FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Investment Exchange announces the formation of TIE Ventures Corporation

"TIE Ventures Corporation is formed to provide start-up and emerging technology - based, entrepreneurial entities with coaching, financial, technical and professional advice and the capital they require to secure equity financing."

April 27, 2001 -- Over time, The Investment Exchange has observed that most entrepreneurs looking to raise capital are both unfamiliar with and ill prepared for that process. The expectations of many customers of The Investment Exchange have been quite unrealistic with respect to the time and resources required just to attract prospective investor interest, let alone secure equity financing.

On the other hand, there are many seed capital or early stage investment opportunities that warrant serious investor consideration. The problem for entrepreneurs and investors alike is that without proper preparation, due diligence and presentation there are missing elements of trust and confidence in the venture, prerequisites to investor participation.
At the same time, there are few places for the entrepreneur to turn for advice and help in these areas. Many "Fund-Seekers" have requested the help of The Investment Exchange, knowing that we have the knowledge and experience to fill that void. However, within its current mission and configuration, The Investment Exchange is not equipped to provide those services.

To fill that gap in the market, The Investment Exchange has created T.I.E. Ventures Corporation ("TIE VC"). TIE VC is not an "incubator" or a "business accelerator" in the sense that those terms have been overworked in "the new economy." TIE VC is really an active shareholders' representative on the management team or board of directors of its Client Company, providing professional assistance specifically to help the entity secure the total financing it is seeking.

In other words, TIE VC will not play a long-term role in the management of the Client Company or even in the formation of the venture. Rather, it is selecting as Client Companies only those entities that demonstrate viability on their own. These companies do not lack the know-how to run their own business, but rather the knowledge and resources to find capital in the marketplace. Likewise TIE VC does not intend to promote itself as an expert in the Client Company's industry, but rather in the business of raising capital. At the point in time when financing is secured, TIE VC's work is done.

The methodology employed is straightforward. TIE VC will identify prospects from various sources, primarily The Investment Exchange. TIE VC will propose a client relationship only to those pre-qualified prospects. The relationship will be offered to the prospect, subject to a due diligence process completed by TIE VC at the expense of the prospect. Upon successful completion of the due diligence process, the prospect will be accepted as a Client Company.

At that point, TIE VC will invest the time, resources and capital (up to $100,000) required to assist the Client Company achieve its funding objectives. TIE VC's activities could include preparing amendments to the Client Company's business plan, an introduction to prospective investors, preparation of proper investor presentation materials and arranging presentations to prospective investors. In return TIE VC would earn fees and an equity stake for its investment and participation in the project.