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NEWS FEED
Startups need foundational digital trade policy made permanent
At the end of this month, a critical digital trade policy relied upon by startups is set to expire unless policymakers act. March 26–29, the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) will convene in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where the WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions will expire if it is not renewed.
Implications for startups of House online safety package
This week, a key House committee will consider a trove of online safety proposals, marking movement on one of the many intractable tech policy issues Congress perennially debates but rarely advances to the president’s desk. The proposed legislation comes with potential for a big impact on how startups design customer experiences, deliver their services, and interact with their users—regardless of those users’ ages.
AI policy impacts startup competitiveness
In every corner of the economy, there is a flourishing ecosystem of startups building AI, building with AI, and using AI to better everyday tasks. Some startups are building their own machine learning models to perform specific tasks. Most startups, though, are leveraging foundation models—either by licensing from market leaders or accessing open source—to fine-tune and build unique products.
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.
How a patent tax would harm startup innovation
The Trump administration is reportedly exploring a new framework for patent fees and valuation.
Promoting universal Internet access without raising costs for startups
While Congress weighs proposals to reform federal broadband programs aimed at closing the digital divide, policymakers must carefully evaluate how imposing new fees on startups could impact the innovation ecosystem.
The new “exit,” how policy choices led us here, and what it means for startups
Broadly, there are three types of startup exits: going public, being acquired, or failing.
How 2025 state legislative sessions grew the AI patchwork and what it means for startups
Nearly all state legislatures adjourned for the year, and they took several notable steps impacting startups and AI, putting forward over 1000 bills related to the technology.
Creating the next Silicon Valley, an update on the Tech Hubs Program
Congress passed a plan to build Silicon Valleys across the country, now they just need to fund it
The impact of semiconductor tariffs on U.S. startups
Next week, the Trump administration is poised to use national security authorities to impose tariffs on semiconductors, key components in nearly all electronics.
What The Senate’s Sweeping Tax Package Means for Startups
Last week the Senate’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) began to take shape, touching policy issues affecting the startup community such as AI, broadband funding and business tax credits.
Caught in the crossfire of the competition cases
This spring, antitrust enforcement agencies have been busy in the courtroom with cases that will impact far beyond the large tech company defendants.
Uncertainty Surrounding the BEAD Program and Its Impact on Startups
A federal program to boost broadband — a necessary component of startup founders and users ability to access the startup ecosystem — in states across the country is facing headwinds and delays as policymakers move the goalposts and risk making progress on closing the digital divide.
Sacrificing Patent Quality for the Sake of “Efficiency”
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.
The SBIR program is up for reauthorization again. It’s time for Congress to implement meaningful reform.
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.
Lawmakers are feeling the heat on kids’ safety, but are they willing to grapple with the tradeoffs?
Lawmakers in Congress and in state legislatures are under pressure from parents and advocacy groups to change Internet law to “keep kids safe online”.
Supreme Court reviews the Universal Service Fund: what it means for startups and the future of broadband programs
The fate of some of the largest broadband subsidy programs, key to bridging the digital divide for all consumers, including startups and their users, depends on the outcome of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) v. Consumers’ Research case before the Supreme Court.
AI Essentials: What is a foundation model?
This blog continues our series called “AI Essentials,” which aims to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding AI-related topics. It discusses what a foundation model is, how startups are leveraging them to drive greater innovation in the AI ecosystem, and what policymakers need to keep in mind.
AI Essentials: Copyright and model training
This blog continues our series called “AI Essentials,” which aims to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding AI-related topics. It discusses copyright infringement and fair use when it comes to the inputs used in AI training and why these legal questions are critical for the AI ecosystem and startup innovation.
The pro-startup policy agenda to power AI innovation
Policymakers need to support pro-startup policy if they want a world leading AI ecosystem made up of U.S. companies building AI, building with AI, and using AI to better everyday tasks.