The Big Story: FTC study scrutinizes small tech deals. The Federal Trade Commission is hinting that it may take a harsher view of tech companies’ acquisitions of startups.
State Policy Update: The Nuts and Bolts of State Innovation Policy
In a series of State Policy Updates, we are exploring how state initiatives are impacting the innovation happening in startup ecosystems across the country. While much of Engine’s work centers on policy advocacy and education in the federal landscape, state-based policymakers impact startup formation and growth through their own work. We’re tracking what’s working for startups, what’s falling short, and what federal policymakers can learn from their state-level counterparts.
Startups Need it, Lawmakers Want it, but Congress Has Yet to Move a Privacy Bill
The America Invents Act Turns Ten: What That Has Meant (and Could Still Mean) for Startups
The America Invents Act (AIA), signed into law ten years ago today, was the most substantial update to the U.S. patent system in recent memory. Reflecting on the past ten years reveals the ways in which the AIA has supported startup success but also shows room for improvement.
Startup News Digest 09/10/21
The Big Story: Global governments complicate content moderation. This week, governments across the globe zeroed in on how companies treat user content online, with several countries advancing policies that would make content hosting and moderation more difficult for Internet companies and hinder free expression online.
Startup News Digest 08/27/21
The Big Story: Startups should watch as Congress works on reconciliation bill. The House this week moved ahead with two major legislative packages that will have varying impacts on the U.S. startup ecosystem. On Tuesday, the House voted to approve a budget resolution creating a path for Congress to write its $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, which could include immigration, childcare, and tax provisions. It also set a deadline to vote on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill in late September, which includes billions of dollars for broadband expansion.
Startup News Digest 08/20/21
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.
Startup News Digest 08/13/21
The Big Story: Senate passes infrastructure bill, but crypto problems remain. This week, the Senate approved the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which has several provisions aimed at making broadband more accessible and affordable across the country, increasing opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. While those provisions are a big win for the startup ecosystem, the bill also contains a contentious provision that would create compliance burdens and data collection requirements on a large part of the cryptocurrency community.
Startup News Digest 08/06/21
The Big Story: Senate setting up broadband boost as part of infrastructure package. As the Senate moves toward passing the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, startups stand to gain from provisions in the bill that would increase reliable, accessible, and affordable broadband across the country. Although the bill has faced hurdles as it is being considered on the Senate floor—including significant pushback from the cryptocurrency community—the bill overall is a win for startups and Internet users.
Startups Stand to Benefit From Infrastructure Bill’s Broadband Push
Last week, Congress voted to advance the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill which promises to benefit startups by directing an unprecedented $65 billion for broadband development. This news comes at a time where many businesses are more dependent on Internet access than ever. Yet, there are still approximately 30 million Americans who lack broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds.
EU AI Regulation Needs Balance to Protect Startups, Promote Innovation
European policymakers concerned about the risks posed by human biases entering Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems introduced a draft proposal earlier this year that would govern AI within the European Union and American startups operating there. Eliminating bias in AI is necessary to protect human rights, and balanced regulation can provide the legal certainty required to foster socially-beneficial innovation. However, the proposed AI law misses this mark in its current form and instead discourages the uptake of AI in the EU and threatens the vitality of AI startups on both sides of the Atlantic.
Crypto Startups Are Watching As the Infrastructure Bill Progresses Through the Senate
As part of its sweeping, must-pass infrastructure bill, the Senate is debating a provision that would create compliance burdens and data collection requirements for members of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, including many startups.. While the language in the bill is meant to target tax evasion in cryptocurrency trading, if enacted, the provision could have broad, unintended consequences.
Startup News Digest 07/30/21
The Big Story: LIKE Act provides hope for startup visas
A new bill in Congress would create more opportunities for foreign-born innovators and strengthen our diverse startup ecosystem. This week, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), chair of the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, introduced the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act, legislation that would enable foreign-born innovators who meet certain investment benchmarks to embark on their entrepreneurial endeavors in the U.S., while also providing them with a pathway to permanent residency. A startup visa is more critical than ever, as other countries continue to attract founders through visas and investment in entrepreneurial infrastructure.
How Policymakers and Startups Alike Can Leverage Technology to Improve Patent Quality
Startup News Digest 07/23/21
The Big Story: Patent Quality Week examines startups’ need for balance. Today we close out our inaugural Patent Quality Week where we partnered with numerous organizations to showcase the importance of patent quality from a variety of perspectives and industries.
What We Heard from the Founders about Startups & Patent Policy
This week, during the inaugural Patent Quality Week, Engine, the Consumer Technology Association, and ACT | The App Association hosted a webinar to allow more of you to hear directly from these startup leaders across the country about the exciting work they are doing, and about how patents and abusive patent assertion affect their ability to grow and succeed.
The Nuts & Bolts of Competing Globally: How Startups Compete Abroad
The Internet has transformed the modern economy, led to new technological developments, and given rise to digital trade. Internet-enabled companies are able to reach users and customers across the globe without a brick-and-mortar place of business, but non-tariff barriers — such as forced data localization, imbalanced copyright law, and various restrictions on user speech — can prevent startups from competing abroad.
DACA Decision Puts U.S. Startup Ecosystem at Risk
A ruling from a federal judge last week is disrupting an immigration program for individuals brought to the U.S. as minors, that entrepreneurs — among many others — have relied on in recent years. The ruling from a Texas district court found the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) unlawful and blocks the administration from approving new applications. It is essential that policymakers implement a permanent solution, which includes a pathway to citizenship, for this community, because failing to do so can mean abandoning a critical source of U.S.-educated talent.
U.S. Needs a Startup Visa for Innovation to Thrive
Countries around the world are attracting innovators and entrepreneurs with pro-startup immigration policies, and Congress is beginning to take notice. This week, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on international talent loss to U.S. competitors, including Canada. Though the U.S. is a target destination for immigrant entrepreneurs looking to launch startups, other nations with more favorable immigration policies — including startup visas and considerable investments in entrepreneurial infrastructure and R&D — are quickly becoming hotspots for international talent. If we are to remain competitive and at the forefront of innovation, it is essential that policymakers reform immigration law so entrepreneurs can have access to the opportunities and talent they need to launch and grow their businesses in the U.S. instead.
Startup News Digest 07/16/21
The Big Story: As Congress pushes ahead on infrastructure, startups stand to gain. Congress has the chance to move the ball forward on an infrastructure package that if passed, would provide billions of dollars for several categories of infrastructure, including roads and bridges, electric vehicles, cybersecurity, and broadband—a major win for startups.
