Startup Talk: Census Bureau Unveils Web Tool For Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs

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CENSUS BUREAU UNVEILS WEB TOOL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURS TO ACCESS ECONOMIC DATA: The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new Web tool that allows business owners and entrepreneurs to easily navigate and use key demographic and economic data to help guide their research into opening a new business or adding to an existing one. The “Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition,” was developed with user-centered design at its core and incorporated feedback from customers and stakeholders, including small business owners, trade associations and other government agencies.

The tool, found here, combines data from the American Community Survey, the economic census, County Business Patterns and other economic surveys to provide a complete business profile of an area. Business statistics include the number of establishments, employment, payroll and sales. American Community Survey statistics include population characteristics, economic characteristics and housing characteristics.

VERIZON, COGNIZANT JOIN FORCES ON “INTERNET OF THINGS” SOLUTIONS: Verizon and Cognizant announced this week they are joining forces to accelerate the delivery of leading-edge, technology-based solutions to enterprise clients. The two companies plan to work with organizations to define, design, deploy and manage new technology solutions that advance the digital business models of their customers.

As part of this alliance, joint customers will be able to experience large-scale technology demonstrations at Verizon’s Innovation Centers in San Francisco and Waltham, Massachusetts that will be powered by a new test-bed lab the companies are building. The lab and its technology will enable clients to visualize enterprise-scale projects versus simply viewing and testing point technology offerings.

The companies also said they will leverage their extensive experience in helping clients build the digital infrastructure that integrates social, mobile, analytics, cloud and sensor technologies used to power the Internet of Things.

BANK OF AMERICA BRINGS FINGERPRINT SIGN-IN APP TO MOBILE BANKING: Financial giant Bank of America unveiled a new fingerprint and Touch ID sign-in mobile app as part of a series of mobile and online banking improvements to better meet customers’ changing needs and make it easier for users to manage their finances digitally. The new fingerprint and Touch ID sign-in capabilities provide eligible Android, iPhone and iPad customers with a secure and convenient way to log into the mobile banking app using their fingerprint.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based banking and financial giant also said its mobile app is now compatible with Apple Watch, allowing users to view account balances and recent transactions for their linked checking, savings, credit card and investment accounts, as well as receive real-time alerts and notifications on their wrist. The functionality requires enrollment with Bank of America’s mobile banking app and is compatible with iPhone 5 devices or later, operating on iOS 8.2.

REVISITING THE BIRTH OF A VIABLE STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: A few years ago, Jeff Amerine of Startup Junkie talked about developing a startup ecosystem at TEDxBentonville. Much of what he had to say then, maybe all, is still relevant today. TB&P’s Startup/Entrepreneurship reporter Todd Jones revisits Amerine’s talk and looks at how so much of it has come to fruition. Read his analysis here.

A PROTECTIVE – AND ENTREPRENEURIAL – SPIRIT: Intelligence analysis, security operations and system design are all part of Red Five Security firm – a worldwide enterprise with deep Arkansas roots. Read more about Red Five’s rapid growth at this link.