Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Mon, July 6, 2009
Fri, July 3, 2009
Thu, July 2, 2009 Catalyst Ventures, Inc.: WorldVest Signs MOU for $100MM Vintage Korea Investment Fund
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - July 2, 2009) - Catalyst Ventures, Inc. dba "WorldVest" (
With the support of KOTRA, WorldVest will seek to deploy $100 million over the next three years into mature high-growth Korean companies seeking to expand globally and list publicly on a U.S. exchange. In the past year, WorldVest has been fortunate to develop a strong relationship with KOTRA and to participate in a number of their recent Foreign Investment Forums. The Company could not be more pleased that this relationship has led to an opportunity to formalize its presence in the Korean market, one which we believe will be long lasting and highly profitable.
As a global company which seeks to identify unique investment opportunities within the fastest growing global economies, WorldVest has been actively evaluating opportunities to invest in Korea for more than one year now. WorldVest has had a number of promising preliminary meetings with Korean companies in recent months and looks forward to completing its first investment within Korea in 2009.
A number of the company's senior executives have spent time living and working in Seoul and as a result have a unique appreciation for the opportunities available to investors in Korea. WorldVest CEO Garrett K. Krause described the Korean Market and the relationship with KOTRA as "a tremendously attractive market for disruptive global technologies and unique opportunity to invest in and partner with rapidly growing companies by providing 'smart capital' and strategic resources to assist in their continued global growth."
Specifically, WorldVest recognizes Korea as a global leader in Information Technology (IT). Accordingly, we have a strong interest in identifying future market leaders within this sector, among others, and assisting them in accessing the global capital markets. Based on its initial exploration into this market, WorldVest has found Korean IT companies to be of the highest caliber in their technological prowess, business practices, and financial transparency. Further, Korean IT companies have demonstrated an ability to provide innovative solutions and services to their customers in such a way that they can be broadly adopted on a global basis.
According to the KOTRA website, "Since its foundation in 1962, KOTRA has been committed to promoting mutual prosperity between Korea and its trading partners by facilitating international commerce and investment." The agency was credited for attracting more than $12 billion in foreign direct investment in 2008. As a result of their efforts, Korea currently has the 12th largest GDP in the world and is among the global market leaders in the technology and automotive industries. Additionally, the Korean government continues to implement policies to further stimulate growth and establish Korea as a global economic power, including recent completion of the "Korea- US Free Trade Agreement" as well as nationwide initiatives promoting English education.
KOTRA President, Dr. Cho Hwan-ik, told reporters during the MOU ceremony, "Small and midsized local companies will be able to grow into global corporations if they get sufficient invested (sic) from overseas." Dr. Cho further referenced the recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development which confirmed Korea's global competitiveness in the IT business sector. According to the OECD report, Korea's exports in the information and communication technology sector topped major world economies. The OECD said Korea's trade surplus in the IT sector was $43.3 billion in 2007, the most among the 30 richest countries.
About Catalyst Ventures, Inc. dba WorldVest
WorldVest is a global merchant bank that offers not only traditional investment banking, asset management and advisory services, but also makes direct investments as a principal in select high-growth transactions on a global basis. WorldVest seeks to set a new standard, emerging as a partner and solution provider where one did not previously exist. WorldVest is a majority controlled subsidiary of WorldVest Equity, Inc. (
For more information about Catalyst Ventures, Inc. dba WorldVest, please refer to the company's website at [ www.WorldVestGroup.com ].
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including market acceptance of the Company's services and projects and the Company's continued access to capital and other risks and uncertainties outlined in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated herein by reference. The actual results the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements.
