#StartupsEverywhere: San Francisco, Calif.

#StartupsEverywhere: San Francisco, Calif.

For Margot Lee Schmorak, Hostfully and VC Backed Moms are the results of her years navigating the tech industry as a woman, mother, and mission-driven professional. While Hostfully promises a better property management experience, VC Backed Moms is the ultimate online community for founders in all stages of motherhood. We spoke with her about rental property management, increased STEM education, and the ways in which policymakers can support motherhood in entrepreneurship.

42 startups and support organizations sign letter supporting strong digital trade policy

 42 startups and support organizations sign letter supporting strong digital trade policy

A coalition of 42 U.S. startups, investors, and startup support organizations across 18 states sent a letter urging U.S. trade policymakers to support the growth and competitiveness of the startup ecosystem through smart digital trade policy. The letter calls on policymakers to support policies enabling cross-border data flows, making permanent the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions, and providing resources to help startups compete abroad. 

Engine releases 2024 Startup Agenda

Engine releases 2024 Startup Agenda

Engine released the 2024 Startup Policy Agenda, highlighting for policymakers the issues impacting the startup ecosystem, including the startup companies, investors, and support organizations across the country. The Agenda features startup founders discussing in their own words the obstacles they’ve faced as they launch new and innovative businesses and the ways policies have helped and hurt them.

Startup News Digest 2/02/24

Startup News Digest 2/02/24

Startup policy priorities for 2024 and how to get involved


#StartupsEverywhere: San Juan, P.R.

#StartupsEverywhere: San Juan, P.R.

PilotoMail is ushering in a new age for mailroom automation and virtual mailboxes. While she is focused on growing her business and navigating the US Postal System, Founder and CEO Sofia Stolberg is also on a deeply personal mission to strengthen the Puerto Rican ecosystem. We heard from her about challenges and successes in the Puerto Rican startup ecosystem, regulatory changes that impact her company, and her goals for the future. 

Startup News Digest 1/26/24

Startup News Digest 1/26/24

Pilot program launched to support AI research, innovation.


#StartupsEverywhere: Bronx, N.Y.

#StartupsEverywhere: Bronx, N.Y.

MetaBronx is the leading startup accelerator in NYC for underrepresented founders – including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ who are inventing technology-based solutions to large-scale problems. It places youth from underrepresented communities in an innovation environment where they learn all the skills to succeed in the 21st century. We spoke with co-founder Alejandra Molina about the current challenges underrepresented founders face in raising capital, the important role of accelerators and incubators in the startup ecosystem, and how the US can create a welcoming environment for immigrant entrepreneurs. 

Startup News Digest 1/19/24

Startup News Digest 1/19/24

Tax package could support families and boost startup innovation


Startup News Digest 1/12/24

Startup News Digest 1/12/24

Startups to face hiring challenges following independent contractor rule


Startup News Digest 12/15/23

Startup News Digest 12/15/23

Tens of thousands weigh in on net neutrality rulemaking 

#StartupsEverywhere: Chicago, Ill.

#StartupsEverywhere: Chicago, Ill.

HAAS Alert connects first responders, towing and recovery fleets, and roadway workers with vehicles and motorists through real-time digital alerts on its Safety Cloud® platform to prevent collisions and enhance road safety for everyone. We talked to Founder and CEO Cory Hohs about interconnected transportation, the technology that fuels it, and the future of roadway safety.

Startup News Digest 12/08/23

Startup News Digest 12/08/23

Supreme Court hears about dangers of state social media laws, including to startups

Startup News Digest 12/01/23

Startup News Digest 12/01/23

Digital taxes on the horizon, Canada likely to be first

#StartupsEverywhere: Santa Fe, N.M.

#StartupsEverywhere: Santa Fe, N.M.

Skoden Ventures is a VC firm that backs startups led by Indigenous, Black, brown, and women founders, aiming to foster a more equitable and creative economy. In our conversation with founding partner Kelly Holmes, we explored the challenges she encountered while building her company and her aspirations to ease the path for the next generation of underrepresented founders.