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NEWS FEED
Startup News Digest: 5/20/2016
Our weekly take on some of the biggest stories in startup and tech policy. In the wake of the Apple-FBI dispute, lawmakers have made encryption a top policy priority. Several Congressional working groups have now been established to determine the best approach to address regulation of encryption technologies, but very little of the public debate focuses on the detrimental impact any new rules could have on startups.
An Opportunity to Fix Crowdfunding Before It Falters
On May 16, 2016, regulation crowdfunding will go into effect, meaning for the first time ever,anyone can invest in a startup through an online platform. This is big. Until Congress passed the JOBS Act in 2012, buying an equity stake in a company required being fairly wealthy or having a pre-existing relationship with the entrepreneurs raising capital. But the Internet has dramatically changed the way entrepreneurs share their ideas and connect with potential investors. With the JOBS Act, the law finally caught up as well – or it almost did.
Startup News Digest: 5/13/2016
Our weekly take on some of the biggest stories in startup and tech policy. This week: Uber and Lyft leave Austin, a crowdfunding op-ed by Engine's Anna Duning, Oracle and Google are back in court, a copyright roundtable in SF, and more.
Calling All Accelerators: SBA Launches Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Do you run a growth accelerator, incubator, co-working space, shared maker-space, or other entrepreneurial ecosystem organization? If so, you might be eligible to compete for a $50,000 prize from the government. Last week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) launched its Growth Accelerator Fund Competition for the third year in a row. Each year, the agency awards $50,000 prizes to selected organizations to help cover part of their operating budgets.
Startup News Digest: 5/6/2016
Our weekly take on some of the biggest stories in startup and tech policy. This week: White House exploring AI, new drone rules for students, Ellen Pao's new diversity group, more trouble for Uber, and more
Why Startups Need More Unlicensed Spectrum, and How They Can Get It
Startups across the country are building the next generation of Internet applications, connected devices, and innovative services—all of which rely on access to unlicensed spectrum. This week, Engine joined a diverse coalition of 23 organizations and companies in urging President Barack Obama to ensure that enough unlicensed spectrum is made available to meet growing demand.
Startup News Digest: 4/29/2016
Our weekly take on some of the biggest stories in startup and tech policy. This week: House passes ECPA Reform bill and HALOS Act, Engine comments on FCC set-top box proposal, special access reform update, and more.
Engine Statement on House Passage of the HALOS Act
Engine applauds the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act. The bill, which was approved by a wide margin of 325-89, would clarify regulatory ambiguities around general solicitation, making it easier for startups to publicly showcase their ideas without unintentionally running afoul of securities laws.
Engine Statement on House Passage of Email Privacy Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the widely supported, broadly bipartisan Email Privacy Act by a unanimous vote of 419-0. The bill would make long overdue updates to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) to bring our digital privacy laws into the 21st century. Specifically, the bill would clarify that law enforcement must obtain a warrant—except in certain clearly defined emergencies—before accessing individuals’ electronic communications.
An Outdated Law Shouldn't Limit Demo Days
The pitch competition has practically become a standard rite of passage for startups, especially early-stage firms seeking investment. Yet, many pitch events may violate decades-old securities law. Congress is now considering legislation to fix this: The HALOS Act. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), this legislation clarifies the rules around pitch competitions, making it easier for startups to pitch their business plans and find potential investors.
Startup News Digest: 4/22/2016
Our weekly take on some of the biggest stories in startup and tech policy. This week: House committee holds hearing on encryption, Uber settles class-action suits in CA and MA, TaskRabbit commits to inclusion, and more.
One Way Stock Options Are Hurting Businesses – And How to Fix It
Among the many challenges entrepreneurs face in launching and scaling a startup, recruiting talented employees is one of the most difficult. There’s already a shortage of tech workers in this country (there are currently more than 600,000 open computing jobs nationwide, and last year, only 43,000 students graduated with computer science degrees), and it’s even more dire for startups that must compete with some of the most successful companies in the world to recruit these employees.
The Fight Against Stupid Patents
Over the past five years, those of us who support patent reform have had some important victories that are slowly helping to fix some of the worst problems with our broken system. Those important gains are under attack right now.
Engine Statement on the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act
Today, the House of Representatives voted 241-173 to pass the “No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access.” Earlier this week, Engine joined a letter from a coalition of 49 organizations opposing the legislation.
Startup News Digest: 4/15/2016
Our weekly take on some of the biggest stories in startup and tech policy. This week: House committee approves Email Privacy Act, Senators Burr and Feinstein introduce a dangerous encryption bill, H-1B applications hit a new record, and more.
Four Years of the JOBS Act: Examining Its Impact and Looking Forward
April 5, 2016 marked the four year anniversary of the enactment of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. While the statute is still relatively young, we have already begun to see the positive impacts that its provisions have had on startups’ ability to raise capital. It has made going public easier and created new pathways for startups to raise money through Regulation A+ and general solicitation under Regulation D. And with regulation crowdfunding set to finally go live in May, we are hopeful that a vibrant non-accredited investor crowdfunding market will emerge in the near future.
The Tech Community Is Mobilizing Against the Burr-Feinstein Encryption Bill
It is hard to overstate how incredibly dangerous and foolish the Burr-Feinstein “Compliance with Court Orders Act of 2016” draft legislation is and even harder to believe it was coauthored by California’s senior senator, Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.
Engine Statement on House Judiciary Committee Approval of ECPA Reform Bill
Engine applauds the House Judiciary Committee’s action today to approve the Email Privacy Act, which makes much needed reforms to the outdated Electronic Communications and Privacy Act (ECPA) by explicitly requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing digital communications.
Engine Joins Letter Opposing House Rate Regulation Bill
In the year since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved its historic Open Internet Order, net neutrality has faced countless attacks in both the courts and Congress. Once again, the Order and the FCC’s broader authority have come under fire. H.R. 2666, the “No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act,” threatens the FCC’s ability to fulfill its congressionally-mandated responsibilities and represents yet another attempt by anti-net neutrality lawmakers to undermine an open Internet.
Momentum in Miami: Lessons from an Emerging Startup Ecosystem
Across the country and far beyond Silicon Valley, new centers of startup activity are on the rise. Among them, Miami, Florida is one of the more exciting and dynamic cities emerging as a hub for startups. Not only are more entrepreneurs calling Miami home, but a real ecosystem is forming, complete with a new co-working and events space in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood district, investor groups with a renewed commitment to South Florida entrepreneurs, and a slew of meet-ups, conferences, and hackathons attracting students, programmers, entrepreneurs, and investors eager to be part of this transformation.