<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1
                               TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

      This Term Loan Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is made and entered into by
and between the undersigned borrower (the "BORROWER") and the undersigned bank
(the "BANK") as of the date set forth on the last page of this Agreement.

                                ARTICLE I. LOANS

      1.1 TERMS FOR ADVANCE(S). [CHOOSE ONE:]

            [X]   SINGLE ADVANCE TERM LOAN. As of the date hereof, the Borrower
                  has obtained a term loan from the Bank in the amount of
                  $9,500,000.00 (the "LOAN AMOUNT"). The term loan is evidenced
                  by a single promissory note of the Borrower to the order of
                  the Bank in the principal amount of the Loan Amount and dated
                  as of the date hereof (the "NOTE").

            [ ]   MULTIPLE ADVANCE TERM LOAN. Prior to n/a or the earlier
                  termination hereof, the Borrower may obtain advances from the
                  Bank in an aggregate amount not exceeding $ n/a (the "LOAN
                  AMOUNT"). The term loans will be evidenced by a single
                  promissory note of the Borrower to the Bank in the principal
                  amount of the Loan Amount and dated as of the date hereof (the
                  "NOTE"). Although the Note will be expressed as payable in the
                  full Loan Amount, the Borrower will be obligated to pay only
                  the amounts actually disbursed hereunder, together with
                  accrued interest on the outstanding balance at the rates and
                  on the dates specified therein and such other charges provided
                  for herein.

      1.2 ADVANCES AND PAYING PROCEDURE. The Bank is authorized and directed to
credit any of the Borrower's accounts with the Bank (or to the account the
Borrower designates in writing) for all loans made hereunder, and the Bank is
authorized to debit such account or any other account of the Borrower with the
Bank for the amount of any principal, interest or expenses due under the Note or
other amount due hereunder on the due date with respect thereto. If, upon any
request by the Borrower to the Bank to issue a wire transfer, there is an
inconsistency between the name of the recipient of the wire and its
identification number as specified by the Borrower, the Bank may, without
liability, transmit the payment via wire based solely upon the identification
number.

      1.3 CLOSING FEE. The Borrower will pay the Bank a one-time closing fee of
$ n/a contemporaneously with execution of this Agreement. This fee is in
addition to all other fees, expenses and other amounts due hereunder.

      1.4 COMPENSATING BALANCES. The Borrower will maintain on deposit with the
Bank in non-interest bearing accounts average daily collected balances, in
excess of that required to support account activity and other credit facilities
extended to the Borrower by the Bank, an amount at least equal to the sum of (i)
$ n/a and (ii) n/a % of the Loan Amount as computed on a monthly basis. If the
Borrower fails to keep and maintain such balances, it will pay a deficiency fee,
payable within five days after receipt of a statement therefor calculated on the
amount by which the Borrower's average daily balances are less than the
requirements set forth above, computed at a rate equal to the rate set forth in
the Note.

      1.5 EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. Upon demand, the Borrower will
immediately reimburse the Bank and any Participant (defined below) for all
reasonable attorneys' fees and all other costs, fees and out-of-pocket
disbursements incurred by the Bank or any Participant in connection with the
preparation, execution, delivery, administration, defense and enforcement of
this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (defined below), including
attorneys' fees and all other costs and fees (a) incurred before or after
commencement of litigation or at trial, on appeal or in any other proceeding,
(b) incurred in any bankruptcy proceeding and (c) related to any waivers or
amendments with respect thereto (examples of costs and fees include but are not
limited to fees and costs for: filing, perfecting or confirming the priority of
the Bank's lien, title searches or insurance, appraisals, environmental audits
and other reviews related to the Borrower, any collateral or the loans, if
requested by the Bank). The Borrower will also reimburse the Bank and any
Participant for all reasonable costs of collection, including all attorneys'
fees, before and after judgment, and the costs of preservation and/or
liquidation of any collateral.

