AT&T is recognized as the leading worldwide provider of IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading provider of wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services.

AT&T is currently expanding its video entertainment offerings. With the merger of AT&T and BellSouth, AT&T is committed to BellSouth's historic levels of charitable contributions, support of economic development and community activities. We pledge to make the communities where we live and work, including Charleston, as strong and vibrant as they can be.

B2B CFO® is the nation’s largest CFO firm serving entrepreneurial, growth and mid-market companies with revenues under $75 million. The firm’s partners have an average of 25 years of experience and each individual partner is a senior level executive with a broad range of expertise. I am the local partner of this national firm.

OVERVIEW:
Banyan Mezzanine Fund, L.P. was founded in 2002 to provide mezzanine capital to smaller middle-market companies headquartered primarily in the Southeast. Mezzanine capital is used to supplement a company's debt capacity beyond banks' credit limitations and is a substantially cheaper and less dilutive alternative to equity financing.

FUND SIZE:
Financing of $1 million to $5 million to companies which meet the investment criteria, generally structured in the form of subordinated debt with attached warrants (for the future purchase of common equity). Banyan can also arrange larger financings through its partners or affiliations with other firms. Such financings are typically used for growth expansion, acquisitions, recapitalizations and management buyouts.

TYPE:
Mezzanine capital

Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC, is a full-service firm of seasoned attorneys supported by an experienced staff of paralegals, medical and science professionals, engineers, chemists, law clerks, research assistants, accounting and administrative personnel. Barnwell Whaley has helped businesses conduct business in Charleston since 1938.

BB&T and its subsidiaries offer full-service commercial and retail banking and additional financial services such as insurance, investments, retail brokerage, corporate finance, international banking, leasing, trust, treasury services and asset management.

Since 1987, BB&T has completed the acquisition of more than 50 community banks and thrifts, more than 80 insurance agencies and more than 20 nonbank financial services companies.

BB&T's success can be directly linked to its unique culture and values system. A 30-page philosophy handbook outlines the company's 10 core values, which include, 'honesty' and 'justice. Other corporate tenets include a highly effective sales system which an emphasis on cross-selling, a commitment to continuous education for its employees, a disciplined credit culture and an experienced management team.

Another driving force behind BB&T's success is its unique community banking structure. Winston-Salem, N.C.-based BB&T divides its footprint throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic into autonomous regions, each with its own president. The structure is designed to push decision-making authority out into the branches. That allows BB&T to operate on a more personal level with individual and business clients, providing them with the kind of efficient, personalized attention they expect from a hometown bank.

One notable niche for BB&T continues to be its service to small business clients. The U.S. Small Business Administration has named BB&T as the nation's No. 1 small business-friendly bank in five of the past seven years.

OVERVIEW:
The BCD Council of Governments' Revolving Loan Fund's primary goal is job creation and protection. It is a federally initiated, state-backed program designed to assist businesses whose projects should improve the tri-county economy. Eligible uses for loans include the purchase of equipment and land and the improvement of real estate and building facilities. BCD Council of The BCD Council of Governments' Revolving Loan Fund's primary goal is job creation and protection. It is a federally initiated, state-backed program designed to assist businesses whose projects should improve the tri-county economy. Eligible uses for loans include the purchase of equipment and land and the improvement of real estate and building facilities. BCD Council of Governments also offers financing for working capital.

INVESTMENT SIZE:
The Revolving Loan Fund specializes in gap financing for an average of 3-5 years. The overall job creation to loan ratio must be one job per $10,000 in funds borrowed.

TYPE:
Revolving Loan Fund

The Bosworth Group is a collaboration of proven marketing, creative and media talents whose skills have been polished in America's largest centers of business and culture and who've made Charleston our home by choice. Collectively, we've been responsible for marketing several hundred national and international products and services. Now we serve regional and local marketers too, putting the insights, methods and disciplines gained in building national brands to work for every client.

Some of our services include: advertising & marketing strategies; branding, corporate identities, ad design, TV and radio commercials media planning and buying, marketing research, promotions & events, public relations and publicity, interactive marketing, website design and hosting, SEO/SEM.

