private equity funds operating in Switzerland reflects their role as a market leader,” Jonathan Holley, Contraco’s Executive Vice President of M&A Services, said in Zurich today.  “The outside investor views Switzerland as a country with one of the most advanced financial services markets in the world.  Whereas this is, indeed, true for commercial and private banking, the private equity buyout sector is just now gathering momentum.  We are excited to be VenGrow’s partner at this moment in the Swiss market”.
The Matterhorn Fund 06 will open May 15, 2006 for prospective investors.

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