This week we talked with Ryan Weber, President of the KC Tech Council, a group that represents tech companies and works to attract and retain players in the tech industry in Kansas City. Weber credit's the area's growth to several factors, including the presence of the health tech industry as well as how easy it is to travel from Kansas City to anywhere in the U.S. On his policy wishlist is a new look at how to train the tech talent of tomorrow.
Startup News Digest 5/11/2018
Engine Statement on Recent Attacks to our Patent System
Looking Back on National Small Business Week 2018
Last week, the 55th annual National #SmallBusinessWeek (NSBW) was celebrated on main streets across the country. Policymakers from both sides of the aisle expressed support for measures that promote entrepreneurship and provide small business owners with the resources they need to succeed.
#StartupsEverywhere: Dallas, TX
Dallas is quickly emerging as national hub of innovation, even in the saturated startup state of Texas. This week we spoke with Trey Bowles about the city’s multi-pronged efforts to develop a robust and collaborative ecosystem. He attributes Dallas’ success to the city’s deep talent pool and regional cooperation but believes that public funding for entrepreneur centers and stronger incentives for early stage investment could further unlock its potential for growth.
Startup News Digest 5/4/2018
Net neutrality advocates and lawmakers are preparing for a vote this month that could undo the FCC’s December move to repeal 2015 net neutrality rules.
#StartupsEverywhere: Jackson, MS
The “Hospitality State” of Mississippi is home to a network of innovators and entrepreneurs who are working to build a high-growth startup ecosystem there. This week we spoke with Christopher Lomax, one of the individuals driving the development of the digital economy in Jackson. Christopher cited Net Neutrality protections, tax incentives to retain Mississippi's top talent, and pro-STEM education reform as policies that could carry forward the progress the state has witnessed in recent years.
Startup News Digest 4/27/2018
The debate over law enforcement access to encrypted technologies flared up again this week after Wired published a deep dive on a proposal that would allow law enforcement to unlock encrypted devices.
#StartupsEverywhere: Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is quickly becoming a premier cultural and economic hub of the Southeast. The city’s startup ecosystem has benefited from this growth, leveraging the presence of major universities and an engaged local government. Charlton Cunningham of Startup Atlanta explained some of these changes Atlanta is undergoing and how startups can become an essential part of the city’s future.
Startup News Digest 4/20/2018
#StartupsEverywhere: Boise, ID
Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the country according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Boise’s startup community is expanding at a comparable rate. This week, we spoke with Daniel Faricy who cites buy-in from local stakeholders across sectors as a key input for the Treasure Valley’s ecosystem. However, he believes policies that favor the mobility of talent and capital are essential to carrying this progress forward.
Startup News Digest 4/13/18
The Big Story: Zuckerberg hits the Hill. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was on the Hill this week for back-to-back marathon hearings in front of lawmakers eager to press the company about its role in and response to Cambridge Analytica’s use of the data of tens of millions of Facebook users.
Leaving Startups in the Slow Lane
Internet service providers would like you to think there’s broad agreement on net neutrality because everyone agrees cable companies shouldn’t block or slow access to websites and online services. But mention the words “paid prioritization” and you’ll get a much different reaction. The issue is sure to divide the House Energy and Commerce Committee during its hearing on the topic next week.
Universities’ Role In Ecosystem Building
#StartupsEverywhere: Birmingham, AL
Birmingham has evolved from its industrial past to become an emerging hub of software companies that will be a stop on the Rise of the Rest tour next month. This week we spoke to Devon Laney, who believes that community buy-in and a state tax credit program which spurred real estate development downtown contributed to the ecosystem’s growth. However, he adds that a state grant matching program could further develop Birmingham’s innovation economy.
Startup News Digest 4/6/2018
#StartupsEverywhere: Austin, TX
Austin has rapidly transformed Central Texas into one of the world’s foremost technology and innovation regions. This week, we talked to Joshua Baer of Capital Factory, who cites the city’s community-minded entrepreneurs and the active involvement of the University of Texas as inputs to the ecosystem’s growth.
Startup News Digest 3/30/2018
Statement on Federal Appeals Court Decision on Fair Use
#StartupsEverywhere: Missoula, MT
The “Treasure State” of Montana is rapidly becoming a trove of high-growth startups and innovators. This week, we talked to Paul Gladen of the Blackstone LaunchPad, a university entrepreneurial education program brought to Montana with the help of Senator Jon Tester. Paul believes an educational process that helps legislators understand the needs of the 21st century economy could accelerate startup growth nationwide, as was the case in Montana.