TEL AVIV, Israel, January 28 /PRNewswire/ --

Stanford Venture Capital Holdings has announced it has committed to invest US$10 million in AquAgro Fund L.P., a venture capital fund formed to focus on Israel's innovative water, agriculture and clean-tech technology businesses.

AquAgro Fund aims to generate substantial long-term capital appreciation through private equity and equity-related investments in high-potential Israeli companies. The fund invests primarily in the water-related technology field, which encompasses desalination, filtering, water recycling, computerized irrigation management and control, automated irrigation, and the efficient use of recycled water for agriculture and industry. AquAgro Fund is managed by Mr. Hillel Milo, a highly regarded veteran of the Israeli venture capital industry.

The investment is one of several capital commitments to the Israeli market announced recently by Stanford Financial Group, the parent company of Stanford Venture Capital Holdings. Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of financial services companies, offering private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies. Stanford Financial has more than US$43 billion in assets under management and advisement, with offices in 11 countries around the world.

Tal Kimmel, Stanford's Senior Vice President of Merchant Banking, who heads Stanford's investment activities in the Israeli market, said "Israel is a hotbed for innovative technology and the Israeli market presents many compelling investment opportunities in the hi-tech and clean-tech sectors. By leveraging Stanford Financial's significant research acumen in these sectors, we have been actively investing in Israel and expect to continue as a significant investor in the years ahead."

Mr. Hillel Milo, Managing Partner of the AquAgro Fund added: "In Stanford we have a strategic partner that really understands the Israeli market and the exciting investment opportunities it presents. We look forward to working together closely as Israel's water and clean-tech technology evolves."

Stanford Financial Group has considerable expertise in the water industry and employs one of the sector's leading research analysts, Francesca McCann; it also hosts an annual water conference which has become one of the industry's most anticipated events. Stanford Financial also offers private-banking services in Israel.

About Stanford Financial Group

Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman and CEO Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford's core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.

The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has over US$43 billion in assets under management or advisement. Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.

Securities products and services in the United States are offered through Stanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not a legal entity, but a registered trademark which encompasses the global network of independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities. More information on the company can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.