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"If you ask an average American whether they're happy about the sluggish economic recovery, many would answer with a resounding \"no.\" Put the same question to a startup owner in the white-hot technology sector, however, and you'll probably get a much warmer response.\nAbout 72% of startups reported optimism about the economy this year in a study conducted by Silicon Valley Bank. Compare that to the 71% of Americans who rated economic conditions as poor and 58% who said their own economic condition would be better off a year from now in a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, and you'll discover there's an above-average optimistic tone amongst the startup community.\nMaybe those optimistic non-startup Americans are looking to the startup scene for their hope: 83% of startups reported they'll be hiring new employees within the next year.\nWhy is the technology sector doing so well in an otherwise lethargic economy? Silicon Valley Bank believes it's because of the innovation coming from the field.\n\"It\u2019s a world that is characterized by growth, optimism, new ideas and a deeply held belief in the strengths that make the United States a leader in innovation-based economic growth,\" reads Silicon Valley Bank's report. \"Across the sectors we surveyed, companies consistently met or exceeded their revenue targets in 2011, and they believe this year will be even better. Companies plan to hire, and leaders continue to see the United States as the cornerstone for their long-term growth and an ideal place to start a high growth business.\"\nHowever, most startups aren't content with policymaking and education in the U.S. \nA mere 8% of startups said that either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney had viable solutions to help promote growth in the innovation economy, and only 37% approved of the quality of higher education in the U.S. \u2014 down from 45% last year.\nSilicon Valley Bank spoke to 270 CEOs of U.S.-based private, venture-backed startups to collect its data.\nFor more, check out the infographic below and read the full report. Do you think the startup ecosystem is a bright spot in the American economy? Sound off in the comments below.\n\nThumbnail image courtesy of iStockphoto, lisegagne"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/05/17/startups-optimism-economy/>