I currently work in the Information Technology sector as a programmer analyst and am looking to start this exciting adventure toward financial independence using real estate as the vehicle.  

If you operate an STR, gross income is your total rent paid by your guests, before any subtractions.To figure out your taxes, you take this gross income and subtract from it all allowable business expenses: marketing, education, technology, licenses and fees (including Airbnb and credit card fees), office expenses, business driving and so on.

I am a 30 year old technology(data science) professional who has been dabbling in real estate as a side gig.

Don't think technology to increase, think your property and how it shows and looks.

They thought their business was a technology business with a financial component, not understanding that it was a financial enterprise utilizing a technology platform. 

Assuming he would want to and could have one of his younger staff members help him clear the technology requirement ... just sayin!

Well, I do not know ANYTHING specific about the deal in question, the sponsors, or how the subject is organized, BUT as a syndicator/fund manager I will tell you the greatest risk faced by the limited partner/passive investor is NOT interest rate risk; NOT demographics risk; and not TECHNOLOGY risk; it is the risks that occur IF the sponsor’s interests are NOT aligned with the investors interests.

I like the Kwikset due to the SmartKey technology so you can easily rekey. 

Another one to watch out for is Industrial Heat, LLC which is based out of RaleighThey may release some game-changing technology soonTheir manufacturing may be in China though

I can tell you that for sure, without any question at all, that no brokerage cares about you unless they are a small mom-and-pop (and they won't have the technology stack to help you grow unless you only want to stay local).