His researchers call stores around the globe to get information on inventory, contact farmers for fertilizer prices, and scout out Chinese ports to find out how many ships are docked. To get access to the necessary number of people to work the phones and systematically collect that kind of granular information, Khan hired experienced people in data processing and equity research in Karachi. Once Qineqt — which will go live with a pilot of five asset managers in December — has its foundation of data, it will use machine learning and other technologies to automate the collection process. Khan points out that many small hedge fund firms and others lose their intellectual capital, along with data developed over years, when star managers walk out the door. yearswhen star managers walk out the door.

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