      1.6 CONDITIONS TO BORROWING. The Bank will not be obligated to make (or
continue to make) advances hereunder unless (i) the Bank has received executed
originals of the Note and all other documents or agreements applicable to the
loans described herein, including but not limited to the documents specified in
Article III (collectively with this Agreement the "Loan Documents" ), in form
and content satisfactory to the Bank; (ii) if the loan is secured, the Bank has
received confirmation satisfactory to it that the Bank has a properly perfected
security interest, mortgage or lien, with the proper priority, (iii) the Bank
has received certified copies of the Borrower's governance documents and
certification of entity status satisfactory to the Bank and all other relevant
documents; (iv) the Bank has received a certified copy of a resolution or
authorization in form and content satisfactory to the Bank authorizing the loan
and all acts contemplated by this Agreement and all related documents, and
confirmation of proper authorization of all guaranties and other acts of third
parties contemplated hereunder; (v) if required by the Bank, the Bank has been
provided with Opinion of the Borrower's counsel in form and content satisfactory
to the Bank confirming the matters outlined in Section 2.2 and such other
matters as the Bank requests; (vi) no default exists under this Agreement or
under any other Loan Documents, or under any other agreements by and between the
Borrower and the Bank; and (vii) all proceedings taken in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any required
environmental assessments), and all instruments, authorizations and other
documents applicable thereto, are satisfactory to the Bank and its counsel.

(c) us bancorp 2001

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                      ARTICLE II. WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

      While any part of the credit granted to the Borrower under this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents is available or any obligations under any of the
Loan Documents are unpaid or outstanding, the Borrower continuously warrants and
agrees as follows:

2.1 ACCURACY OF INFORMATION. All information, certificates or statements given
to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be true
and complete when given.

2.2 ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY; LITIGATION. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents are the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower,
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their terms. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents to which
the Borrower is a party (i) are within the borrower's power; (ii) have been duly
authorized by all appropriate entity action; (iii)do not require the approval of
any governmental agency; and (iv) will not violate any law, agreement or
restriction by which the Borrower is bound. If the Borrower is not an
individual, the Borrower is validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its state of organization, has all requisite power and authority and
possesses all licenses necessary to conduct its business and own its properties.
There is no litigation or administrative proceeding threatened or pending
against the Borrower which would, if adversely determined, have a material
adverse effect on the Borrower's financial condition or its property.

2.3 EXISTENCE; BUSINESS ACTIVITIES; ASSETS; CHANGE OF CONTROL. The Borrower will
(i) preserve its existence, rights and franchises; (ii) not make any material
change in the nature or manner of its business activities; (iii)not liquidate,
dissolve, acquire another entity or merge or consolidate with or into another
entity or change its form of organization; (iv) not amend its organizational
documents in any manner that may conflict with any term or condition of the Loan
Documents; and (v) not sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets. Other than the transfer to a trust beneficially
controlled by the transferor, no event shall occur which causes or results in a
transfer of majority ownership of the Borrower while any Obligations are
outstanding or while the Bank has any obligation to provide funding to the
Borrower.

2.4 USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN STOCK; SPECULATION. Advances by the Bank hereunder
will be used exclusively by the Borrower for the purposes represented to the
Bank. The Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of the Bank,
redeem, purchase, or retire any of the capital stock or declare or pay any
dividends, or make any other payments or distributions of a similar type or
nature including withdrawal distributions. The Borrower will not use any of the
loan proceeds to purchase or carry "margin" stock (as defined in Regulation U of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). No part of any of the
proceeds will be used for speculative investment purposes, including, without
limitation, speculating or hedging in the commodities and/or futures market.

