FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  JUNE 2, 2006

MEDIA ADVISORY

 Aztec Equity Partners to Join USHCC at NYSE Closing Bell Ringing on June 2

Aztec to Announce Groundbreaking Commercialization Assistance Program

For Minority Technology Entrepreneurs

WHO:             -    Alex Garcia, Managing Director, Aztec Equity Partners

-    Luis J. Diaz, Aztec Equity Partners

                        -    Michael Barrera, President & CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

-    USHCC Board of Directors: Eric Carson ( Hawaii ), Elizabeth Gallagher ( Nevada ), David

 Lizárraga ( California ), Luis Torres-Llompart (Puerto Rico), Alfred Placeres ( New York ),    

-    Connie Sanchez, Second Vice President, Citigroup/SmithBarney

-    USHCC Foundation: Chair Massey Villareal ( Texas ) and USHCC Foundation President,

     Frank Lopez

 WHAT:           Alex Garcia, a Managing Director  with Aztec Equity Partners will join the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Executives, Board Members and Foundation principals in ringing the “closing bell” at the New York Stock Exchange.

 WHEN:           Friday, June 2, 2006 , 3:55 p.m.

 WHERE:         New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad St , New York ,  NY   10005-2601

 “Aztec is proud to join the USHCC at this historic event. In honor of this momentous occasion, we are announcing the launch of the Aztec Commercialization Assistance Program (AZCAP). This groundbreaking program will help level the playing field for minority and women entrepreneurs in science, technology and engineering,” said Alex Garcia . “We will help provide early-stage technology businesses in high-growth emerging markets with access to both capital and expertise in critical areas like licensing, patenting and commercialization,” Mr. Garcia added.

 “According to a recent study by Innovation Associates, Inc., more than 63% of small innovation research firms need access to capial and commercialization expertise, but many fail to receive it,” said Dr. Ali Akanzu, Aztec’s Managing Director in charge of technology. “There are numerous obstacles in bringing new technologies to market. AZCAP is important because it will help bridge this gap for Latinos and other minorities seeking to ride the next wave of technological innovation,” said Jose A. Marquez Leon, President of Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (www.a-lista.org)             

About Aztec: Aztec Equity Partners provides capital, management expertise, and value-added services to early-stage technology companies with superior growth potential. We leverage our experiences, industry expertise, and investment partners to guide visionary technology entrepreneurs towards building successful companies.  For more information about Aztec Equity Partners, please visit www.aztecpartners.com  

About USHCC: Since its inception, the USHCC has worked towards bringing the issues and concerns of the nation’s more than 2 million Hispanic-owned businesses to the forefront of the national economic agenda.  Through its network of more than 215 local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Hispanic business organizations, the USHCC effectively communicates the needs and potential of Hispanic enterprise to the public and private sector.           

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