Research Hub · Verified Primary-Sourced Data
Stack Network covers 18 industry verticals with verified data sourced directly from federal agencies, trade associations, and primary research. Tariff impact across industries. Startup cost benchmarks by state and sector. AI compliance requirements mapped across 16 verticals. All primary-sourced.
Key Data Points — Cross-Vertical
Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum: 25% each as of February 2025 (most exemptions revoked). Source: U.S. Department of Commerce.
Universal baseline tariff: 10% on most imports effective April 2025; China-specific rate is 145%. Source: White House EO, Federal Register.
Construction material cost increase: 8–14% from tariffs; residential projects up ~$18,000/unit. Source: AGC + ENR Cost Index.
19 U.S. states have comprehensive data privacy laws as of 2025. CCPA is the de facto national baseline. Source: California AG.
U.S. median home price: $407,100 (Q1 2026). 30-year fixed mortgage: 6.8%. Source: NAR + Freddie Mac PMMS.
OSHA willful violation penalty: up to $156,259. Serious violation: up to $15,625 per incident. Source: OSHA.gov.
SBA 7(a) loans: Prime + 2.25–4.75%, max $5M. SBA 504 (commercial real estate): 6.1–6.8% fixed. Source: SBA.gov, March 2026.
$500B+ in new U.S. manufacturing commitments announced 2022–2026, driven by CHIPS Act + IRA credits + tariff pressure. Source: SelectUSA / Commerce Dept.
| Tariff Program | Rate | Applies To | Vertical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 232 Steel | 25% | All countries (most exemptions revoked 2025) | Construction, Manufacturing, Supply Chain |
| Section 232 Aluminum | 25% | All countries (raised from 10%, Feb 2025) | Construction, Auto, Packaging |
| Section 301 China — Lists 1–4 | 25% | ~$350B in Chinese goods | Technology, Manufacturing, Retail |
| Section 301 China — Strategic | 145% | EVs, batteries, solar, semiconductors, electronics | Technology, Energy, Auto |
| Universal Baseline | 10% | All countries (USMCA exemptions apply) | All import-dependent verticals |
Startup costs vary dramatically by industry and state. The data below reflects verified ranges from SBA data, industry surveys, and state licensing records — not estimates.
| Industry | Startup Cost Range | Key Cost Drivers | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full Service) | $175,000 – $750,000 | Build-out, equipment, licenses, working capital | NRA / SBA |
| Construction Contractor | $50,000 – $250,000 | Licensing ($5K–$15K), equipment, insurance, bonding | AGC / State licensing boards |
| Healthcare Practice (Primary Care) | $250,000 – $500,000 | EHR software ($15K–$70K/yr), equipment, credentialing | MGMA / AMA |
| Retail (Brick & Mortar) | $50,000 – $350,000 | Lease deposit, inventory, POS, signage | SBA / ICSC |
| Franchise (Mid-Market) | $150,000 – $500,000 | Franchise fee ($25K–$75K), build-out, working capital | FTC FDD disclosures / IFA |
| Law Firm (Solo Practitioner) | $10,000 – $50,000 | Bar licensing, malpractice insurance, practice management software | ABA / State Bar Associations |
| SaaS / Tech Startup | $25,000 – $150,000 | Cloud infrastructure, development tools, legal/entity formation | YC / Stripe Atlas benchmarks |
| Childcare Center | $100,000 – $300,000 | State licensing, facility build-out, staffing ratios | NAEYC / State licensing agencies |
AI compliance obligations differ significantly by industry. Healthcare, finance, and legal sectors face the strictest existing frameworks. The regulatory landscape is evolving in real time.
