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Gaebler Ventures Announces Investment in Astute Diligence

Innovative Start-Up to Provide Due Diligence Consulting Services

Chicago, IL - October 15, 2001 - Gaebler Ventures today announced a seed funding investment in Astute Diligence, a new management consulting firm.

Astute Diligence, based in Chicago, Illinois, will perform due diligence and business analysis for organizations that are contemplating investments, strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions or that are looking to enhance their organizational effectiveness in an existing business unit or portfolio company.

"When companies make business decisions, it's helpful to have expert outside counsel assist with the analysis," said Ken Gaebler, Chairman and CEO of Gaebler Ventures. "Astute Diligence has developed a new consulting model specifically focused on optimizing business decisions and transaction results that will be very attractive to private equity firms, corporate development teams, and line business managers."

Astute Diligence has developed comprehensive consulting methodologies for strategic, technology, logistics, financial and accounting due diligence. In addition, recognizing that a poorly executed post-transaction plan will invariably undermine an otherwise strategically sound and realistically priced transaction, Astute Diligence will also assist companies with post-transaction business planning.

In performing due diligence and management consulting projects, Astute Diligence employs a full-time staff of consultants with expertise in various industries and functional disciplines. In addition, for projects requiring niche expertise, Astute Diligence will secure the services of recognized industry experts on an affiliate basis.

"Poor due diligence is the leading cause of business transaction failure," said Gaebler. "It all comes down to applying the right people and the right skills to the task of due diligence. There are things you know and things you don't know. When companies or consultants proceed as if they know things they don't know, that's when they get into trouble and make poor business decisions."

In addition to capital, Gaebler Ventures will provide Astute Diligence with office space, shared services and infrastructure, and strategic counsel.

About Gaebler Ventures
Gaebler Ventures is a seed capital fund, incubator and holding company located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by entrepreneur Ken Gaebler, the company provides start-up high tech businesses with equity investment capital, office space, administrative and financial infrastructure, and hands-on strategic and tactical assistance. For more information about Gaebler Ventures, visit www.gaebler.com.

© 2003 by Gaebler Ventures LLC