Startup policy priorities for 2026
Engine releases 2026 Startup Agenda
Engine releases Startup Policy Playbook for 2026
#StartupsEverywhere: Hillsboro, Ore
Instinct is a wildlife-surveying tech company based in Oregon. Founded by Ashwin Datta, the company focuses on conservation natural resource management by providing data on species inhabiting the forests using an automated real-time, edge-computing, satellite-enabled bioacoustic monitoring device. We sat down with Ashwin to discuss his journey, the current challenges with trade, their experience with patents, and broadband accessibility.
How expanding unlicensed spectrum spurs startup innovation
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted earlier this week to expand and enhance the use of unlicensed spectrum in the 6 GHz band, increasing high-quality wireless connectivity for innovative technologies developed and used by startups.
Startup News Digest 01/16/26
#StartupsEverywhere: Raleigh, N.C.
Atlas CEO and co-founder Michael Hoy is no stranger to the entrepreneurship ecosystem. After founding two companies and joining an early-stage startup, he developed a deep passion for the startup journey. Using his lived experience, he launched Atlas to help SaaS and AI companies find their product-market-price fit. We had the opportunity to chat with him about his journey, regulatory obstacles, their intellectual property strategy, and more.
Startup News Digest 01/09/26
#StartupsEverywhere: San Juan, P.R.
Professor Alejandro Mieses Castellanos is the founder and CEO of TerraFirma, a Puerto Rico-based startup that utilizes satellite data to provide localized geographic information for academic research, land management, and development purposes. We sat down with Professor Mieses, to talk about his approach to intellectual property, the state of grant funding, and more.
Startup News Digest 12/19/25
#StartupsEverywhere: San Francisco, California
Autumn Labs provides software that makes it easy to monitor factory stations, and its process through a single platform helps organizations reduce production stoppages while enhancing product quality. We interviewed Prathik Muppidi, co-founder of Autumn Labs, to understand their software capabilities and the various challenges they encounter, such as broadband access, the H-1B visa lottery, and the limited definition of an accredited investor.
Startup News Digest 12/12/25
#StartupsEverywhere: Austin, Texas
During peak travel season, quick and reliable turnover is essential for rentals. Diana Muturia and her co-founder built Clyn, a platform that automates cleaning operations for short-term and vacation rentals. We sat down with Diana to discuss her journey building the platform, the challenges of fundraising, the barriers to accessing public data, and broadband infrastructure.
#StartupsEverywhere: Brooklyn, N.Y.
In the busy tech scene of Brooklyn, NY, a startup called Structify is changing how businesses handle their information. Founder Alex Reichenbach’s approach cuts through the traditional complexity of data management by building custom data pipelines that any user can interact with in natural language. We sat down and talked to Alex, who detailed how the company uses AI to automate the role of a data engineer, AI policy, the importance of compute credits to early-stage startups, and the need for STEM talent development.
Startup News Digest 12/05/25
Startup News Digest 11/21/25
How a patent tax would harm startup innovation
#StartupsEverywhere: New York, N.Y.
Born to immigrant parents, Aidan Chau grew up around restaurants and saw firsthand the operational challenges they face. He built Maple, an Al phone answering service that handles orders and reservations so restaurant teams can stop missing phone calls and operate with greater efficiency. We sat down with Aidan to discuss building Maple, the potential implications of the New York RAISE Act, and how the right Al tools create jobs rather than replace them.
