#StartupsEverywhere
Mitchell Winter
#StartupsEverywhere: Lincoln, Neb.

Timing the sowing and watering of crops is as important as ever in agriculture. Jessi Korinek and her co-founders at Nave Analytics are developing a software that uses satellite data to help farmers cut down on water costs for irrigation. We sat down with Jessi to discuss her product, the impact of tariffs on the agricultural industry, and the challenges she faced in receiving federal research and development (R&D) grants.

#StartupsEverywhere: Lincoln, Neb.
@Engine, Weekly Digest, Digest, Access to Capital, Tax & Trade, Issues, IP, Privacy & Data Security, Telecom, Tax & Finance, Talent
The Engine Team
Startup News Digest 04/18/25

Startup ecosystem feels the effects of DOGE cuts

Startup News Digest 04/18/25
Blog, IP
Jill Crosby
Sacrificing Patent Quality for the Sake of ...

The Trump administration’s push for “efficiency” is undercutting key programs and tools that maintain balanced intellectual property frameworks that protect startups against low-quality patents and meritless, but expensive and time consuming, litigation.

Sacrificing Patent Quality for the Sake of “Efficiency”
Blog, Issues, Access to Capital
Jennifer Weinhart
The SBIR program is up for reauthorization ...

With a looming reauthorization deadline later this year, Congress has a chance to renew and improve a government funding program that can be critical to startups engaging in costly R&D.

The SBIR program is up for reauthorization again. It’s time for Congress to implement meaningful reform.
Blog, Privacy & Data Security, Issues
Kate Tummarello
Lawmakers are feeling the heat on kids’ safety, ...

Lawmakers in Congress and in state legislatures are under pressure from parents and advocacy groups to change Internet law to “keep kids safe online”.

Lawmakers are feeling the heat on kids’ safety, but are they willing to grapple with the tradeoffs?
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Statement on Patent Eligibility Restoration Act

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Statement on Patent Eligibility Restoration Act

The following statement is attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine, regarding the introduction of the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2022:

Statement:

“The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act would open doors to the type of weak, overbroad patents that preempt innovation and harm competition. It would allow a few companies to use the patent system to tie up the fundamental building blocks startups currently rely on to build and grow, exposing startups to more threats of litigation over low-quality patents. As Congress continues to evaluate legislation in this area, we look forward to continuing to work with them toward proposals that can promote startup success.”

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Startup News Digest 07/29/22

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Startup News Digest 07/29/22

The Big Story: New net neutrality bill would benefit startups. Lawmakers are restarting the stalled conversation around net neutrality, the idea that Internet service providers (ISPs) shouldn’t be able to charge websites and online services—including those run by startups—for better, faster access to their users. This week, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act—a bill that would reclassify broadband to give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to regulate ISPs, including on net neutrality.

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Startup News Digest 07/22/22

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Startup News Digest 07/22/22

The Big Story: CHIPS Act takes precedence in USICA developments. The Senate is moving forward with pared-down competitiveness legislation following Tuesday’s procedural vote, which cleared a key procedural hurdle. While the narrower package largely focuses on subsidies for the semiconductor industry, it is also expected to include some of the larger bill’s provisions to increase funding to broadly support U.S. innovation. Senators expect to tee up final passage next week, which would then send the bill to the House for consideration.

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Startup News Digest 07/15/22

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Startup News Digest 07/15/22

The Big Story: Hope fades for pro-startup provisions in U.S. competitiveness package. After months of negotiations, Congress has hit another roadblock to advancing a compromise version of two bills aimed at boosting U.S. competitiveness: the Senate’s United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and the House’s America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act.

The 411 on SPACs

The 411 on SPACs

SPACs, or Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, are publicly traded vehicles other companies use as an alternative way to go public. These companies, also known as “blank check” companies, are essentially shell companies that do not have commercial operations. They are formed with the sole purpose of raising capital and merging with or acquiring private companies, so that these acquisitions can go public faster and with fewer costs than a traditional Initial Public Offering (IPO).

#StartupsEverywhere: Minneapolis, Minn.

#StartupsEverywhere: Minneapolis, Minn.

Nucleic Sensing Systems (NS2) is an environmentally-focused company that employs biological sensing technology to monitor the presence of species in aquatic ecosystems. CEO Ed Rudberg spoke with us about his company, his experience with Small Business and Innovation Research (SBIR) funding, and policy areas of concern for startups and startup founders such as access to talent and affordable healthcare.

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Startup News Digest 07/08/22

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Startup News Digest 07/08/22

The Big Story: Copyright Office concludes ancillary copyright protections are not warranted. In a recent report, the U.S. Copyright Office explained why it does not recommend expanding or adopting new copyright-like protections for press publishers. The Copyright Office’s study was rooted in concerns about supporting vitally important local news media, but it focused specifically on whether policymakers should extend copyright-like protections (also known as “ancillary copyright”) to sharing hyperlinks and quoting news headlines or snippets of articles. Last week’s report concluded that it is not clear any new copyright-like protections would solve problems facing press publishers, while those sorts of copyright expansions would have “critical policy and Constitutional dimensions.”

#StartupsEverywhere: Boston, Mass.

#StartupsEverywhere: Boston, Mass.

Startup Boston is a community-building organization that provides New England-based startups with the programming, content, and initiatives to propel them toward success. Stephanie Roulic, Founder & Lead Organizer of Startup Boston, spoke with us about her organization, COVID-19’s effect on the startup ecosystem, and how policymakers can better support startup founders beyond the pandemic era.