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed in a written schedule attached to
this Agreement (if no schedule is attached, there are no exceptions), there
exists no uncorrected violation by the Borrower of any federal, state or local
laws (including statutes, regulations, ordinances or other governmental
restrictions and requirements) relating to the discharge of air pollutants,
water pollutants or process waste water or otherwise relating to the environment
or Hazardous Substances as hereinafter defined, whether such laws currently
exist or are enacted in the future (collectively "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"). The term
"HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" will mean any hazardous or toxic wastes, chemicals or
other substances, the generation, possession or existence of which is prohibited
or governed by any Environmental Laws. The Borrower is not subject to any
judgment, decree, order or citation, or a party to (or threatened with) any
litigation or administrative proceeding, which asserts that the Borrower (i) has
violated any Environmental Laws; (ii) is required to clean up, remove or take
remedial or other action with respect to any Hazardous Substances (collectively
"REMEDIAL ACTION"); or (iii) is required to pay all or a portion of the cost of
any Remedial Action, as a potentially responsible party. Except as disclosed on
the Borrower's environmental questionnaire provided to the Bank, there are not
now, nor to the Borrower's knowledge after reasonable investigation have there
ever been, any Hazardous Substances (or tanks or other facilities for the
storage of Hazardous Substances) stored, deposited, recycled or disposed of on,
under or at any real estate owned or occupied by the Borrower during the periods
that the Borrower owned or occupied such real estate, which if present on the
real estate or in soils or ground water, could require Remedial Action. To the
Borrower's knowledge, there are no proposed or pending changes in Environmental
Laws which would adversely affect the Borrower or its business, and there are no
conditions existing currently or likely to exist while the Loan Documents are in
effect which would subject the Borrower to Remedial Action or other liability.
The Borrower currently complies with and will continue to timely comply with all
applicable Environmental Laws; and will provide the Bank, immediately upon
receipt, copies of any correspondence, notice, complaint, order or other
document from any source asserting or alleging any circumstance or condition
which requires or may require a financial contribution by the Borrower or
Remedial Action or other response by or on the part of the Borrower under
Environmental Laws, or which seeks damages or civil, criminal or punitive
penalties from the Borrower for an alleged violation of Environmental Laws.

2.6 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Borrower has complied with all laws applicable to
its business and its properties, and has all permits, licenses and approvals
required by such laws, copies of which have been provided to the Bank.

2.9 RESTRICTION ON CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. The Borrower will not guarantee or
become a surety or otherwise contingently liable for any obligations of others,
except pursuant to the deposit and collection of checks and similar matters in
the ordinary course of business.

                                  Page 2 of 6
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2.10 INSURANCE. The Borrower will maintain insurance to such extent, covering
such risks and with such insurers as is usual and customary for businesses
operating similar properties, and as is satisfactory to the Bank, including
insurance for fire and other risks insured against by extended coverage, public
liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance.

2.11 TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. The Borrower will pay and discharge, when due,
all of its taxes, assessments and other liabilities, except when the payment
thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate procedures which will
avoid foreclosure of liens securing such items, and with adequate reserves
provided therefor.

2.12 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTING. The financial statements and other
information previously provided to the Bank or provided to the Bank in the
future are or will be complete and accurate and prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. There has been no material adverse
change in the Borrower's financial condition since such information was provided
to the Bank. The Borrower will (i) maintain accounting records in accordance
with generally recognized and accepted principles of accounting consistently
applied throughout the accounting periods involved; (ii) provide the Bank with
such information concerning its business affairs and financial condition
(including insurance coverage) as the Bank may request; and (iii) without
request, provide the Bank with management-prepared financial statements:

      [X] quarterly within 45 days of the end of each quarter;

      [ ] monthly within n/a days of the end of each month;

and annual audited within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year.

2.13 INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND RECORDS; FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower will permit
representatives of the Bank to visit and inspect any of the properties and
examine any of the books and records of the Borrower at any reasonable time and
as often as the Bank may reasonably desire. The Borrower will not change its
fiscal year.

2.14 FINANCIAL STATUS. The Borrower will maintain at all times:

(i)   Net Working Capital in the amount of at least $ n/a.

(ii)  Tangible Net Worth in the amount of at least $ n/a.

(iii) Debt to Worth Ratio of not more than n/a.

(iv)  Current Ratio of at least n/a.

(v)   Capital Expenditures not to exceed $ n/a per fiscal year.

(vi)  Cash Flow Coverage Ratio of at least n/a.

(vii) Officers, Directors, Partners, Members, and Management Salaries and Other
      Compensation not to exceed $ n/a per fiscal year.

The terms used in this Section 2.14 will have the meanings set forth in a
supplement entitled "Financial Definitions," a copy of which the Borrower hereby
acknowledges having received with this Agreement and which is incorporated
herein by reference.

