Venture Development Firm to Nurture Slipstream I Startups

Phoenix, AZ, December 15, 2009 - Slipstream Labs (SSL), the Phoenix-based venture development firm, today announced the closing of its first portfolio, Slipstream I. The firm will be shift its focus to advising its current portfolio companies.

Since its founding in 2008, Slipstream Labs has engaged over 15 entrepreneurial companies to accelerate their development and increase their probability of success including: Athenium Learning, America's Hometown Heroes, Buildproof, Crisp Enterprises, Hopscotch Kids, Humshakal, HyLo, Next Generation Insurance Group and Kreeda Games. Of these, nine are commercially available today, five have received outside investment, and five have either completed or are in the process of completing significant strategic partnerships.

SSL's founding partners include Robert Wallace, Anil Jain and John Fees. In addition to advising Slipstream I startups, the partners will be focusing on developing new businesses that build on their base of experience with entrepreneurial companies.

  • Robert Wallace is founder and CEO of katallaxy, a commercialization and business development firm that approaches marketing as a strategic business issue - addressing everything from design to product development - and builds IP for itself and its clients. www.katallaxy.com
  • Anil Jain is launching BrightMonk Innovation, a new product development company with a global footprint that will specialize in the creation of entrepreneurial products and businesses. www.brightmonk.com
  • John Fees is co-founder and CEO of Next Generation Insurance Group, a national insurance sales and marketing firm that enables consumers and organizations to manage risk affordably with "right-fit" insurance products. www.nextgenins.com

"Entrepreneurship continues to thrive, even in this economy. We feel privileged to have helped build these outstanding companies," said Anil Jain, managing partner. "The entrepreneurs we work with are driving dramatic innovations across a wide variety of industries, from mobile to IT to natural cosmetics, which is both exciting and rewarding."

Managing partner Robert Wallace added, "We have come to a natural inflection point for Slipstream Labs.  The entrepreneurs we support are beginning the journey of building successful companies, having transformed innovative ideas into operating businesses."

"Just since 2008, Slipstream Labs has catalyzed a great deal of value for both entrepreneurs and investors," said venture partner John Fees. "I look forward to taking part in future venture acceleration endeavors."

About Slipstream Labs
Slipstream Labs is a venture development firm that works closely with entrepreneurs, innovators and investors to build and grow promising companies. Slipstream Labs provides a concentrated set of business-building services to start-ups and growth companies - comprehensive venture development spanning business planning, strategic marketing, product management and strategic business development. www.SlipstreamLabs.com

Slipstream Labs LLC

Robert Wallace            
rwallace@slipstreamlabs.com

Anil Jain
ajain@slipstreamlabs.com