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Startup News Digest 06/24/22

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Startup News Digest 06/24/22

The Big Story: Patent policy discussions resurface in D.C. this week. This was an active week for patent policy conversations in D.C., with the Senate, House, and Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) all weighing in. Procedures for reviewing low-quality patents took center stage, with many focused on the role the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) plays in the startup and small business ecosystems. It is imperative that policymakers who want to understand the full impact of the PTAB—particularly in regards to U.S. startups—ensure startup voices have an equal seat at the table when the topics are discussed.

#StartupsEverywhere: Philadelphia, Penn.

#StartupsEverywhere: Philadelphia, Penn.

Availyst is a customizable delivery management platform that allows consumers to find and sort through local grocery, takeout, convenience, and spirit options. Mandy Poston, CEO of Availyst, spoke with us about her company, what policymakers can do to help bolster the success of new businesses, and the difficulties startups face trying to navigate American privacy law.

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Startup News Digest 06/17/22

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Startup News Digest 06/17/22

The Big Story: Possible federal privacy framework on the horizon. After years of discussions and negotiations, lawmakers are taking serious steps towards creating a much-needed federal privacy framework that would create consistency for startups and protections for consumers. Earlier this week, the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held a hearing discussing the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA)—a draft bipartisan, bicameral bill that is the first meaningful step towards a federal privacy law following years of negotiations. Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) reportedly said this week that the subcommittee will consider and vote on the bill during a markup next week.

There’s a new bipartisan draft federal privacy law. What does it mean for startups?

There’s a new bipartisan draft federal privacy law. What does it mean for startups?

Congress is taking steps towards a much-needed federal privacy law that could help protect consumers while creating consistent obligations for startups. This week, the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection and commerce held a hearing discussing the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA). The ADPPA has support from key members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers and would replace a state-by-state patchwork of privacy laws, helping startups by easing compliance costs and lowering barriers. Engine has been a longtime advocate for such a law and commends lawmakers for taking an important step in developing a federal privacy standard.

#StartupsEverywhere: Austin, Tex.

#StartupsEverywhere: Austin, Tex.

Legal Karma is a software platform designed to expand the availability of legal services through a contract automation system that supports legal firms. Kory Kelly, Founder & CEO of Legal Karma, spoke with us about his business, the importance of programs that support founders through the process of building a startup, and the burdens that the differences in state tax and employment laws can place on startups hiring remote workers.

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IP Recap - 06/15/2022

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IP Recap - 06/15/2022

Standard-essential patents (SEPs) are getting increasing attention in policy debates. For example, the Biden administration recently withdrew a problematic SEP policy from 2019, but has not yet replaced it with anything. In late 2021, federal agencies published a draft SEP policy that signaled promising steps towards restoring balance—balance that could free up more space for innovation, improve the landscape for competition in connected devices and beyond, and promote affordable consumer access to the latest technology. But the nation is still waiting for a decision on that 2021 draft policy, and it remains to be seen what last week’s withdrawal of existing policy without a replacement means. This is a complex area of patent law, which big companies (often foreign companies) dominate. It can feel very opaque to outsiders, but everyone, including startups, has a lot at stake in conversations around balanced SEP policy. Especially as we move towards broader adoption of 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, domestic startups have a vital perspective that has to be accounted for as the government moves towards more balanced SEP implementation and enforcement.

State Policy Update: Startups need a solution for post-Wayfair sales tax administration

State Policy Update: Startups need a solution for post-Wayfair sales tax administration

As lawmakers turn back to a long-running conversation about a patchwork of state sales tax frameworks, startups need reprieve from high compliance costs and a permanent solution to help them succeed. Today, the Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing “Examining the Impact of South Dakota v. Wayfair on Small Businesses and Remote Sales.”

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Startup News Digest 06/10/22

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Startup News Digest 06/10/22

The Big Story: Patent Quality Week examines impact, reach, importance of balanced patent system. Today we close out our second annual Patent Quality Week where we—alongside startup leaders, experts, and industries across the country—set out to demystify the complex patent system and highlight the important ways in which it impacts every person and business in the U.S. With a better understanding of how the system operates, and all the ways we encounter it, we can chart a path to ensure patent policy works for every entrepreneur, innovator, and individual. And we can make sure everyone has a voice in the system.

What we heard from startups this Patent Quality Week

What we heard from startups this Patent Quality Week

The U.S. patent system impacts the lives and affects the work of every person and business across the country—including startups. But when the system becomes too complex or burdensome, when bad actors and invalid patents stand in the way of innovation, the system can block the progress it is supposed to foster. And oftentimes small businesses, the public, and even policymakers are in the dark about the system’s problems, frustrating our ability to solve them. That’s why during our second annual Patent Quality Week, Engine and the Developers Alliance hosted a conversation with startup leaders across the country about the various, sometimes harmful, ways they experience the patent system.

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#StartupsEverywhere: Portland, Ore.

#StartupsEverywhere: Portland, Ore.

Founded in Portland, Oregon, Lithic Tech builds software for startups, non-profits, and other teams, and assists clients in launching new products with a strong foundation. We talked to Co-Founder Rob Galankis about his programming background, the importance of business incubators in smaller tech hubs, and how policymakers can craft reasonable patent laws and financial programs that enable innovators from all backgrounds to have the flexibility they need to take risks and grow.

 

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