Small Business - Wal-Mart as VC? - FORTUNE SMALL BUSINESS - Page

"When Wal-Mart and small companies meet, it's either a big hand up?your product hits the shelves, and it's a jackpot!?or a big slap down?you're shopping the aisles for an out of business sign. Hopes for happier outcomes rose when Wal-Mart recently launched a $25 million venture capital fund to invest in woman- and minority-owned small firms. Aldus Equity Partners, which manages the fund, says money will be given in $2.5 million to $5 million lumps to as many as nine small companies over the next ten years."