                     ARTICLE III. COLLATERAL AND GUARANTIES

3.1 COLLATERAL. This Agreement and the Note are secured by any and all security
interests, pledges, described in the following documents:

[ ]   Real Estate Mortgage(s)/Deed(s) of Trust dated ___________________________
      covering real estate located at __________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________

[ ]   Security Agreement(s) dated ______________________________________________

[X]   Collateral Pledge Agreement(s) dated 08/14/03 and by any and all security
      interests, pledges, mortgages granted to Bank which Borrower shall
      hereafter agree in writing secure the Agreement and Note.

3.2 GUARANTIES. This Agreement and the Note are guarantied by each and every
guaranty now or hereafter in existence guarantying the indebtedness of the
Borrower to the Bank (except for any guaranty expressly limited by its terms to
a specific separate obligation of Borrower to the Bank) including, without
limitation, the following:______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3.3 CREDIT BALANCES; SETOFF. As additional security for the payment of the
obligations described in the Loan Documents and any other obligations of the
Borrower to the Bank of any nature whatsoever (collectively the "OBLIGATIONS"),
the Borrower hereby grants to the Bank a security interest in, a lien on and an
express contractual right to set off against all depository account balances,
cash and any other property of the Borrower now or hereafter in the possession
of the Bank and the right to refuse to allow withdrawals from any account
(collectively "SETOFF"). The Bank may, at any time upon the occurrence of a
default hereunder (notwithstanding any notice requirements

                                  Page 3 of 6
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or grace/cure periods under this or other agreements between the Borrower and
the Bank) Setoff against the Obligations whether or not the Obligations
(including future installments) are then due or have been accelerated, all
without any advance or contemporaneous notice or demand of any kind to the
Borrower, such notice and demand being expressly waived.

The omission of any reference to an agreement in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 above will
not affect the validity or enforceability thereof. The rights and remedies of
the Bank outlined in this Agreement and the documents identified above are
intended to be cumulative.

                               ARTICLE IV. DEFAULTS

4.1 DEFAULTS. Notwithstanding any cure periods described below, the Borrower
will immediately notify the Bank in writing when the Borrower obtains knowledge
of the occurrence of any default specified below. Regardless of whether the
Borrower has given the required notice, the occurrence of one or more of the
following will constitute a default:

(a)   NONPAYMENT. The Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any interest due on the
      Note or any fees, charges, costs or expenses under the Loan Documents by 5
      days after the same becomes due; or (ii) any principal amount of the Note
      when due.

(b)   NONPERFORMANCE. The Borrower or any guarantor of Borrower's Obligations to
      the Bank ("GUARANTOR") shall fail to perform or observe any agreement,
      term, provision, condition, or covenant (other than a default occurring
      under (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of this Section 4.1) required to be
      performed or observed by the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or under
      any other Loan Document or other agreement with or in favor of the Bank.

(c)   MISREPRESENTATION. Any financial information, statement, certificate,
      representation or warranty given to the Bank by the Borrower or any
      Guarantor (or any of their representatives) in connection with entering
      into this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and/or any borrowing
      thereunder, or required to be furnished under the terms thereof, shall
      prove untrue or misleading in any material respect (as determined by the
      Bank in the exercise of its judgment) as of the time when given.

(e)   JUDGMENTS. Any judgment shall be obtained against the Borrower or any
      Guarantor which, together with all other outstanding unsatisfied judgments
      against the Borrower (or such Guarantor), shall exceed the sum of $100,000
      and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 30 days
      following the date of entry thereof.

(f)   INABILITY TO PERFORM; BANKRUPTCY/INSOLVENCY. (i) The Borrower or any
      Guarantor shall die or cease to exist; or (ii) any Guarantor shall attempt
      to revoke any guaranty of the Obligations described herein, or any
      guaranty becomes unenforceable in whole, or in part for any reason; or
      (iii)any bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings, or an
      assignment for the benefit of creditors, shall be commenced under any
      Federal or state law by or against the Borrower or any Guarantor; or (iv)
      the Borrower or any Guarantor shall become the subject of any out-of-court
      settlement with its creditors; or (v) the Borrower or any Guarantor is
      unable or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature:
      or (vi) if the Borrower is a limited liability company, any member thereof
      shall withdraw or otherwise become disassociated from the Borrower.

