ABOUT OIF

The Oregon Opportunity

CFIG, which is the manager of the fund and the fund investment group of Credit Suisse, believes that the commitment and support of educational institutions, business and government organizations and private equity managers in Oregon will help OIF achieve its objectives. The OIF plans to leverage the existing level of commitment the various constituents have for the continued economic development of Oregon. Through the OIF business leaders, academics and political activists can work collaboratively to ensure the State's economic growth through technology commercialization, research development and federal funding.

University-level institutions provide research capital, laboratory space and the appropriate environment for collaboration. University of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University provide some examples of the innovation that can emerge when the knowledge existing within educational institutions is paired up with groups seeking to help bring these technologies to market.

Corporate presence in the State is felt through household names such as Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Nike and Columbia Sportswear. In addition, companies such as Mentor Graphics, InFocus Systems, Planar Systems, Electro Scientific Industries and TriQuint Semiconductor make up Oregon's high technology industry, which is the leading industry in terms of State economic output. These corporations may serve as collaborators for technological innovation and opportunities for future exit.

CFIG also believes that government initiatives such as the Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development and public-private partnerships such as Oregon Nanoscience and Materials Institute indicate the State's commitment to further research development, jumpstart new business activity and increase employment.

The State's existing clusters of innovation in high technology (particularly in semiconductors and computer components), healthcare, advanced textiles and microtechnology can further grow through a collaborative effort of private equity managers, corporations, academia and government. Thus CFIG believes that the opportunity for an in-state private equity fund such as OIF is better than ever at this time. CFIG considers private investment in Oregon's clusters of innovation instrumental in further advancing the State through job creation and technological innovation.