| Vertical | Primary AI/Data Compliance Framework | AI Risk Level | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | HIPAA (45 CFR Parts 160/164) + FDA AI/ML guidance | High | PHI cannot be used to train AI without explicit authorization; FDA oversight for clinical decision support |
| Finance / Banking | FCRA + ECOA + Fed/OCC AI guidance 2024 | High | Explainability required for adverse credit actions; algorithmic fairness audits increasingly expected |
| Legal | State bar rules (varies) + ABA Model Rules | Medium-High | Competence duty extends to AI tools; supervision required; confidentiality of client data in AI systems |
| HR / Hiring | EEOC Guidance + Illinois AEDT Law + NYC Local Law 144 | Medium-High | NYC requires annual bias audits for AI hiring tools; Illinois requires candidate disclosure for AI video interviews |
| Construction | OSHA + limited AI-specific rules (emerging) | Lower | AI safety systems on jobsites must meet existing OSHA safety standards; no AI-specific mandate yet |
| Retail / E-Commerce | CCPA + FTC AI guidance + state privacy laws | Medium | AI-driven pricing and personalization subject to FTC unfair practices scrutiny; data minimization required |
| Energy / Utilities | NERC CIP + FERC Order 2222 + state PUC rules | Medium-High | Critical infrastructure AI systems subject to NERC cybersecurity standards; grid management AI under FERC oversight |
| Franchise | FTC Franchise Rule + state franchise disclosure laws | Lower | FDD must disclose material AI tools used in franchise operations; emerging state requirements on AI in franchise agreements |
| Industry | Avg Profit Margin | Regulatory Burden | AI Adoption Index | Stack Resource |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare (clinical) | 3–8% | Very High | Moderate | Stack Health |
| Finance / Banking | 12–22% | Very High | High | Stack Finance |
| Construction | 2–6% | High | Low-Moderate | Stack Build |
| SaaS / Technology | 15–35% | Low-Moderate | Very High | Stack IPO |
| Legal Services | 20–35% | High | Moderate | Stack Legal |
| Franchise (QSR) | 5–9% | Medium-High | Moderate | Stack Franchise |
| Real Estate (Brokerage) | 10–18% | Medium-High | Moderate | Stack Property |
| Energy (Renewable) | 8–15% | High | High | Stack Energy |
Section 232 tariffs impose a 25% duty on imported steel and 25% on aluminum as of 2025. Aluminum was increased from 10% to 25% in February 2025. Most country-specific exemptions — including those for Canada and Mexico on most products — were revoked in March 2025. Legal authority: Trade Expansion Act of 1962, Section 232. Source: U.S. Department of Commerce / Federal Register.
Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber have added an estimated 8–14% to material costs for new U.S. construction projects in 2026. Residential construction faces an estimated $18,000 per unit increase. Structural steel costs rose ~28% year-over-year; aluminum products ~18%; softwood lumber ~19%. Source: Associated General Contractors of America + ENR Construction Cost Index, verified February 2026.
As of 2025, 19 U.S. states have comprehensive consumer data privacy laws. California's CCPA/CPRA is the most stringent and sets the effective national baseline. Businesses collecting personal data of 100,000+ California consumers OR generating 50%+ revenue from data sales must comply. Penalties reach $7,500 per intentional violation and $750 per consumer in data breach litigation. Source: California Attorney General CCPA Resources.
SBA 7(a) loans currently carry rates of Prime + 2.25–4.75% depending on loan size and term, with a maximum loan amount of $5 million. SBA 504 loans (for commercial real estate and major equipment) have fixed rates of approximately 6.1–6.8%, with a maximum of $5.5 million. These are the most accessible small business financing programs. Source: SBA.gov, verified March 2026.
The U.S. median existing home price is $407,100 as of Q1 2026, up 3.2% year-over-year. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is approximately 6.8% (March 2026). Existing home inventory stands at 3.6 months supply. First-time buyers represent 31% of purchases; all-cash buyers represent 28%. The conforming loan limit for 2026 is $806,500. Source: NAR (National Association of Realtors) + Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
Federal employment law obligations activate at employee count thresholds. From the first hire: I-9 verification, W-4 withholding, FICA payroll taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare employer share), and new-hire state reporting within 20 days. At 15 employees: Title VII (no discrimination), ADA, and ADEA (age 40+) activate. At 50 employees: FMLA (12 weeks unpaid family/medical leave) and ACA employer mandate activate. At 100 employees: WARN Act (60-day notice for mass layoffs) activates. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.
OSHA imposes penalties up to $15,625 per serious violation and up to $156,259 for willful or repeated violations as of 2025. Failure-to-abate penalties reach $15,625 per day. Employers with 11+ employees in covered industries must maintain Form 300 injury logs. Fatalities must be reported within 8 hours; in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and eye loss within 24 hours. Construction's fatal injury rate is 9.6 per 100,000 workers. Source: OSHA.gov.
A 10% universal baseline tariff applies to most imported goods effective April 9, 2025, per White House Executive Order. Country-specific rates are higher in many cases: China faces 145% (strategic goods), the EU 20%, Japan 24%, Vietnam 46%, and India 26%. Canada and Mexico are exempt for USMCA-compliant goods. The baseline applies where no higher tariff program is in force. Source: White House EO / Federal Register, April 9, 2025.