4.2 TERMINATION OF LOANS; ADDITIONAL BANK RIGHTS. Upon the occurrence of any of
the events identified in Section 4.1, the Bank may at any time (notwithstanding
any notice requirements or grace/cure periods under this or other agreements
between the Borrower and the Bank) (i) immediately terminate its obligation, if
any, to make additional loans to the Borrower; (ii)Setoff; and/or (iii) take
such other steps to protect or preserve the Bank's interest in any collateral,
including without limitation, notifying account debtors to make payments
directly to the Bank, advancing funds to protect any collateral and insuring
collateral at the Borrower's expense; all without demand or notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived.

4.3 ACCELERATION OF OBLIGATIONS. Upon the occurrence of any of the events
identified in Sections 4.1(a) through 4.l (e) and the passage of any applicable
cure periods, the Bank may at any time thereafter, by written notice to the
Borrower, declare the unpaid principal balance of any Obligations, together with
the interest accrued thereon and other amounts accrued hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents, to be immediately due and payable; and the unpaid balance
will thereupon be due and payable, all without presentation, demand, protest or
further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents.
Upon the occurrence of any event under Section 4.l(f), the unpaid principal
balance of any Obligations, together with all interest accrued thereon and other
amounts accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, will thereupon be
immediately due and payable, all without presentation, demand, protest or notice
of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents. Nothing
contained in Section 4.1, Section 4.2 or this section will limit the Bank's
right to Setoff as provided in Section 3.3 or otherwise in this Agreement.

4.4 OTHER REMEDIES. Nothing in this Article IV is intended to restrict the
Bank's rights under any of the Loan Documents or at law, and the Bank may
exercise all such rights and remedies as and when they are available.

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                              ARTICLE V. OTHER TERMS

5.1 FINANCIAL DEFINITIONS SUPPLEMENT. If covenants regarding financial status
apply to this loan, the "Financial Definitions" Supplement identified in Section
2.14 of this Agreement is hereby incorporated into this Agreement. The Borrower
acknowledges receiving a copy of such Supplement.

5.2 ADDITIONAL TERMS; ADDENDUM/SUPPLEMENTS. The warranties, covenants,
conditions and other terms described in this Section and/or in the Addendum
and/or other attached document(s) referenced in this Section are incorporated
into this Agreement:

SEE ATTACHED  ADDENDUM
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

                            ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 DELAY; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No delay on the part of the Bank in exercising
any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents
will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any
right, power or privilege hereunder preclude other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies
herein specified are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies
which the Bank would otherwise have.

6.2 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER DOCUMENTS. The warranties, covenants and other
obligations of the Borrower (and the rights and remedies of the Bank) that are
outlined in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are intended to
supplement each other. In the event of any inconsistencies in any of the terms
in the Loan Documents, all terms will be cumulative so as to give the Bank the
most favorable rights set forth in the conflicting documents, except that if
there is a direct conflict between any preprinted terms and specifically
negotiated terms (whether included in an addendum or otherwise), the
specifically negotiated terms will control.

6.3 PARTICIPATIONS; GUARANTORS. The Bank may, at its option, sell all or any
interests in the Note and other Loan Documents to other financial institutions
(the "PARTICIPANT"), and in connection with such sales (and thereafter) disclose
any financial information the Bank may have concerning the Borrower to any such
Participant or potential Participant. From time to time, the Bank may, in its
discretion and without obligation to the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other
third party, disclose information about the Borrower and this loan to any
Guarantor, surety or other accommodation party. This provision does not obligate
the Bank to supply any information or release the Borrower from its obligation
to provide such information, and the Borrower agrees to keep all Guarantors
advised of its financial condition and other matters which may be relevant to
the Guarantors' obligations to the Bank.

6.4 SUCCESSORS. The rights, options, powers and remedies granted in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents will extend to the Bank and to its
successors and assigns, will be binding upon the Borrower and its successors and
assigns and will be applicable hereto and to all renewals and/or extensions
hereof.

