by Rex Danford, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, NuQuest Inc. - A successful entrepreneur once suggested, "Don’t read the daily newspaper because catastrophe and troubles are all they sell you." None of it really impacts you or running your business. Use that time each day to focus on what you will do THAT day to make your business better.” As the Federal Reserve projects an anemic 3% GDP growth for 2010, it is easy to submit to the worry of constant stream of economic crisis. Admittedly, high unemployment and global economic weakness occupy a part of my mind. Yet, the Euro devaluation, overheated China stock market or crisis du jour do not impact entrepreneurial clients. The United States is different. Americans are “can do” people with spirit. That is why America is the world’s most powerful change engine for economic power and freedom. During major downturns since the 1830’s, Americans have innovated and organized start-ups that became P&G, IBM, GE, GM, United Technologies, and FedEx. This year will prove the same. Each month nearly a half million become unemployed and that includes many who were innovators for corporate America. They have been liberated and motivated. They are the new connected entrepreneurs with valuable expertise and experience and drive. Some will have severance or retirement packages that enable them to focus their ideas and know-how in new directions. All they need is funding. Temple University’s Fox School of Business and the National Association of Seed Venture Funds recently surveyed NASVF members and non-members including angel investors, angel funds, seed funds, and early-stage venture capital funds. Though overall the outlook was relatively pessimistic, there were significant regional differences. A majority of respondents west of the Mississippi are successfully raising funds for new investments and angel funds are the most upbeat. The most optimistic investors on the future of seed capital investments are in the Northwest followed by the West, Midwest and Southwest. Those in the Northwest are highly confident about raising new funds, securing follow-on funding and exiting at least one investment by the end of 2010. Seed funds in the West and Midwest expect to raise 11 times more funding than those in the Southeast. Yet, Southeast funds lead in securing follow-on funds and have the highest expectations to profitably exit their investments. Two more nuggets were revealed. Most investors seek companies raising less than $1,000,000. Also, the target for investment return has dropped from a multiple of ten to a realistic four times investment. Capital is available from angels and other early-stage investors if entrepreneurs expand their search and tell their story across the United States. “Trouble creates the capacity to handle it,” wrote Oliver Wendell Holmes. Today’s entrepreneur may face trouble, but can succeed with a well-founded business plan even in today’s economy. The Capital MatchPointTM provides access to investors in all regions including the West. Investors have capital to invest, can accept lower targeted returns on investment and seek businesses that will achieve notable milestones with a $1,000,000 of capital. Despite the troubled economy, investors and entrepreneurs have the capabilities to succeed together. Start now.