HedgeCo.net – June 27, 2007 – Yorkville Advisors LLC, the investment manager to Cornell Capital Partners — a private investment firm that specializes in structured finance and direct investments –today announced the launch of an Israeli operation as part of its continued global expansion. The move comes on the heels of the firm opening an office in Milan, Italy in March.
Based in Tel Aviv, Cornell Israel Limited will be staffed initially by a team of five executives under a joint venture with Amos Bentzur and Co, a leading Israeli law firm headed by Amos Bentzur.According to the agreement, Amos Bentzur and Co. will act as the exclusive agent for sourcing deals for Cornell Capital Partners in Israel.
This is a major development for Cornell and its an honor to have a presence in a nation that has more biotech start-ups per capita than any other country, said Mark Angelo, Founder of Cornell CapitalPartners. We have already invested in several Israel-based companies and are excited about pursuing many more opportunities.
Mr. Angelo added that Cornell would focus on Israeli companies listed on the Tel Aviv Exchange, but continue to finance those that are listed on other leading global exchanges.
Cornell Capital is a clear leader in providing structured finance solutions and we are proud to be a partner with them to seize on the great opportunities in the Israeli market, said Mr. Bentzur.
Cornell added that while its primary focus is to target companies in Israel, the Tel Aviv office would be used as a gateway to access other key regions in the Middle East and Central Asia.
We have been greatly encouraged by the initial meetings we have had with leaders from the investment, exchange and regulatory communities and we are thrilled to move forward, added Angelo.
About Yorkville Advisors/Cornell Capital Partners
Founded in 2001, Cornell Capital Partners, L.P., is a private investment firm that specializes in structured finance and direct equity investments in private and public companies. According toKnobias Pipe Trac, Cornell was one of the most active investors in the U.S. in terms of the number of structured equity financings in 2006. Cornell structured over $800 million in committed equitycapital in over 100 transactions in the U.S. and around the globe within the last 12 months. Yorkville Advisors LLC is the Investment Manager to Cornell Capital Partners ,which is headquartered inJersey City, NJ, has offices in London, Milan, Tel Aviv, San Diego, CA, and Jupiter, FL.
About Amos Bentzur and Co.
Amos Bentzur & Co., located in Tel Aviv Israel is a multidisciplinary commercial law firm, serving public and private companies, private equity investors, governmental agencies, educational andresearch institutions, charitable organizations, and individuals. The firm serves as special counsel to businesses in complex litigation and business transactions for both domestic and foreignclients in transnational commercial and financial transactions. The firm has vast experience in venture capital and private equity transactions, IPOs, M&A transactions, LBO’s and MBO’s. The firmhas a close collaboration with EILAM GROUP, a diversified Investment Company founded by Partner Amos Bentzur to structure unique business and investments opportunities for investors in Singapore,India, Europe and Israel via the groups offices in Vietnam.
Armel Leslie l Walek & Associates l Office: 212.590.0530 l Cell: 914.320.7620 l aleslie@walek.com
Sophie Sophaon l Walek & Associates l Office: 212.590.0522 l Cell: 202.270.4870 l ssophaon@walek.com