OVERVIEW:
CHAP invests in early stage, growth-oriented companies in the Southeast US that have the potential to become $50 Million companies in 5 years, with a plan to get there.

CHAP seeks companies with sound management teams and solid business plans. The group tends to favor businesses with innovative technology or other proprietary IP and an independent board of advisors with relevant industry knowledge.

INVESTMENT SIZE:
CHAP investments range in size from $100 – 400k. Regional syndication with other angel groups can increase the investment amount to approx $1M.

TYPE:
Private Equity

OVERVIEW:
Microloan: The Microloan may be used for almost any business start-up or expansion purpose within Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties except to refinance existing debt, acquire real estate or improve applicant-owned real estate.

Small Business Incentive Loan Program: Provides loans to disadvantaged businesses for start-up or expansion within Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Loan proceeds may be used for almost any business-related purpose, including the improvement of real estate.

Revolving Loan Fund (LDC RLF): Provides loans to businesses within the City of Charleston for fixed assets and working capital. The project must create and/or save an average of one job for each $20,000 loaned. The project must also leverage private investment of at least $2.00 for every $1.00 of LDC RLF investment.

INVESTMENT SIZE:
Microloan: up to $35,000 For up to six years at a fixed interest rate of two percent over prime

Small Business Incentive Loan: up to $50,000 for up to ten years at a fixed rate interest rate tied to prime

LDC RLF Loan: up to $100,000 for up to ten years at a fixed rate of interest tied to prime

Note: A business applying for any of the above loans must be unable to obtain the financing elsewhere

TYPE:
All funds are non-bank loans

Hi. We’re Charleston Your Home (CYH), a boutique real estate agency specializing in the Charleston, SC real estate market. We escaped the big agency way of doing things and created our own path. It’s allowed us to be more nimble, more consumer-centric, more efficient, and more effective. Some say going broker-owner is risky business but at CYH it’s been an exciting and rewarding time. We were at a point where we needed the autonomy and the flexibility to turn on a dime, the ability to adopt new technologies, tools and approaches quickly, without corporate consensus.

Our motivation and imagination, our vision and our focus are all factors that contribute to our success. Singled out by industry experts for our exceptional Internet marketing capabilities, CYH was awarded the grand prize for “Best Agent Website” in 2007. Our connections throughout the real estate industry are strong, and we enjoy relationships that link us to some of the biggest names in real estate, from brokers to lenders, and technology providers.

It can't be denied that this business of real estate has changed dramatically in the past decade, and we believe there is no going back. It's how we move forward that will shape our industry and ready us for the future. Whether you’re here looking for a home or a better boss, we’re proud of where we’ve been and excited about where we’re headed.

We’ve had the pleasure of helping our clients achieve, and more importantly, exceed their goals. So come check out what makes us tick, peruse our website, and get a feel for what makes Charleston so special. If you like what you see, give us a holler. We’ll get together, eat some beignets, and talk!

Chastain Construction provides commercial construction services to a broad range of clients who expect excellent results. Chastain was founded in 1995 by a group who saw the need for a reliable, value-driven, and customer-centered construction company with a commitment to quality.

At Chastain, attention to detail is everything. As a professional general contracting firm, a team approach is used to make certain projects are delivered on-time, on-budget and of the highest quality. Costs are kept down and the savings are passed through to our clients.

Chastain's professionalism, attention to detail and commitment to the customer all serve to attract repeat business, generate referrals, and establish Chastain Construction, Inc. as one of the fastest growing companies in the South Carolina's Lowcountry.

Comcast Business Class delivers lightning-fast speed with features that can help take your business to the next level, along with reliability and customer service that lets you forget about your Internet service and get down to business. No wonder Comcast Business was ranked number one in small business broadband customer satisfaction.

Commonwealth is a business insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting firm serving clients across the nation. Our services include Property, Liability, Auto, Work Comp, Professional Liability, and Employee Benefits. By utilizing our proprietary enterprise risk review process, known as RECON 365, our clients develop a customized blueprint detailing how to minimize exposures to risk and proactively manage claims when they arise. Additionally, Commonwealth provides OSHA safety training and loss prevention services.

