Interesting Economic (& Human) Times

Author

Gale Wilkinson
September 15, 2025

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Welcome to the 117th edition of the Re:VITALIZE Newsletter for founders and friends.

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Gale’s Thoughts on the Market & Investing

These are interesting economic times:

-The labor market is weakening largely due to uncertainty around trade policy; 1M previously reported new jobs have been revised out of the reports, and the unemployment rate is 4.3% as of last month (the highest it’s been post-Covid)

-The stock market continues to perform well, perhaps boosted by the promise of AI and potential rate drops

-Households are feeling stress from rising grocery prices across some staples, while rent prices and insurance premiums across most categories continue to rise (consumer sentiment is down 21% versus the same time last year, per a University of Michigan study published last week)

-Interest rates are expected to be cut this week

So we have some competing factors economically speaking. Meanwhile, we are in the “busy season” for venture funding — it’s the end of the year rush when many VCs aim to do a couple of deals between summer breaks and winter holidays. It seems that a good number of early stage deals are getting done, and I believe we will continue to see this trend as long as the stock market remains stable.

It’s tough to only focus on the economic picture though, as it’s been a very hard few weeks for our country on a human level. I personally feel so sad about the division we see and hear from some of our politicians, leaders, press, and millions of Americans who comment on social media. Now more than ever, it’s time for us to be kind to each other and focus on how we can individually make a positive impact on the world. I didn’t watch his show, but I second the message that Stephen Colbert gave in his Emmy winning speech yesterday — when the elevator tries to bring us down a floor, let’s go crazy and punch a higher floor. We are in charge of our reactions and attitude — I have to remind myself of that sometimes with so much vitriol out there. But I choose to go higher, and I invite all of you, gentle readers, to please join me. ✨

-Gale Wilkinson

Recent VITALIZE Investments

  • Magic Door (Fund II) - AI-automated platform making rental management more simple, human, and intuitive.

A VITALIZE Win

AIRIA (VITALIZE Angels) announced its $1.8 Million AFWERX Contract!!

Work Insights

Some articles we like on work insights:

  • The three attributes common to successful AI adopters (WEF)

  • Job Hopping Is Out, Job Hugging Is In for Fearful Workers (WSJ)

  • What is the reverse-acquihire? (Fast Company)

  • Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay. Here’s What That Means for Your RTO Plans (Inc)

  • Future Focus: Progress and Reinvention in the World of Work (SHRM)

  • 3 Resources To Help Companies Design And Defend Legal DEI Programs (Forbes)

Our Content Picks for Founders

🥇 Start With Market Fit

🥈 The $50M Skillsets

🥉 Preparing Your Data Room

Our Content Picks on Investing

🥇 VC Fund Metrics Cheat Sheet

🥈 Scaling Into Angel Success

🥉 VC Market Mirrors PE

VITALIZE Portcos in the News

Written by the team at VITALIZE, a venture capital firm investing in U.S.-based B2B software founders innovating in WorkTech. Find us on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

This is the 117th edition of the Re:VITALIZE newsletter! ✨