Finding investment capital for beverage makers will be the focus of a panel discussion at the fourth annual U.S. Drinks Conference (USDC) on Oct. 12 and 13, 2010, in New York.

“We had received requests from past USDC attendees that finding investment capital to develop new brands was a subject of prime interest,” said Jeff Grindrod, managing partner at Brand Action Team, one of the conference organizers, in a statement. “Many of the new brands that have been successful in the U.S. were started by entrepreneurs, so we added the panel to address their specific need.”

“We’ve brought together some of the major players involved in financing beverage brands including Angels, Venture Capitalists and Mezzanine specialists,” said conference organizer Mike Ginley, president of Next Level Marketing, in a statement.

Brendan Burns, managing director of Stepping Stone Capital Partners will moderate the group. Panelists include John Muldoon, co-founder and managing partner of HighNote Ventures; Alexander Panos, managing director of TSG Consumer Partners; Ross Colbert, managing director of M & A America, Zenith International and William Anderson, and chief executive officer of First Beverage Group, Ginley said.

 “The focus on this panel will be to enlighten participants on the various investment options available for consideration when sourcing capital,” said John Beaudette, a conference organizer from MHW, in a statement.

A detailed agenda, roster of speakers, registration and hotel information can be found at www.usddrinksconference.com. Sponsors of the conference are: Beverage Media Group, Beverage Information Group, Nightclub and Bar Magazine, Tasting Panel Magazine, Bar Business Magazine, Drinks International, IWSR, Beverage Industry Magazine, Ultimate Beverage Challenge, JF Hillebrand, Nixon Peabody, Overton, Western Carriers, BevForce, In The Mix Magazine and Wine Enthusiast.