How Will the Economy Perform in 2026? These 7 People Will Tell You. | Entrepreneur

February 11, 2026February 10, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I generally ignore government data because it is subject to significant revisions and, in many cases, relies on older methodologies. I also pay little attention to the countless surveys sent to me because their methodology and sample sizes are often dubious, and survey sponsors frequently have an agenda (“our survey shows that small businesses lack customer service software,” says a firm that sells customer service software).

So, where do you go to really find out how the economy is faring?

America is a capitalist economy, and it runs on three critical components: capital, consumers, and jobs. Follow those, and you’ll know.

RealConnex, a platform connecting real estate pros with projects and each other, raises $3.5 million | TechCrunch

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

RealConnex, a four-year-old, Miami and New York-based platform connecting real estate professionals to capital, investments, and services, has raised $3.5 million in strategic funding led by Silver Portal Capital, a San Diego-based real estate investment and merchant banking firm.

The round is part of a much bigger trend of startups working to change how properties are built, bought, and sold — and investors are funding their vision. In fact, according to the research firm CB Insights, real estate tech companies have raised almost $6.4 billion in funding across 817 deals since 2012.

How Small, Local Businesses Can Reach New Investors And Keep Dollars In Communities | Fastcoexist.com

March 2, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Small, local businesses lack access to capital. Banks will place restrictions before giving loans, like asking for collateral, wanting to see years of revenues, or asking for personal covenants. And then venture and angel investors aren’t interested in the low-rate returns hairdressers, restaurants and furniture-makers can offer; they want “high growth.”

That is why small, local businesses generally stay as small, local businesses. But what if small businesses could reach over the top of those market failures to the general public and investors who are willing to suffer the relatively low returns on offer? That might open up options.