6.5 INDEMNIFICATION. Except for harm arising from the Bank's willful misconduct,
the Borrower hereby indemnifies and agrees to defend and hold the Bank harmless
from any and all losses, costs, damages, claims and expenses of any kind
suffered by or asserted against the Bank relating to claims by third parties
arising out of the financing provided under the Loan Documents or related to any
collateral (including, without limitation, the Borrower's failure to perform its
obligations relating to Environmental Matters described in Section 2.5 above).
This indemnification and hold harmless provision will survive the termination of
the Loan Documents and the satisfaction of the Obligations due the Bank.

6.6 NOTICE OF CLAIMS AGAINST BANK; LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. In order to
allow the Bank to mitigate any damages to the Borrower from the Bank's alleged
breach of its duties under the Loan Documents or any other duty, if any, to the
Borrower, the Borrower agrees to give the Bank immediate written notice of any
claim or defense it has against the Bank, whether in tort or contract, relating
to any action or inaction by the Bank under the Loan Documents, or the
transactions related thereto, or of any defense to payment of the Obligations
for any reason. The requirement of providing timely notice to the Bank
represents the parties' agreed-to standard of performance regarding claims
against the Bank. Notwithstanding any claim that the Borrower may have against
the Bank, and regardless of any notice the Borrower may have given the Bank, the
Bank will not be liable to the Borrower for consequential and/or special damages
arising therefrom, except those damages arising from the Bank's willful
misconduct.

6.7 NOTICES. Notice of any record shall be deemed delivered when the record has
been (a) deposited in the United States Mail, postage pre-paid, (b) received by
overnight delivery service, (c) received by telex, (d) received by telecopy, (e)
received through the internet, or (f) when personally delivered.

6.8 PAYMENTS. Payments due under the Note and other Loan Documents will be made
in lawful money of the United States. All payments may be applied by the Bank to
principal, interest and other amounts due under the Loan Documents in any order
which the Bank elects.

                                  Page 5 of 6
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6.9 APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION; INTERPRETATION; JOINT LIABILITY;
SEVERABILITY. This Agreement and all other Loan Documents will be governed by
and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of WISCONSIN,
except to the extent superseded by Federal law. Invalidity of any provisions of
this Agreement will not affect any other provision. THE BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS
TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITUATED IN THE
COUNTY OR FEDERAL JURISDICTION OF THE BANK'S BRANCH WHERE THE LOAN WAS
ORIGINATED, AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WITH REGARD
TO ANY ACTIONS, CLAIMS, DISPUTES OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE
NOTE, THE COLLATERAL ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY TRANSACTIONS ARISING
THEREFROM, OR ENFORCEMENT AND/OR INTERPRETATION OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING. Nothing
herein will affect the Bank's rights to serve process in any manner permitted by
law, or limit the Bank's right to bring proceedings against the Borrower in the
competent courts of any other jurisdiction or jurisdictions. This Agreement, the
other Loan Documents and any amendments hereto (regardless of when executed)
will be deemed effective and accepted only at the Bank's offices, and only upon
the Bank's receipt of the executed originals thereof. If there is more than one
Borrower, the liability of the Borrowers will be joint and several, and the
reference to "Borrower" will be deemed to refer to all Borrowers. Invalidity of
any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any other
provision.

6.10 COPIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION. The Borrower hereby acknowledges
the receipt of a copy of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents. This
Agreement is a "transferable record" as defined in applicable law relating to
electronic transactions. Therefore, the holder of this Agreement may, on behalf
of Borrower, create a microfilm or optical disk or other electronic image of
this Agreement that is an authoritative copy as defined in such law. The holder
of this Agreement may store the authoritative copy of such Agreement in its
electronic form and then destroy the paper original as part of the holder's
normal business practices. The holder, on its own behalf, may control and
transfer such authoritative copy as permitted by such law.

