As an ecosystem, our New Year’s resolution should be to do all we can to ensure that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This is not always easy: research at MIT has taught us that at least five key stakeholder groups matter in such an entrepreneurial ecosystem – a model we refer to as the ‘pentacle’, consisting of: entrepreneurs, universities and ‘risk capital’ (of course), but also large corporations and even government policy makers. MIT’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Model – the “pentacle” More than simply having each of these groups play their parts in the Continue reading >>>

Highlights from the Boston Real Estate Now blog. Home prices are rising relentlessly across Greater Boston once again while the number of listings straggle along at record low levels. It’s a bad brew for buyers, who can feel pressured to blow past their budgets in a bid to land a house in a tight market. Crazy low interest rates — fears they may be poised to go away — only add to the temptation. Of course, the last time buyers were under that kind of stress was back during the housing bubble. We all know how that turned out. So if you are out house hunting, it is more important now than Continue reading >>>

Jim Nemetz, manager of Hammond Residential Real Estate’s Chestnut Hill office, has announced that agent Maxine Malka Freedman has affiliated with Hammond. In her new role, Freedman will assist her clients from Hammond’s Chestnut Hill office and company headquarters at 826 Boylston St. Freedman is a longtime Brookline resident who was born in Providence, R.I., raised in North Miami Beach, Fla., and later lived in Jerusalem, Israel. She is a University of Florida graduate who holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology. Freedman and her husband have twice been awarded Continue reading >>>

Boston Herald Photo Gallery

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Winter Storm Hercules is finally making its away out of New England and as Bostonians hunker down under piles of blankets and servings of hot toddies, it's important to prepare for when we have to venture outside. Sure, we offered up some preparation tips for prior to when Hercules struck, but even the meteorologists didn't predict upwards of two feet of snow in some parts of Massachusetts and the Greater Boston Area. That, coupled with near-record freezing temperatures makes for some serious post-storm work. Out friends over at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security have compiled Continue reading >>>

By Matt PerkinsNearly two feet of snow fell in some parts of Massachusetts as a result of the two-day snow storm that hit the area Thursday and Friday. The storm arrived in New England as early as Thursday morning and continued through the night, bringing with it frigid temperatures, blistering winds and quickly-accumulating snowfall totals. Logan International Airport reported 14.6 inches as of 7 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service, and Essex County saw the heaviest snowfall totals, reaching nearly 24 inches in Boxford and Topsfield. The following highlights Continue reading >>>

Jan. 03--Mohegan Sun's final application for a Greater Boston casino license, filed this week with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, comprised thousands of pages of documents and filled more than a dozen boxes. Previously touted as a $1 billion undertaking, the Revere project now carries a price tag of $1.3 billion, about the same as the competing plan proposed by Wynn Resorts, which filed a final application for its proposed casino in Everett. One of the two plans is expected to get the commission's nod by the end of May. "Our application reflects our vision for Massachusetts while Continue reading >>>

Mohegan Sun's final application for a Greater Boston casino license, filed this week with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, comprised thousands of pages of documents and filled more than a dozen boxes.Previously touted as a $1 billion undertaking, the Revere project now carries a price tag of $1.3 billion, about the same as the competing plan proposed by Wynn Resorts, which filed a final application for its proposed casino in Everett.One of the two plans is expected to get the commission's nod by the end of May."Our application reflects our vision for Massachusetts while addressing Continue reading >>>

Temperatures were a bit brisk, in the low- to mid-20s, but the sun was shining, and nearly 1,000 people turned out Wednesday for the state’s First Day hikes in the Blue Hills Reservation. “My friend invited me three years ago and we’ve been doing it ever since,” Peggy DiNatale of Stoughton said, holding a hot cup of chicken noodle soup. “It’s just fun, something different to do, and it gets you out on the first day.” She was with Janis and Tracy Parrin, sisters who were looking forward to a walk of 1 to 2 miles. “It’s a good start to the year,” Tracy Continue reading >>>