Millennials disappoint: U.S. small business creation is up for the first time in six years, but startups owned by those aged 20 to 34 are down by 50 percent since 1996, according to a new Kauffman report.
Uber doesn’t: The ride sharing firm is reportedly (Bloomberg) raising another $2 billion at a valuation topping $60 billion. Tiger Global and T. Rowe already in.
The Harpo Touch: Avon shares jumped this week on word that media mogul Oprah Winfrey might buy a stake in the troubled beauty products firm. Forget that Winfrey’s team denied the rumors – her taking a 10 percent stake in Weight Watchers buoyed shares there by 90 percent.
Weeding out the crowds: Medical marijuana dispensaries, due to open in January, will not suffer from customer over-demand, Crain’s suggests.
Spin cycle: NYC’s indoor cycling fitness company, Peloton Interactive, is raising $75 million by selling a stake to Catterton, a private equity firm focused on consumer businesses.
Just turn left: Driverless cars will begin competing in their own Formula One event next year. (We called them slot cars when I was a kid.)
Attention IDAs: The Denton, Texas city council has approved $8 million in tax benefits for a Buc-ee gas station that will feature almost 100 pumps and 50,000 feet of retail space. (FYI: Buc-ee is a beaver. T-shirts available.)
The Internet of Dings: Parking garages of the near future will offer green/red lighting to alert you to open spaces, plus significantly better security and lower carbon footprints. Most importantly, they’ll know you’re coming and offer you a great spot … for a price.
He gets all the good assignments: Jimmy McCune, Innovate’s craft beverage editor at large, walks us through A Taste of Long Island, New York State’s first co-working brewery, where a half-dozen diminutive brands have already taken flight. (Or is that flights?)
Real intelligence: There are many ways through the R&D maze, but impressing a deep-pocketed customer and partnering up for the future is a great way to go. Just ask ULC Robotics.
On the mend: Glen Cove’s historic Orchard neighborhood is in line for state funding to bring hundreds of environmentally tainted properties back to life. (The Orchard, BTW, is home to the Tom Suozzi-led Stango’s eateria, the Island’s oldest Italian restaurant but shuttering at month’s end, we’re sorry to report.)
ICYMI
Another day, another deal: Henry Schein, the ever-restless medical supply behemoth, has landed a U.S. distribution deal for cutting-edge diabetes control products that include real-time monitoring and a tummy port for the needle-averse. About 28 million Americans have type 2 diabetes at the moment, and the number is surging.
Digital justice: LawNearMe.com, which helps the mobile set find a good lawyer when they need one, has upped its game with a 2.0 platform that significantly boosts services for attorneys. Now in most states, founder Sam Shusterhoff tells us. (He wouldn’t out where he isn’t, but Montana is a suspect.)
Maker macher: Lawyer cum entrepreneur Todd Gordon is scouting locations for a FabLab, the MIT-inspired chain of innovation spaces that has spread faster than an urban legend, now 550+ in 50 countries. For real estate brokers in the audience today, Farmingdale-ish is a sensible bet.
HR report: A few notable personnel moves this week, the topper being news that Bob Creighton is taking over as managing partner at Farrell Fritz, allowing the long-serving Charlie Strain to get back to billable hours. Sir Charles remains on the management committee.
Same building: Ruskin Moscou Faltischek picked up a couple of veteran real estate attorneys, Jerry Siegelman and Anthony Baronci.
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About our sponsor: The Town of Islip’s Office of Economic Development – Whether it’s helping in site selection, cutting through red tape or finding innovative ways to meet specific needs, businesses that settle in Islip soon learn that we take a proactive approach to seeing them succeed. If your business wants to locate or expand in a stable community that offers an outstanding quality of life and the support to help you grow, then it’s time you took a closer look at Islip.
Don’t miss: The unveiling of AVZ’s 22nd annual economic survey and a panel discussion with Rick Lazio, Kim Cline and Jamie Moore, maybe others, Jan. 7, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Crest Hollow, More details if you need ’em here.
Also, please: ACIT salutes local tech entrepreneurs, Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Crest Hollow Country Club, Andrew Hazen keynotes, Kominicki MCs, honoring ADDAPT, Astoria Bank, Teq, Cold Spring Harbor Lab and Innovator of the Year winner Steven Patrikis, $160 for nonmembers. Reach out to Bonnie Seider at bseider@acitli.com.
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BELOW THE FOLD
Whatever happened to Eskimo Bars? Baskin Robbins has announced the addition of a Polar Bear Dome Cake and Fudge Yule Log for the holidays. The chain has also added a flavor of the month called Oreo Cool Mint Chocolate. (If tempted, see type 2 diabetes item above.)
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