Want a sense of how the economy's doing, where people's money fears lie, and just how prevalent the idea of "doing it oneself" is these days? Mid Hudson News Network reports today that some 100 people attended a venture capital forum held at Stewart Airport Tuesday night, January 11, to hear from authorities on how businesses can access capital in the Hudson Valley. Entrepreneurs learned what investors look for, what pitfalls to avoid and how to identify the best investors for their business, and all with a major storm threatening. The Accelerator, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation and Upstate Venture Association of New York conducted the conference.

Orange County Business Accelerator Director Michael DiTullo said venture capitalists provide a specific service. “Venture capitalists actually make investments in companies. They become principals, they buy equity, startup, and as the company grows, maybe there is an exit strategy and they participate in whatever profit or windfall that could happen as a result of that,” he said. “They also provide management expertise. Very often, venture capitalists will serve on the boards of directors. Warren Buffet essentially is a venture capitalist. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, makes investments in companies and sometimes acquires them outright.”

On a much more localized level, former WGXC Radio Council member and Greene County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kathleen Packard noted recently that several clients she's been wooing for her design business have asked to green light projects, a first for the past two years of economic slowdown.