Stay up to date with
Engine’s weekly newsletter:
NEWS FEED
Startup News Digest 3/2/2018
The House this week passed a bill that would undermine platform protections that companies rely on to host user content and to police that content themselves without fear of meritless litigation.
A Call for Cross-Border Cooperation
Even as a years-long fight over government access to foreign data heads to the Supreme Court, Congress still needs to solve the problem of cross-border information requests.
#StartupsEverywhere: Des Moines, IA
Des Moines' startup ecosystem is growing thanks to the state's favorable business climate and the legacy of the city's core industries. However, it still faces many challenges regarding capital access, talent, and a cultural aversion to entrepreneurial risk-taking.
Startup News Digest 2/23/18
Congress is preparing to vote next week on proposals ostensibly aimed at fighting sex trafficking online, but one approach could hurt startups and actually make it harder for good actors to fight sex trafficking on their platforms.
Engine's Statement on House Rules Committee Consideration of H.R. 1865
Engine's statement following the announcement from the House Committee on Rules to consider H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) on Monday, February 26th and the proposed amendment by Rep. Walters to include language from the Senate’s Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA)
Startup News Digest 2/16/2018
Infrastructure was the buzzword of the week, which kicked off with the Trump administration unveiling its infrastructure plan.
Guest Post: Loss of Net Neutrality Puts Innovation at Risk in Hawaii
The world of innovation is at an exciting point in time, unrivaled by anything we’ve ever seen before. The cost of launching a startup has never been cheaper and the process has never been more efficient. This is largely due to reduced business costs (e.g. server fees) resulting from advancements in technology services and internet access. What once cost a startup hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in capital expenditures just to get to the starting line is now accessible to almost anyone for much, much less. With the Internet, the distance between business and consumer has also shortened drastically; marketing directly to your customer demographic across the world is now possible. Additionally, information in the form of advice, mentoring, and best practices is now abundant and accessible. What was once restricted to Ivy League schools or knowledge bases such as New York and San Francisco is now available for free online.
#StartupsEverywhere: David Bradbury (Burlington, VT)
For our thirty-third #StartupsEverywhere feature we chatted with David Bradbury, the President of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) in Burlington, VT.
Panel Round-Up: Design Patents and Defining the Article of Manufacture
The panel discussion, “Design Patents and Defining the Article of Manufacture – One Year Later,” was moderated by Julie Samuels, President of the Board at Engine Advocacy and Executive Director at Tech:NYC. The expert panel also featured Charles Duan, Senior Fellow and Associate Director of Tech and Innovation Policy at R Street Institute; G. Nagesh Rao, a 2016 USA Eisenhower Fellow and former Patent Examiner and Senior Policy Advisor at the USPTO; and Matthew Levy, former Patent Counsel at the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).
Startup News Digest 2/9/2018
This week a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of lawmakers unveiled a bill that could make it easier for Internet companies to comply with varying, and often conflicting, international rules over government requests for user data. The bill—the Clarifying Overseas Use of Data, or CLOUD, Act—is aimed at boosting international cooperation and helping the U.S. government enter into bilateral agreements governing cross-border requests for data.
#StartupsEverywhere: Mike Freeman (Fort Collins, CO)
For our thirty-second #StartupsEverywhere feature we talked with Mike Freeman, the CEO of Innosphere in Fort Collins, CO.
Startup News Digest 2/2/2018
The week started off with reports that the Trump administration was considering a plan to have the government take over the build out of the nation’s next-generation wireless broadband networks.
#StartupsEverywhere: Jordan Davis (Columbus, OH)
For our thirty-first #StartupsEverywhere feature we talked with Jordan Davis, the Director of Smart Columbus.
Engine Statement on Reports of 5G Nationalization Proposal
"Engine joins Chairman Greg Walden, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the other members of the FCC in warning against the Trump administration’s reported discussions of nationalizing the developing 5G wireless networks.
Startup News Digest 1/26/2018
The startup voice calling for strong net neutrality protections is louder than ever, as our new startup map—featuring stories from startups who depend on net neutrality protections—shows.
#StartupsEverywhere: Carl Erickson and Jennifer Wolbers (Grand Rapids, MI)
For our thirtieth #StartupsEverywhere feature we talked with Carl Erickson, the CEO of Atomic Object, and Jennifer Wolbers, the Owner of Smart Blue.
Startup News Digest 1/19/2018
The Senate passed a bill on Thursday that renews a controversial online government surveillance power. With a vote of 65-34, the bill is now headed to President Donald Trump’s desk.
Reflecting on Diversity in Tech on MLK Day
Today, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most ardent advocates for the advancement and equality of African Americans in history, we should reflect on the continuing injustice in our socioeconomic system and contemplate how we can more effectively work to close the racial entrepreneurship gap.
Startup News Digest 1/12/2018
The House voted 256-164 this week to approve a bill that expands and extends online spying under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The bill, which already has formal support from the White House and is now headed to the Senate, continues surveillance program that could harm U.S. companies' reputation abroad, which will disproportionately affect startups that rely on streamlined international agreements for legally processing and storing foreigners’ data.
Engine Statement on Senate Measure to Oppose Net Neutrality Repeal
"Engine is thrilled to see the swell of support behind Sen. Ed Markey’s measure that formally opposes the Federal Communications Commission’s vote late last year to repeal the agency’s 2015 net neutrality rules.