The latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to its highest since mid-2022, implying stronger near-term demand. This sentiment often precedes stock appreciation for firms in small-cap baskets, supporting the concept of investing in small caps. Among the featured Sharks were Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Daniel Lubetsky, Robert Herjavek, along with next-gen guest Sharks Allison Ellsworth and Rashuan Williams. They were joined by top business and investment leaders who shared their expertise in in-depth discussions covering everything from branding and marketing to harnessing the industry-shifting power of AI. The Russell 2000 has returned 7% so far in 2025 but performance has been improving of late and the Fed’s easing cycle is expected to improve prospects for the asset class. With AI adoption spreading beyond tech giants, small-cap software firms are deploying niche AI solutions, potentially expanding their TAM by 15% in
