Stavanger, January 1st 2009 - Energy Ventures, is a venture capital group based in Stavanger, Norway focusing on growth technology companies in the energy sector, announces the naming of two new partners. Jim Sledzik and Anoop Poddar have both been named Partners as from January 1st 2009. Jim Sledzik has also been appointed manager of Energy Venture's Houston office.

Energy Ventures' organisation counts a total of 15 people and the company is established with offices in Stavanger, Aberdeen and Houston. In 2008 Energy Ventures made 6 new investments in addition to establishing a new fund - Energy Ventures III - with a total committed capital of USD 350 million.

Energy Ventures apply four key criteria when choosing companies in which to invest; Groundbreaking technology, sustainable economics, an international product or services market, and a cooperative management with a proven ability to reach its goals. In order to support these criteria Energy Ventures emphasize to have a leading investment team comprising the best available competence in the venture part of the energy sector.

Ole Melberg, Managing Partner of Energy Ventures, commented, "Anoop and Jim both possess the right combination of industry knowledge and financial acumen. In addition they fit very well into the Energy Ventures team".

For more information on the team members, please see www.energyventures.no/team or www.energyventures.no