By Stephen Watkins For NewsUSA

(NewsUSA) - Q: We are a hedge fund that is looking for alternative investments. I just learned about the Entrex marketplace - how do we invest in companies?

- Brian B., Reston, Va.

A: In your world, you certainly understand the value of disclosures and alternative investing - and that is what Entrex is all about.

As you know, the investment community has only about 16,000 public securities in which they can invest. These have been chopped up and reformulated into various mutual fund-type vehicles, which cover just about everything imaginable - from the Vice Fund to socially responsible funds. It seems like fund managers are trying to be creative in finding new investment themes for the public market.

The alternative market is a whole different story. It ultimately brings trillions of dollars to the table. Entrex is focused on bringing the alternative market a whole new asset category that we call "entrepreneurial companies."

These are the companies that bring economic and employment growth to the communities in which they do business. Most companies in this realm offer high growth while earning a reasonable income. Entrex gives growing entrepreneurial companies clarity, credibility and exposure to the financial community.

How would this help you? A portion of these companies might fit your investment criteria. They offer your investors the growth they demand and cash-flowing, operational companies in later stages of their corporate life cycle.

Investors also appreciate the quarterly independent valuations that Entrex provides. Chartered financial analysts review each company on a quarterly basis and compare the company to the industry and its competitors. This provides you and your investors with knowledge about the firms - and associated fund performance (through the NAV).

From an investment standpoint, what else helps provide transparency and clarity to entrepreneurial companies? It seems to me that any investor who doesn't require consistent reporting and analysis is shooting in the dark. Entrex serves as a valuable vehicle for benchmarking performance - whether you're an existing shareholder, a potential investor or a fund manager.

Stephen Watkins is the chief executive officer of Entrex. He can be contacted at swatkins@entrex.net.