U.S. Chamber Partners with Telcom Ventures to Build Small Business Internet Portal

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce and high-tech entrepreneur Raj Singh have agreed to create ChamberBiz, an Internet portal, that will be equipped to provide information, support, connectivity and discounted buying services to the estimated over 8 million small business firms in the United States.

In addition, ChamberBiz will provide the capability to bring together online the Chamber's three million-member business federation to vigorously advance its legislative and political agenda at both the federal and state level, Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said.

"This new Internet venture gives us a powerful new tool to mobilize our members and advance our public policy initiatives in Washington," Donohue said.

Under the agreement, Singh's Alexandria, Va.-based Telcom Ventures will invest up to $24 million in ChamberBiz, which will provide small businesses the information, advice, and purchasing power for goods and services currently enjoyed by large companies.

"It's a win-win partnership—the brand recognition of the Chamber of Commerce and its federation of state and local chambers, and Telcom Ventures' extensive experience in helping small business owners and managers be more profitable and productive," said Singh.

Scheduled for initial release in December, ChamberBiz represents a "next generation" business-to-business Internet platform that will provide small business with a variety of services, including:

- Public policy updates to keep business abreast of important developments in Congress and the White House

- Website content, including general information, business news, web search tools, Yellow and White Pages, and government listings

- Community access with e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and bulletin boards
Products and services such as telecommunications, travel, e-commerce, computer and information technology, and human resources

- Vertical industry information and opportunities for networking

- A newsletter and a home page that can be customized by each small business owner or manager.

The U.S. Chamber's 3,000-member state and local Chambers of Commerce are being invited to become participants in the ChamberBiz website. "This is a perfect opportunity for the chamber federation to work together to benefit our members and strengthen our organization," said ChamberBiz developer Robert Perkins, a marketing executive brought in by Donohue to formulate Internet strategy.

The development of ChamberBiz followed extensive consultations with state and local chambers. Joan Verplank, head of the New Jersey State Chamber, chaired a task force that worked closely with Perkins during the past year.

Input was also received from the Chamber's Small Business Advisory Committee, a group of almost 70 small business owners or chief executives that meets regularly to provide input to the Chamber on a variety of policy and operational issues.

Telcom Ventures is a limited liability company headed by Singh, the well-known venture capitalist, and Rahul Prakash. It has major investments in wireless communications worldwide, including LCC International and Teligent, which offers advanced wireless telecommunications services.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

Important Note:

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements.

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