Mercatus & Partners Limited and American Institutional Partners (
AIP ) announce they have signed a Master Option Agreement to protect
Mercatus' equity investments in US corporations.
This follows the start up of Mercatus innovative funding program
for its portfolio.
Mercatus' support for US corporations includes equity infusion and
arranging financing through grants. This program is dedicated to US
and European companies participating in Mercatus Technology Transfer
program. The program aims to foment transcontinental ventures partners
between best-of-breed, technology-driven, small-cap public companies
in all sectors.
Several US corporations, mainly small- and medium-sized companies
that qualify to be listed in an exchange, have started to benefit by
receiving funds of more than $1 million US Dollars. This unique
program is intended to benefit a large number of US small- and
micro-cap companies by getting access to capital and extensive
relationships with European Joint Venture partners that can add value
by giving access to new distribution channels or manufacturing
capacities.
The Kylla Group--a Pan-European corporate finance house focusing
on funding identification solutions, partner solutions and exit
solutions throughout Europe--is a key Mercatus strategic partner in
this program and member of the value chain. Kylla's contribution is to
identify of Joint Venture partners, raise funds and provide expertise
in evaluation and implementation of Joint Venture partner's business
plans.
The Mercatus Joint Venture program is continuing with millions of
US dollars to be deployed before year-end 2006. Designated companies
will be given unique opportunities to showcase their technology and
innovations and establish key relationships with European partners.
The Master Option Agreement with American Institutional Partners
is designed to provide investment protection for Mercatus' investment
portfolio in relation to its funding program. The investment
protection has been specifically designed by AIP with an innovative
and sophisticated technical approach, and it represents the initial
step in a long-term, cooperative relationship between the two
companies.
Stefano Cevolo, Mercatus' CEO, states that "After an enormous
financial effort and years of preparation, the program is now
completed and is now funding US corporations with a consistent and
steady money flow. "
Stefano Cevolo continues : "The agreement signed with AIP is a
major step and we expect to further develop this business relationship
. We feel we have met the right partner for our long term business
needs and they have been capable to provide a tremendous asset to our
transactions. "
Cary Masi, Mercatus' appointed agent for the US, explains, "The
completion of the first stage of funding is now confirming what
Mercatus has been saying since inception. Mercatus' funding program
and the Joint Venture program for Technology Transfer are the perfect
solution for small-cap America. The Agreement with AIP provides the
final piece and we are very pleased to have them with us in this long
term strategic alliance . "
Matt Tullis, Managing Partner of American Institutional Partners,
confirms, "We are now entering into the second stage of our
relationship with Mercatus and the Technology Transfer Program,
playing a more dynamic role and providing protection for its key
investment positions. We are confident that we can build a long term
relationship with Mercatus that will change the way small-cap
companies access investment capital."
Mercatus Partners is a U.K , privately owned , business advisor
and private equity investment firm with offices in London and Rome ,
Italy.
American Institutional Partners is a privately-owned, structured
investment firm with offices in New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Salt Lake
City, UT; Nashville, TN; and Palm Beach, FL. AIP specializes in
structuring unique investments providing yield improvement, security
enhancement, hedged protection, regulatory compliance, and tax
benefits. Since 2003 AIP has created over $1 Billion USD in structured
securities transactions meeting the needs of its investors.