Within the city of Charleston, a very special island town has emerged. This is a place where traditional neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown enjoy a spectacular setting, surrounded by rivers and creeks and beautiful marsh views. It is a place where people live and work and play and learn. A place with a unique mix of shops and businesses, schools and churches, and a never-ending list of recreational options.

To live on Daniel Island is to inhabit a place rich with history. Once home to a native American tribe known as the Etiwan, the island later was inhabited by some of the first English settlers who arrived to establish the port city of Charles Town. These early landowners used the island's fertile land mainly for farming and established some of the most productive plantations in the region. Over the years portions of the island passed through various owners until, in 1947, the prominent Guggenheim family of New York purchased the entire island for cattle ranching and a family hunting retreat. When Harry Frank Guggenheim passed away, the land passed to his foundation, which sponsored a group of some of the top urban visionaries from around the country to develop a master plan to ensure the island would be responsibly developed. The island was sold to the Daniel Island Company in 1997 and today is being developed in accordance to the vision outlined in the master plan.

As part of South Carolina's Lowcountry, Daniel Island enjoys a spectacular natural setting and access to a variety of things to see and do. Sandy beaches, winding rivers, scenic marsh and a temperate climate make the Charleston Lowcountry attractive for outdoor activity year-round. The City of Charleston itself is a gem, combining a fascinating heritage with a contemporary appeal. At the heart of this vibrant region lies the relaxed island lifestyle of Daniel Island, a part of and yet apart from this great city.

Digital, CPE works to help owners and managers to run their business, but it is still your business. Digital CPE's training division offers seminars for your trade and professional association, business groups, and individual companies.

Topics include:

The Numbers School: Finance and accounting for non-financial managers. *Business plans

The Start up Business School
*Marketing plans

As the largest CPA firm based in the Southeast, Dixon Hughes combines deep industry experience, comprehensive accounting and advisory services and a strong commitment to personal service. We have over 1200 people located throughout the region and local members who direct these resources to your best advantage.

Dockview creates high-impact HD video to market your company or organization.

Whether it's video for your website, corporate presentations, or marketing DVDs for clients and trade shows, Dockview will work with you to script and produce content that is tailored to your business.

To learn more, or to receive a sample of recent video projects on DVD, please contact Dockview today.

DP Professionals specializes in placing highly trained IT professionals for contract employment and direct placement in industries such as banking, healthcare, insurance, utilities, manufacturing, as well as government and non-profit organizations. Whether you're seaching for technical professionals for short-term projects, long-term contracts, or highly specialized permanent positions, our dedicated recruiting team will handle all of your staffing needs.

DP Professionals is headquartered in Columbia, SC with over 100 employees serving the South Carolina market. DP Professionals has been certified as a woman-owned business by the South Carolina Governor's Office and by the National Women Business Owners Corporation.

Executive Team
Barbara Blau - President
Roger Blau - VP, Operations

Established in 1966, ECPI is an on-campus and online private college committed to a student-centered collegiate education. ECPI offers instruction in the fields of Computer Technology, Electronics, Health Sciences, Business and Criminal Justice.

ECPI is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, to award Bachelor of Science, Associates of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees.

Graduates are able to earn a degree at a more flexible, rapid pace than at most traditional colleges. Students are provided with an industry-driven curriculum, smaller class sizes, free tutoring, hands-on learning and instructors with industry experience. Career preparation is bolstered through soft skill development and externship.

Employers who work with ECPI graduates enjoy successful and dedicated professionals, ready to contribute to their organization. The Career Services Department provides employers with access to graduate resume's, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, online job postings, student externs and Advisory Board participation opportunities.

At eGroup, we deliver technology solutions for serious competitors.

Our solutions combine robust high-availability and performance with secure information access. Our solutions enable your employees and trusted partners to efficiently execute their revenue-driving roles. Our solutions achieve the goal of cutting your organization's acquisition and on-going support costs.

We understand that as a serious competitor you are an investment-oriented professional focused on making sound business decisions that provide significant returns. eGroup provides the thought leadership and expertise so that your technology investments continue to strengthen your competitive advantage.

