"Trends in Venture Capital"
   posted 4/23/2012 by Jeremy Hill

2012 will be an exciting year for venture capital, as we saw so many different emerging markets throughout 2011. Economic growth may have been slow in some sectors, but certain areas are booming and will draw interest from venture capital funds. These sectors have proven to be necessary now and in the future, or are areas that we will constantly be reliant on for many years to come. Right now, these industries are getting the most attention from venture capitalists and are poised to continue to thrive throughout 2012:

Clean and Renewable Energy Companies and Technologies

The current push towards cleaner energy and sustainable technology has led to some exciting innovations. Venture capitalists have many opportunities for investing in oil and gas companies that are trying out new renewable energy projects, as well as start-up firms that are using proven solar and wind energy methods. There are also global opportunities for investment in this field as well, as large wind and solar energy projects are being designed and built in countries all over the world. Clean energy technologies are also being used in cars and there are start-up companies working to build even more advanced and smart electronic cars that are affordable work better than before.

Telecommunications Technologies

New advancements in telecommunications will lead to a wealth of investment opportunities for venture capitalists in new service providers and new technology based around 4G. Look for new network operators and new applications throughout the United States and the entire world. Anything involving social networking, gaming and technologies in the cloud will be huge in 2012, offering venture capitalists opportunities for quality investments.

Healthcare

With new government regulations and the need for electronic health records, there will be opportunities for streamlining health records electronically. New technologies are being designed and need funding to support the switch from physical records and health documents to electronic files. This is also an area where tremendous growth is expected, as the baby boomer population ages and seeks more medical care.

All of the above industries look to be very promising in the next year for venture capitalists and will continue to be high-growth areas quite some time.

"The Need for Private Equity"
   posted 2/27/2012 by Jeremy Hill

It is no secret that the markets have been slow to rebound since the financial collapse of 2008. There has been less lending from banks, especially to consumers and to businesses that would have gotten fast loans in the past, but are now seen as too risky. Yet there are still millions of people with ideas and plans for businesses in growing sectors that need money to get their ideas off of the ground. These businesses can help to dig the country and the world out of the financial holes they are in, but there needs to be funds available to get these businesses going.

How can entrepreneurs get their businesses started without a loan from the big banks? Private equity is the key to these entrepreneurs’ ideas and can help them to begin companies, leading the markets to rebound and the health of the economy to improve.

Private equity is absolutely an essential element that this country needs to get back on its feet. Private equity firms, venture capitalists and angel investors are vital to the economy and will help to nurture the expansion and growth of new businesses.

Businesses in the fields of technology, clean energy, telecommunications, healthcare and retail are expected to be at the forefront of the growing economy in 2012. These markets need private equity funds in order to achieve their goals. As these companies expand and become successful, more jobs will be created and more money will flood into the economy. Private equity is a necessity that will help to resuscitate our economy and will lead to more stability in the markets.

"Attitude and Expectations"
   posted 4/15/2010 by Jeremy Hill

What do you think people say about you when you are not around to hear it? Do you believe that others have a similar impression of you that you have of yourself?

Whether you recognize it or not, little things do make a difference; the way you dress, how you present yourself, how you react to conflict, how you greet the barista making your coffee and yes, even your table manners and the way you hold your fork. All of these things communicate to others how you feel about you.

I was talking with a great friend of mine, Bill the other day about a meeting of his that was going to take place over a few days of skiing at a private resort in Montana.  He said that he had been hitting the slopes a lot lately, preparing for the meeting. Imagine that I thought, skiing as preparation for business. He went on to share to me that for him being world class did not end in the board room.  He wanted to give his best at everything he did, and his attitude towards skiing directly correlated to his attitude in business.  That attitude has made him tremendously successful.

Growing up, my grandfather wore a coat and tie seven days a week.  Yes, partially for work and church on Sundays, but more so as an outer reflection of an inner feeling. He was a professional, kind, courteous and well mannered gentleman. In fact, those who didn’t know him could easily tell the type of man he was by how he lived his life. His shoes were always polished, clothes always pressed, car always clean and never spoke ill of anyone.  Excellence for him was innate, it had no barriers. He was the same in business as he was with his family, a gentleman.

I believe that your attitude and expectations about yourself and others says a lot for the heights you will reach, the impressions you will make and how people will respond to you.  Everyday you make an impression on those around you, it is up to you to determine if it is good or bad.


"A Year of Promise and Hope"
  posted 1/19/10 by Jeremy Hill

As you receive and read this latest issue, a new year is thoroughly upon us. I believe that most have happily put 2009 on the shelf.  In our offices, there is a renewed energy and vitality for the new year.  A new year provides promise, hope, opportunity. The fear and unrest of the last year has settled some, although the experiences and lessons will stay with us for some time. It has been an awakening from our credit intoxication to a new consciousness, forcing most of us to find  honesty in how we spend, manage and invest our money.

Expectations for this year will change. To say that real estate investors lost sight of fundamentals during the heights of the market is a gross understatement.  This year we expect to see how that lack of vision and focus will affect the Commercial Real Estate Market, as well as the potential of another bubble in the residential market before year end.  As investors look at real estate in 2010, we will see a return to fundamentals. A disciplined back to basics approach should prove a strong compass in successfully navigating this year.

I read once that any fool can make something difficult, but it takes true wisdom to make things simple.  I would encourage you that as you look at where to invest your time and money this year, find the root of your true motivation, it may surprise you.


"With Transparency Comes Simplicity"    
    posted 12/4/09 by Jeremy Hill 

Every morning as I am preparing for my day, it seems as though I am met with new commentary about what is going to happen with the real estate market, or a new investment manager caught with his hand in the cookie jar or viewpoints on how the economic bailout has or hasn't worked. As I grab my coffee, make sure the knot in my tie is just right and head out the door, I wonder how most people are digesting all of the media.

For the last few years hedge fund and investment managers have been selling structured investment products so ethereal and complex, they didn't even understand them. As a result, the loss in equity markets continue to mount and we have seen a financial Chernobyl that our children will study for years to come. With such a vacuum of common sense, there has been a complete erosion of confidence. Over the last year, we have seen many investors completely getting out of the market as a form of self-preservation or liquidating their portfolios in search of transparency. I can't say that I can find fault with either group.

JB Capital is an private real estate services firm in Kirkland, Washington. Here in the office and with our clients we have come to find our own investment mantra of sorts - "Transparency Comes With Simplicity." We partner with a very discerning clientele to assist in managing the complexities that come with extending wealth through real estate investments. We feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility with those clients and friends who place their trust in us.

Today, there is abundance of opportunity for savvy investors. At JB Capital, you won't find complex investments that require a compass, a map or a magic decoder ring. You will find simple, straightforward investments with a splash of common sense.