SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/10/12 -- ArchPoint Partners, an independent investment banking firm providing financial advisory services to growth companies in the technology and media sectors, today announced that Managing Director John Cooper will be hosting a panel discussion at the AlwaysOn Venture Summit Silicon Valley to be held December 11-12, 2012 at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, California.

Mr. Cooper will be hosting and providing perspective during a panel discussion titled "Creating Liquidity in 2013: A New Game." With an unprecedented amount of "dry powder" to deploy, and an accommodating lending environment, private equity firms have become a competitive alternative to strategic buyers and IPOs for companies considering liquidity options. The panel will examine this thesis as well as highlight some recent PE transactions in the software technology sector.

Mr. Cooper has a long and successful track record in developing the strategy and creating the environment to achieve an optimal outcome for his clients. Prior to founding ArchPoint, he was a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Technology banking group at Montgomery & Co., where he led the firm's efforts in advising growth companies in software and related sectors. Prior to joining Montgomery & Co. in January 2003, John was Senior Managing Director in Microsoft's Corporate Development and Strategy group. While there, he developed and led a team responsible for a number of key investments and acquisitions and effected more than 40 transactions. Among those transactions, John led the acquisition of Great Plains, Inc., kicking off the company's move into the enterprise application sector.

To date, John has managed over 250 strategic investment and acquisition processes. He also has an operating background having himself founded and successfully sold two venture capital-financed technology and services companies. He has been an active board member for both public and private companies in the technology sector.

About Venture Summit Silicon Valley:
Venture Summit Silicon Valley is a two-day gathering where 500 cutting-edge Internet CEOs in Digital Media and OnDemand computing meet top venture investors, corporate strategic partners, government and university officials, and members of the press and blogging communities. Internet entrepreneurs and their innovations are transforming and decentralizing large industries, including entertainment, commerce, finance, advertising, and media. At the Venture Summit, AlwaysOn introduces the next generation of "breakout" company CEOs and Founders driving the next wave of innovation in a series of industry trend debates, and in CEO Showcase presentations.

About ArchPoint Partners:
ArchPoint Partners is consistently credited with market-leading financing and business combination outcomes in the technology and media sectors. ArchPoint leverages its combined experience in operations, strategy and investment banking to provide astute strategic advice for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, private capital raising and restructuring. In addition, the firm provides both long-term and short-term board advisory services. ArchPoint is based in San Francisco, California and serves clients worldwide.