After all, your success hinges on making critical business decisions that must be supported by your IT systems. By architecting high performance networking and computing platforms, and delivering the industry-proven systems engineering and application development expertise, eGroup gives you the confidence to make the right ones.

To keep up with eGroup, please visit our blog.

OVERVIEW:

Frontier Capital is a private equity firm that provides expansion capital to established, high-growth business service companies. These companies range from traditional to tech-enabled and deliver a differentiated service to their customers.

Frontier seeks companies that have a proven solution in the marketplace and need capital to accelerate growth, make acquisitions, or generate shareholder liquidity. The firm is based in Charlotte, NC and invests throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

INVESTMENT SIZE:
Frontier makes $5 - $10 million equity investments for growth and partial liquidity.

Investment prospects typically have $5 -$30 million in revenue, strong growth, high gross margins and exceptional management.

TYPE:
Private Equity

HR-4Hire offers a la carte Human Resource consulting services and support to local companies. Our customized, cost effective HR solutions are tailored to meet the unquie needs of your business Our expertise includes the following areas: Boutique Recruiting, Regulatory Compliance, Compensation & Benefits and Performance Management systems. Whether you need assistace with a HR related project or desire to fully outsource your HR department, let HR4Hire provide you with relevant, cost effective service.

Keystone Business Advisory Services, LLC provides business consulting services to start-up and growing organizations. Many organizations need individuals with expertise in the areas of strategic planning, business plan development, budgeting and cash flow management but have limited resources. Keystone Business Advisory Services, LLC provides companies with the expertise they need. We also offer business performance analysis, contract CFO/Controller services, and project accounting services.

Knight Press provides high quality printing for large and small businesses. Our focus is to improve your company's image and reinforce your corporate branding through printed pieces. We assist you in planning and executing so that the materials will differentiate your company from your competition while keeping value and the end use in mind.

Knowledge Capital Group, LLC (KCG) is a performance optimization and process improvement firm. We serve as advisors to both non-profit organizations and for-profit enterprises. Through the clarification of key business needs and opportunities, KCG quickly implements strategic, operational, and organizational change to enable clients to become more efficient, effective and profitable. We work at all organizational levels – whether on a Board-driven initiative to develop a strategic plan, a divisional effort to improve sales performance or operating margins, a departmental project to improve employee performance and retention, or at the individual level providing an executive with mentoring and coaching. Our collaborative style is direct and results oriented. We understand how to balance the urgency that comes with initiating change, with the need to have the changes adopted, not just implemented. Whether organizations need to improve corporate performance or build programs for sustainable philanthropy, KCG ensures results.

Created in 2001 through a partnership of the College of Charleston, The Citadel and the Medical University of South Carolina, the Lowcountry Graduate Center (LGC) was developed to expand the opportunities for graduate education in the Lowcountry. The LGC is working to add graduate programs that will have the greatest impact on the economic development of the region. The LGC is located in North Charleston, on the road to the airport, and shares facilities with the College of Charleston North Campus.

We believe that finding insurance should be simple and that service is key. Our goal as consultants is to collaborate with you to facilitate your finding the best insurance plan for you, your family or your business. Once you choose a plan, we will continue to communicate with and educate you regarding industry information that impacts you and your business.

Moody CPAs & Advisors LLC is an accounting  firm dedicated to solving client problems and helping them succeed. Moody CPAs does this by listening to the client’s unique concerns and together devising the proper approach to address issues that may keep you up at night. That’s what we expect from other professionals and we hope that’s what you want from us.

Moore Data provides Process Development/Analysis, Data Mining (Deep Data Sets), JMP Statistical Research Analysis/Development, and REMI/IMPLAN Economic Impact Analysis for Government, Industry, and Environmental Organizations.

Nexsen Pruet is one of the largest full-service law firms in the Southeastern United States, providing advice to start-ups, individuals and large entities. Our attorneys know how to help you find the right balance of innovation, adaptation, and risk management that can transform a great idea into an even greater success. Let us help you. For more information please visit www.nexsenpruet.com.

OVERVIEW:
Nexus Medical Partners, with offices in Boston, Charleston, and Munich, is a private equity firm focused on investments in medical technology, life science and other selected investment areas such as advanced materials where the partners have experience. Nexus invests throughout Europe and North America.

