ECONOMIC DATA

US mortgage rates

New numbers for the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage will be released Thursday. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was unchanged at 3.71 percent, the same as the week before.

FORUM

The MBTA’s data plan

The Harvard Kennedy School and the Taubman Center for State and Local Government are sponsoring an event with MBTA officials who will discuss how data will be used to improve performance and communication with riders. The event is open to the public. Thursday, noon, Nye A, fifth floor, Taubman Building, 15 Eliot St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free.

SPEAKER SERIES

What emerging businesses need to know

As part of an ongoing speaker series sponsored by McCarter & English LLP, serial entrepreneur Desmond Pieri will talk about how to manage a technology business. Attendees will learn about hiring, fund-raising, and how to be an effective leader. Thursday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Cambridge Innovation Center, One Broadway, fifth floor, Havana Room, Cambridge. Free.

EVENT

Finding investors for life sciences startups

Sky Ventures Group is sponsoring an event for life sciences and health care startups on how to find early-stage investors. Industry investors and researchers will present. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, 23rd floor, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston. Free to $30.

PANEL

Technology serving seniors

The Venture Café has organized an panel discussion featuring the director of the AgeLab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Panelists will discuss how technology can be used to improve senior citizens’ quality of life. Thursday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Cambridge Innovation Center, One Broadway, fifth floor, Havana Room, Cambridge. Free.

Events of note? E-mail us at agenda@globe.com.