@Engine, Weekly Digest, Digest, Talent, Future Tech, Open Internet, Telecom, 2024 Election, Tax & Finance, Tax & Trade, Access to Capital, Innovation for All, IP
The Engine Team
Startup News Digest 11/08/24

Startup policy outlook under second Trump term

Startup News Digest 11/08/24
#StartupsEverywhere
Emma Peters
#StartupsEverywhere: Los Angeles, Calif.

Executive coaching should be accessible to anyone who is interested, but oftentimes scaling the education is not practical. With her company Zella Life, co-founder Remy Meraz is democratizing professional development using AI. We sat down with her to discuss AI, independent contractors, and more. 

#StartupsEverywhere: Los Angeles, Calif.
#StartupsEverywhere
Emma Peters
#StartupsEverywhere: Philadelphia, Pa.

After working in the financial sector for over 20 years, Mical Jeanlys-White founded her own company, WealthMore, a wealth tech with a focus on tackling a key financial barrier—wealth building and management. Her company leverages technology to connect everyday Americans with accessible wealth management services, aiming to provide wealth creation for all. We sat down with her to discuss her journey in raising capital, navigating tax policy, the evolving role of AI, and more.

#StartupsEverywhere: Philadelphia, Pa.
#StartupsEverywhere
Emma Peters
#StartupsEverywhere: Bentonville, Ark.

Vance Reavie is no stranger to entrepreneurship. Using his knowledge from previous ventures, he created an AI platform that intelligently automates manual marketing and merchandising workflows and content generation processes for brands and retailers. We sat down with Vance to discuss the startup ecosystem in Arkansas, AI policy and regulation, grant opportunities, and more. 

#StartupsEverywhere: Bentonville, Ark.
#StartupsEverywhere
Emma Peters
#StartupsEverywhere: Anchorage, Alaska

Founded in 2017, 60Hertz set out to tackle critical challenges in maintaining microgrids and renewable energy systems, particularly in remote regions like Alaska. Now active in eight countries, the company provides advanced maintenance technology through its SaaS platform. In this blog post, we dive into 60Hertz’s journey, from early capital-raising hurdles to success with government grants, and explore the future goals of this innovative company.

#StartupsEverywhere: Anchorage, Alaska

diversity

,

SVB: what happened, how the fallout impacts startups, what policymakers can do next

,
SVB: what happened, how the fallout impacts startups, what policymakers can do next

The fall of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) dealt an immediate shock to the global startup ecosystem and will have lasting ramifications for banks and founders. Many startups lack access to large banks, and instead rely on community and regional banks to meet their needs. SVB in particular was uniquely situated to support the startup ecosystem, offering more favorable terms for loans and connections for founders. But the fall of SVB has led to concerns that other banks may suffer similar fates, and at the same time has brought to the forefront the risk inherent to the startup ecosystem.

, , , , , , , , ,

Startup News Digest 03/17/23

, , , , , , , , ,
Startup News Digest 03/17/23

The Big Story: SVB fallout puts startup banking needs in the spotlight. In the wake of last week’s collapse of a key startup-facing bank, many in the startup ecosystem are concerned about the banking options and funding landscape for startups across the country.  Last week, California regulators and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shuttered and placed into receivership Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a mainstay bank for the global startup ecosystem. At the same time, startups scrambled to move funds and were unsure if they’d have the capital to pay their employees this week.

, ,

Reflecting on Diversity in Tech on MLK Day

, ,
Reflecting on Diversity in Tech on MLK Day

Today, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most ardent advocates for the advancement and equality of African Americans in history, we should reflect on the continuing injustice in our socioeconomic system and contemplate how we can more effectively work to close the racial entrepreneurship gap.

,

Startup News Digest: 5/19/17

,
Startup News Digest: 5/19/17

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took the first official step in eliminating existing net neutrality protections this week. In a 2-1 party-line vote, the Commission adopted Chairman Ajit Pai’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which would reverse the 2015 Open Internet Order and the agency’s Title II classification of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In a statement reacting to the vote, Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom noted that “Any effort to undermine existing net neutrality rules would greatly harm the startup ecosystem...We must not remain silent. Now is the time for the startup community to galvanize around meaningful protections.” Y Combinator founder Sam Altman echoed this sentiment in a Wired op-ed published the same day as the vote, arguing that startup founders have a duty to fight for net neutrality. “Without strong net neutrality rules...the cable and wireless companies that control internet access will have outsized power to pick winners and losers in the market,” he writes. The FCC’s vote initiates a public comment period of 90 days.

,

Startup News Digest: 3/24/17

,
Startup News Digest: 3/24/17

Following last year’s dramatic removal of Maria Pallante as Copyright Register, the struggle between Congressional leaders and the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, continues. Despite the fact that Hayden has been clear about her intention to appoint the new Register, (as current law grants her the authority to do), top Republicans and Democrats introduced legislation yesterday that would make the position President-appointed and Senate-confirmed. This shift comes at a time when stakeholders across the board are calling for modernization of the Copyright Office, especially the digitization of records in order to simplify the determination of copyright holders. Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees met with Hayden earlier this month in an attempt to hold off on her nomination, however she later wrote them to tell them she planned to move forward with the process in order to ensure an “efficient and effective Copyright Office to serve Congress and the wide variety of stakeholders.” We’re tracking.

, ,

Diversifying Tech Caucus Hosts First 2016 Briefing on African Americans in Tech

, ,
Diversifying Tech Caucus Hosts First 2016 Briefing on African Americans in Tech

The Diversifying Tech Caucus, the bipartisan, bicameral caucus that Engine helped establish last year, held its first briefing of 2016 earlier this week. The Capitol room was packed with over 70 congressional staffers who heard from a panel of tech workers, leaders, and entrepreneurs about African American participation in the tech workforce. The numbers aren't great, with African Americans making up just 6 percent of STEM workers, a dismal 2 percent of employees at major Silicon Valley firms, and an even smaller percentage of venture-backed startups. Yet, many efforts, from private industry as well as non-profit organizations, are underway to the bolster the participation and leadership of blacks in tech.

 

Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used.


Careers

CONTACT US

700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
info@engine.is
comms@engine.is