These days AOL co-founder Steve Case invests in and mentors start-ups.
He's also trying to encourage entrepreneurship--and make it easier to start a new business--throughout America. On Tuesday he'll meet in Pittsburgh with Obama and 26 other members of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Created in January, the council convenes with the president once a quarter to propose ways to create jobs.
Case is also co-chair of the administration's National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and chairman of the Startup America Partnership, a public-private partnership launched at the White House in January.
So what does Case think can be done? In this week's TrendWatch video, he talks with Inc.com's Christine Lagorio about what the country should do for entrepreneurs to spur the economy when it comes to access to capital, regulation, and immigration. Watch the video to find out more.
In this week's TrendWatch Facts & Figures, four companies Case's firm Revolution has invested in:
1. LivingSocial
The daily deals site, which contracts with local restaurants, bars, spas, and theaters, has expanded outside the U.S. to Canada and the U.K. The company is planning a public offering worth an estimated $1 billion.
2. Zipcar
In April the car-sharing service that rents out eco-friendly vehicles at hourly and daily rates, raised $174 million in an initial public offering. Revolution still controls 18 percent of the company, which recently had a market capitalization of $665 million. In 2005 Case invested in Flexcar, a predecessor that merged with Zipcar in 2007 and took on the Zipcar name.
3. Exclusive Resorts
A members-only club that offers a variety of personalized lodging across all seven continents. Amenities include on-site concierge and housekeeping. Says it has sold $1 billion in memberships.
4. Clearspring
A widget-syndication service for media companies. The widgets are customizable, and individuals can use them to generate their own content.