Nexus is managed by a seasoned team of investment professionals (averaging 20 years of investment and relevant operating experience). Nexus seeks well-managed companies addressing attractive markets, ranging from start-ups to early revenue companies.

INVESTMENT SIZE:
Nexus has a fund dedicated to SC from which it invests $1-3 million per portfolio company. Nexus has other affiliated funds that are capable of coinvesting additional capital as appropriate.

TYPE:
Private equity

Since 1993, Premier Communications & Consulting, Inc. has designed, installed and supported structured cabling systems for voice, data, video, and BAS. Premier has evolved into an end-to-end structured cabling systems design-build services contractor to commercial, military/government, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

Progressive Lab Solutions is a full service laboratory furnishings supplier. We offer laboratory casework, fume hoods and related equipment for a broad range of applications and budgets.

Our team previously operated as a regional office for a national manufacturer and supplier of laboratory casework and associated items. As our business grew we formed our own entity offering the same high quality products and superior service. Our ability to serve has flourished as we are now able to make all project decisions at the local level.

The philosophy with which we conduct business at PLS revolves around several key beliefs.

• Offer only quality products.
• Provide a quality and complete installation.
• Provide honest and timely information throughout each project.

Please contact us before building your new laboratory or renovating an existing space.

We leverage our diverse backgrounds as architects, designers, marketers and consumers to develop creative solutions that are a unique fusion of imagery, movement, ideas and experience.

If we must wear a label, it's that of a full-service creative and marketing studio. Okay, but what do we actually do?

We build + maintain strong brands. And we do so by starting at the most important place– the experience. How do people experience it? Whether the "it" is you, your product, your service or your building.

From there, we go anywhere. (And by anywhere, we mean logo design to packaging and motion graphics and everywhere in between).

T-Mobile USA is a national provider of wireless voice, messaging, and data services capable of reaching over 268 million Americans where they live, work, and play. Around the country, our Personal Coverage Check gives customers a clear picture of their local coverage.

T-Mobile USA is the US operating entity of T-Mobile International AG, the mobile communications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT). Deutsche Telekom is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, with nearly 120 million customers worldwide.

TPMG provides companies the resources they need to support their IT requirements. For companies that have internal IT projects, but lack the inhouse resources or expertise to develop these projects, TPMG is able to provide the ability to deliver these projects, while allowing companies to focus on their core business. For companies that have short term need of subject matter experts, TPMG offers Staff Augmentation services, that allow clients to gain the resources that are needed for the duration required. Finally, when our clients have the need to hire new IT talent, we provide our experience in IT and leverage that expertise to find the people that they are looking for.

The Technology Office provides IT Services and Support for small to medium sized business. Staff Augmentation, IT Consulting, On-Site Services and Support, Disaster Recovery.

Trevelino/Keller Communications Group (TKCG) is a strategic and creative public relations agency for both established and emerging companies. From the introduction of the Packard Bell 286 to the launch of Internet pioneer, CompuServe and modern day ISP, MindSpring/EarthLink, TKCG has had the opportunity to work with technology start-up companies using technology to break new ground. We have also done extensive B2B work and know how to penetrate vertical markets.

We are efficient, effective, strategic and creative. There's no deviating from that mantra when working with a technology company. Often we begin by helping companies articulate an understandable position. Then we take that position to every third party outlet that can influence the client's reputation and thought leadership position. From there, it's an ongoing battle in the trenches, each and every day, to inform, educate, influence and persuade those audiences that can deliver the greatest positive impact to the business.

TKCG has extensive experience working with start-ups and we are very sensitive to the financial pressures of young companies. Emerging brands like the fact that we can manage the process for them, responsibly, maturely -- and always with one eye on the budget and the other on the results. We believe in young companies so much that in 2006 we created The Start-Up Council out of a belief that the next generation of emerging companies is on the horizon. To foster that community, the Council meets each quarter, in a roundtable setting with entrepreneurs to hear their business case for the next great start-up. The group offers advice and insight on business development, funding, marketing, public relations, legal, accounting, outsourcing and branding.