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NEWS FEED
Engine elevates the startup voice on acquisitions
Building on Engine’s previous research on the role of acquisitions in the startup ecosystem, Engine today released a report examining the ways that acquisitions are a critical component of the startup ecosystem, featuring over a dozen startup founders, investors, and accelerators.
Engine releases report on Privacy Patchwork Problem
Data privacy has been top of mind for consumers, policymakers, regulators, companies, and entrepreneurs for the past several years, in the wake of broad privacy rules in the EU, and action in several U.S. states. The U.S., which has long had a sectoral approach to privacy, remains without a comprehensive privacy framework, and many states have reacted by proposing, passing, and implementing their own varying—and potentially conflicting—comprehensive privacy laws.
38 Groups From Public Interest To Industry Sign Letter Supporting Section 230 Ahead of Hearing
Washington – As the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law plans a hearing Wednesday on the law that enables online services to host user-generated content, diverse organizations from academics to industry to public interest groups sent a letter to Subcommittee leaders. The letter acknowledges that Section 230 is the legal framework that enables anyone to create spaces online where user communities can gather and share content, to the benefit of Internet users and online expression.
Engine releases Startup Policy Playbook for 2023
Startup founders are busy people. They’re running businesses, managing small teams, raising funds, and doing the actual work of building new and innovative things. It’s no wonder they’re not also constantly tracking and engaging in policymaking in D.C.
Engine releases 2023 Startup Agenda
Engine's Startup Policy Agenda for 2023 highlights the voices of those startup companies, investors, and support organizations as they discuss in their own words the obstacles they face and the ways policies have helped and hurt them. We hope it serves as a high-level overview of the issues we hear about from startups every day and a jumping off point for policymakers looking to support the technology industry's small businesses.
Engine and CCIA release Tools to Compete Report
The startup ecosystem is an interdependent system of startups, support organizations, investors, service providers, and others working to support startup growth and success through the provision of guidance, capital, and other critical resources. Each of these components is critical to the success of individual startup ecosystems all across the country and the growth of the overall U.S. startup ecosystem.
Statement on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals DACA Ruling
The following statement is attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine, on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruling in State of Texas v. United States of America.
Statement
“Yesterday’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruling DACA illegal is a crushing disappointment for the thousands of DACA recipients living and working in the U.S., who provide meaningful contributions to our country, including our startup ecosystem. While existing DACA recipients currently retain their protections, it is clear Congress must act urgently to secure and extend protections for all Dreamers and send the message that they are valued, eliminating the constant threat of deportation.”
Engine Releases Policy Roadmap for Supporting Startups Everywhere
Today, Engine issued a paper focused on the policy insights needed—and the legislative actions required—to adequately support the expanse of the startup ecosystem, and to grow the innovation economy. We hope this paper can serve as a resource for policymakers considering a wide range of policy issues that impact early-stage companies across the country.
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.”
Engine Releases 2022 Startup Agenda
Heading into 2022, several technology policy debates are already underway in Washington, D.C. As always, Engine aims to be a resource in those conversations, surfacing the startup perspective and highlighting the voices of startup founders who are running small businesses, creating jobs, and building new and innovative products and services. This agenda is a high-level overview of the issues we hear about from startups every day and a jumping off point for policymakers looking to support the technology industry's small businesses.
Startups, Content Moderation, and Section 230
Debates about the intermediary liability framework provided by Section 230 have animated policy conversations as lawmakers grapple with harmful online content, including around election integrity, health information, and children’s safety. But those debates are almost exclusively focused on the largest Internet companies. Section 230, however, applies to all services of all sizes that host all types of user-generated content, including startups.
Statement on Biden's Nomination for PTO Director
“Engine congratulates Kathi Vidal on her nomination as the next Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She would have an undeniable role to play in supporting the nation’s startups and stands to make important contributions that advance diversity in innovation and ensure the patent system works for all stakeholders. It is likewise critical the PTO prevent imbalanced policies that block progress, because we have seen how recent policy decisions have contributed to rapidly increasing rates of abusive patent assertion, growing litigation costs, and a drop in patent quality. We look forward to working with Ms. Vidal toward an inclusive, diverse, and equitable patent system that prioritizes quality and allows everyone across the country to innovate and contribute.”
Statement on the Restoring the America Invents Act
“Engine is proud to support the Restoring the America Invents Act, introduced today by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and John Cornyn (R-Tex.). This bill would promote patent quality, help stem abusive patent assertion, and repair certain tools startups can and have used to challenge invalid patents. It also reflects the value of high-quality U.S. patents to promote innovation and embodies the balance needed to ensure that low-quality, invalid patents are not so easily weaponized against domestic innovators and small businesses.”
Statement on the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021
The following statement is attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine, regarding today’s introduction of the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021.
Statement:
“Engine is proud to support the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2021, a bill that would expand startup access to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s resources and services. The legislation, introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would lower barriers to entry for underrepresented founders interested in seeking high-quality patents and enhance the PTO’s presence across the country so that the government can do an even better job of meeting innovators where they are at.”
Statement on the Congressional Startup Day Resolution
The following statement is attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine, regarding today’s introduction of the resolution designating August 18, 2021 as Congressional Startup Day.
Startups & the U.S. Patent System: Prioritizing Quality and Balance to Promote Innovation
Startups & the U.S. Patent System: Prioritizing Quality and Balance to Promote Innovation
Statement on the IGNITE American Innovation Act
The following statement can be attributed to Engine’s Executive Director, Kate Tummarello: “Engine applauds Rep. Phillips for reintroducing the IGNITE American Innovation Act, which will help to provide startups with the liquidity they need to continue to see the nation through pandemic recovery and accelerate R&D efforts for America's high-tech startups and innovators.”
Statement on the International Entrepreneur Rule
“The White House’s decision to formally withdraw the previous administration’s proposed removal of the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) is a victory for foreign-born entrepreneurs looking to launch high-growth, job-creating companies in America. The IER signals to entrepreneurs across the world that our country is a place where their innovative ideas are welcome, allowing the U.S. to remain a global hub of innovation and competitiveness.”