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Optical Capital Group Announces San Francisco Office with Executive-Level Appointments

Technology and Optical Networking Accelerator Appoints Max Straube to Position of President and Managing Director of Private Equity

COLUMBIA, Md. [Dec. 6, 2000] – Optical Capital Group, a Columbia, Md.-based technology and optical networking accelerator, announced the opening of its San Francisco office today. The office will be run by Max Straube, who recently joined Optical Capital Group as President and Managing Director of Private Equity, along with Dick Filippini, who will serve as Associate Director of Private Equity.

Mr. Straube joins Optical Capital Group from W.R. Hambrecht + Co., LLC, where he held the positions of Head of Corporate Finance and Head of Equities. Mr. Filippini was also at W.R. Hambrecht + Company as a member of the Communications Investment Banking Group.

"We're pleased to have Max and Dick join Optical Capital Group's talented management team," said John Spirtos, Vice Chairman of Optical Capital Group. "With the opening of our San Francisco office, we can provide hands-on support to Partner Companies on both coasts, enabling optical entrepreneurs to focus on accelerating their product development."

Optical Capital Group's San Francisco office was opened to assist with the identification of strategic opportunities on the West Coast and to provide Partner Companies based on the West Coast with access to Optical Capital Group's executive-level support services. These services include technical and strategic guidance, executive recruiting and human resources, sales and marketing, legal, finance, accounting and real estate services. The office is located at One Embarcadero Center, Suite 2405, in downtown San Francisco.

"Speed to market is what really matters as startup companies race to meet the bandwidth demands of new technology platforms," said Max Straube, president and managing and director of private equity. "We're excited about the opportunities in Silicon Valley and our ability to add value by becoming strategic partners with the companies we select."

By leveraging the extensive experience of its management team and advisory board, Columbia, Md.-based Optical Capital Group identifies and develops next-generation, fiber-optic technology companies for the purpose of delivering the communications networks of the future. To date, the company has focused on identifying strategic opportunities to partner with companies that focus on complementary segments of the telecommunications equipment markets.

For more information about Optical Capital Group, please visit our Web site at www.opticalcapitalgroup.com.

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