Nasdaq Launches Economic Institute with AI-Focused Inaugural Research

§ 01 Executive Snapshot

• What: Nasdaq has launched the Nasdaq Economic Institute, focusing on independent analysis of capital markets and macroeconomic trends.
• Who: Phil Mackintosh (Chief Economist at Nasdaq), Jeremy Skule (Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer).
• Why it matters: This initiative highlights the role of AI in transforming business formation and capital markets, providing valuable insights for a diverse range of stakeholders.

§ 02 Key Developments

• Nasdaq has established a dedicated research platform to analyze capital markets, macroeconomic trends, and financial systems.
• The inaugural research series published by the Institute focuses on the impact of generative AI on business formation, showing a sharp rise in new business applications since early 2025.
• The research indicates that solo entrepreneurs are driving growth in high AI-adoption sectors such as technology, finance, and professional services, which have seen an average annual productivity growth of 2.2% since 2005.

§ 03 Strategic Context

• The creation of the Nasdaq Economic Institute builds on Nasdaq's existing economic research capabilities and positions it to better serve its wide array of clients in the financial ecosystem.
• The focus on AI's role in business formation reflects a broader trend of digital transformation and the increasing importance of technology in the financial sector.

§ 04 Strategic Implications

• The establishment of the Institute may enhance Nasdaq's reputation as a thought leader in understanding the intersection of AI and capital markets, potentially attracting more clients and partnerships.
• Long-term, the insights generated could influence how businesses leverage AI tools, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in various sectors.

§ 05 Risks & Constraints

• Potential risks include challenges in accurately quantifying the impact of AI on business formation and productivity, which could affect the credibility of the Institute's research.
• Competition from other financial research institutions and think tanks could limit the Institute's influence and reach in the marketplace.

§ 06 Watchlist / Forward Signals

• Future research outputs from the Institute will be key indicators of its ability to provide actionable insights and attract stakeholder engagement.
• The editorial board's oversight of the research calendar will signal the Institute's focus areas and priorities moving forward.