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE SIGNING. THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BECAUSE ONLY THOSE TERMS IN WRITING EXPRESSING CONSIDERATION AND
SIGNED BY THE PARTIES ARE ENFORCEABLE. NO OTHER TERMS OR ORAL PROMISES NOT
CONTAINED IN THIS WRITTEN CONTRACT MAY BE LEGALLY ENFORCED. THE TERMS OF THIS
AGREEMENT MAY ONLY BE CHANGED BY ANOTHER WRITTEN AGREEMENT. THIS NOTICE SHALL
ALSO BE EFFECTIVE WITH RESPECT TO ALL OTHER CREDIT AGREEMENTS NOW IN EFFECT
BETWEEN BORROWER AND THE BANK. A MODIFICATION ANY OTHER CREDIT AGREEMENTS NOW IN
EFFECT BETWEEN BORROWER AND THE BANK, WHICH OCCURS AFTER RECEIPT BY BORROWER OF
THIS NOTICE, MAY BE MADE ONLY BY ANOTHER WRITTEN INSTRUMENT. ORAL OR IMPLIED
MODIFICATIONS TO SUCH CREDIT AGREEMENTS ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE AND SHOULD NOT BE
RELIED UPON.

6.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER AND THE BANK HEREBY JOINTLY AND
SEVERALLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE OBLIGATIONS THERE UNDER, ANY
COLLATERAL SECURING THE OBLIGATIONS, OR ANY TRANSACTION ARISING THEREFROM OR
CONNECTED THERETO. THE BORROWER AND THE BANK EACH REPRESENTS TO THE OTHER THAT
THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY GIVEN.

6.12 ATTACHMENTS. All documents attached hereto, including any appendices,
schedules, riders, and exhibits to this Agreement, are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this TERM LOAN AGREEMENT as of
AUGUST 14, 2003.

(Individual Borrower)     THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                          -----------------------------
                          Borrower Name (Organization)

______________________    a DELAWARE Corporation

Borrower Name N/A         By /s/ Lance Fors
                             ------------------------------------------------
                          Name and Title LANCE FORS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

______________________    By ________________________________________________

Borrower Name N/A         Name and Title ____________________________________

                          U.S. BANK N.A. _____________________________ (Bank)

                          By /s/ Daniel J. Stein
                             ------------------------------------------------
                          Name and Title DANIEL J. STEIN, VICE PRESIDENT

Borrower Address: 502 S ROSA ROAD, MADISON, WI 53719

Borrower Telephone No.: 608-273-8933

                                  Page 6 of 6
<PAGE>

                         ADDENDUM TO TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

             BETWEEN THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ("BORROWER") AND
                            U.S. BANK, N.A. ("BANK")

This Addendum is made a part of the Term Loan Agreement between Borrower and
Bank, dated as of August 14, 2003, as if set forth in full therein:

5.2 NOTICE OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS AND LIENS. Borrower will provide Bank with
written notice not less than ten (10) business days prior to:

      (A)   Borrower incurring or assuming any indebtedness for borrowed money
            (including capitalized leases) in an aggregate amount exceeding
            $1,000,000.00, except for (i) any indebtedness owing to the Bank and
            its affiliates, and (ii) any other indebtedness outstanding on the
            date hereof, and shown on the Borrower's financial statements
            delivered to the Bank prior to the date hereof; or

      (B)   Borrower granting, incurring, assuming or permitting any mortgages,
            pledges, encumbrances or other liens or levies upon or security
            interests in any of the Borrower's property now owned or hereafter
            acquired, securing obligations in an aggregate principal amount
            exceeding $1,000,000.00, except for (i) taxes and assessments which
            are either not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith
            with adequate reserves provided, (ii) liens in favor of the Bank and
            its affiliates, and (iii) other liens disclosed in writing to the
            Bank prior to the date hereof.

Any written notice required to be delivered to Bank pursuant to this Addendum
will provide reasonable detail regarding the nature and basic terms of the
transaction resulting in creation of such indebtedness or lien.

                                                  THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
                                                  a Delaware corporation

                                                  By: /s/ Lance Fors
                                                      --------------------------
                                                      Lance Fors,
                                                      Chief Executive Officer

                                                  U.S. BANK, N.A.

                                                  By: /s/ Daniel J. Stein
                                                      --------------------------
                                                      Daniel J. Stein
                                                      Vice President