Women Are Driving a Major Shift in Entrepreneurship
The future of entrepreneurship may be less about building the next unicorn, and more about enabling millions of independent operators to build durable businesses on their own terms.
Small Business Uncertainty Hits a 13-Year High
New businesses still need banking, payments, insurance, shipping, SaaS, and operational support, but timing matters more than ever.
Thursday Trends: Business Formation Is Strong – But Rotating
At a high level, the story hasn’t changed: Business formation remains historically elevated.
Thursday Trends: The New Business Mix Is Starting to Shift
For the past few years, business formation has followed a clear pattern: More startups - but fewer of them hiring.
Q1 2026 Business Formation Intelligence Index (BFII)
Composite BFII reached 152.5 in Q1 2026, remaining elevated on a trailing basis. Momentum showed signs of moderation, while underlying formation measures continued to diverge.
Rising SMB Failures Haven’t Slowed New Business Formation
The expectation would be that new business formation slows in response. It hasn't. New business formations are still growing +9.5% YoY, continuing a multi-year trend of elevated startup activity.
Thursday Trends: The New Wave of American Entrepreneurship Isn’t Optional
More than 5 million Americans started a business last year, but this isn’t just another surge in entrepreneurship. It’s a shift in why people are starting.
Thursday Trends: The Solo Business Is Now the Default
For decades, “small business” meant a team -- employees, office space, infrastructure. That’s no longer the case.
Thursday Trends: Small Business Are Opting Out of Growth Capital
At first glance, that might suggest stability. In reality, it points to something else: hesitation. Businesses aren’t shutting down - but they’re pulling back:
Thursday Trends: Profits Are Up — But Demand Isn’t
The latest National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) data shows a disconnect you don’t usually see: Small businesses are reporting improved profits… while at the same time expecting weaker sales ahead.
Thursday Trends: Rising Cost Pressures Are Reshaping the Small Business Landscape
Rising import costs and tariffs are putting new pressure on small businesses across the U.S.
Thursday Trends: The $5 Trillion Ownership Shift
Over the next decade, the U.S. could experience one of the largest shifts in small-business ownership in history.