Entrepreneurs Receive Local Investment Jumpstart from FundingUniverse

CrowdPitch Debut Provides Recession Relief by Bringing Local Angel Investors and
Entrepreneurs Together in Phoenix
PHOENIX--(Business Wire)--
FundingUniverse (www.fundinguniverse.com), a leader in connecting qualified
entrepreneurs with active investors and lenders across the United States,
announced they will host the first-ever CrowdPitch event in Phoenix on October
28, 2009.

Details about the launch: www.fundinguniverse.com

CrowdPitch, designed to drive the next generation of economic growth, is a
platform that allows companies in the Phoenix area the opportunity to pitch
their business to both a panel of investors and a live audience of other
business owners. With qualified angel investors looking to fund, the panel
provides real-time feedback and an opportunity for resources to find their way
to the best ideas.

"Over the past couple of years, FundingUniverse has developed a strong network
of highly qualified angel investors in and around Phoenix," said Alex Lawrence,
Chief Evangelist and Partner at FundingUniverse. "These investors are ready to
invest now in the best ideas in Phoenix, and the CrowdPitch event creates an
important opportunity for local entrepreneurs."

FundingUniverse will provide the winning company the equivalent of $20,000 in
equipment and services. Included in the prize pack is six months of rent in the
Phoenix area, telephone, computers, legal and financial services, a corporate
website, search engine optimization, and basic office furniture. There is no
cost for entrepreneurs to present at CrowdPitch.

"FundingUniverse is committed to investing in the Phoenix business community,"
said Lawrence. "Phoenix has been hit particularly hard by the real estate bubble
and more and more people are looking at becoming entrepreneurs as a way to
building a better future. This CrowdPitch event is represents just one part of
FundingUniverse`s efforts to help local entrepreneurs rebuild the Phoenix
economy."

The six entrepreneurs selected to participate in the first-ever FundingUniverse
CrowdPitch event in Phoenix include: TextID, CJC Enterprises, Digital Consumer
Solutions, Heritage Designs, Battery Management System, and Text A Day.

Over the past nine months, FundingUniverse has helped more than 1,000
entrepreneurs secure more than $35 million in financing. FundingUniverse not
only connects qualified entrepreneurs with active VCs, angel investors and
lending sources, but also helps entrepreneurs helping to create business plans
and pitches, advising them on strategic business direction and papering them for
investor/bank scrutiny.

To learn more, visit
http://www.youtube.com/user/FundingUniverse#p/a/u/0/79sk1BB48Ow.

CrowdPitch Event

FundingUniverse will host its CrowdPitch event on Wednesday, October 28,
beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Gangplank suite 34, 3325 East Elliot Road, Chandler,
AZ.

About FundingUniverse:

FundingUniverse connects qualified entrepreneurs with active angels, VCs, and
lenders across the United States. They provide services that make entrepreneurs
Deal-Ready, prepare companies for investor scrutiny with their Funding Bootcamp,
lender ScoreCard and Venture Consulting Services.

Once prepared, entrepreneurs are introduced to the appropriate financing source:
a network of active investors and lenders who rely on FundingUniverse to save
them time by bringing qualified business deals. Through FundingUniverse,
investors have access to pre-screened deal-flow organized to their personal
investment preferences and can request a pitch from an entrepreneur virtually or
in person. For more information, visit www.fundinguniverse.com.

PilmerPR
John Pilmer, 801-369-7535
jpilmer@pilmerpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009