The Big Story: Congressional Startup Day brings policymakers and innovators together
This week, members of Congress and startups across the country celebrated Congressional Startup Day, the annual bipartisan, bicameral celebration giving startups a chance to connect with the members of Congress who represent them and identify the ways in which policymakers can encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
With the support of our House and Senate co-chairs Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. Shelley Capito (R-W.Va)—and Reps. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), and Young Kim (R-Calif.), who took the additional step of introducing a House resolution to designate August 18th officially as Congressional Startup Day—this year showcased a wide array of innovators from the many different regions, districts, and states that make up our diverse startup ecosystem and bolster our economy.
Organizations like Salem-based tech startup Steel Root met with Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) to discuss the impact of cybersecurity legislation on their ability to support other businesses. San Jose’s Hackers/Founders and JusticeText described their entrepreneurial wins and hardships during a roundtable discussion with Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). In West Virginia, Sen. Capito reaffirmed the importance of advocating for pro-growth policies after touring Intermed Labs, where she visited with Mon Health medical professionals and innovators and chatted with West Virginia University’s Vantage Ventures.
The goal of Congressional Startup Day is to kickstart these opportunities and highlight the importance of connection, but we encourage policymakers and innovators to continue these conversations year-round. We’re grateful to all of the startups and lawmakers that participated in this year’s Congressional Startup Day, and we look forward to next year’s events. For more information, and to follow along in advance of next year’s Congressional Startup Day, see our website.
Policy Roundup:
Lawmakers eye path for Dreamers in budget resolution. The Senate recently passed a resolution outlining outcomes for the next budget reconciliation process, including instructions to the House Judiciary Committee to provide permanent status for Dreamers. The status of Dreamers is currently in peril as the Fifth Circuit ruled the program unlawful, preventing new applicants from receiving approval and casting uncertainty over those currently in the program. As we’ve explained in the past, creating a permanent path to citizenship for Dreamers would open up the American dream in a more equitable way and boost the startup ecosystem—more than 70 members of the startup ecosystem agreed by signing onto a letter to congressional leadership earlier this month urging action. The path forward for the resolution remains uncertain as it heads to the House next week and still must be reviewed by the Senate Parliamentarian.
Virginia devotes $700 million to grow broadband. Virginia lawmakers announced this week plans to cut $700 million from the American Rescue Plan to make broadband universally accessible across the state in the coming years, including bringing connectivity to some 230,000 unserved homes and businesses. Currently, at least 16 percent of Virginians don’t have access to the Internet. With the state named as a top contender for business, it needs accessible, affordable, and reliable broadband across the state to foster innovation and startup growth.
Nigerian draft bill threatens startups, innovation. A draft bill in Nigeria made public earlier this week would disincentivize startups from operating in the Nigerian market. If enacted, the bill would make the country’s tech regulator a gatekeeper for innovation by—among other things—subjecting startups operating in the country to a “test and approval” process and requiring companies to obtain a license and pay fees if the service passes inspection.
Event next Friday: Nuts and Bolts of state innovation policy. Our second Nuts & Bolts series—hosted by Engine and the Charles Koch Institute—will explore state policies affecting startup talent acquisition and workforce mobility. Access to talent is one of the most critical issues for startups, and laws governing the hiring of independent contractors and of non-compete agreements can significantly impact a startup’s ability to hire the talent they need. Join us on Friday, August 27th to hear from an expert panel and to discover what policies help versus harm innovation.
