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NEWS FEED
#StartupsEverywhere: Dorset, Vt.
Brooks Addington is the CEO of Tost. TOST is an all natural dry sparkling non-alcoholic beverage created to reach every occasion when the consumer is looking for a substantive beverage that is non-alcoholic, yet all natural, low calorie, and meaningful.
Startup News Digest 10/5/2018
The Big Story: NAFTA Becomes USMCA. This week, the United States, Canada, and Mexico announced the terms for an updated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and renaming the agreement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Engine Files Amicus Brief in La Park La Brea v. Airbnb
Last week, Engine filed an amicus brief in La Park La Brea v. Airbnb, a case pending before the Ninth Circuit that presents serious questions about the viability of Section 230 of the Communications Decency.
#StartupsEverywhere: Iowa City, Iowa
This week we chatted with two leaders of the Iowa City ecosystem to learn more the partnership between the University of Iowa and the Iowa City Area Development Group. While the ecosystem is strong, there’s still a need for policy changes to encourage additional entrepreneurship.
Startup News Digest 9/28/2018
The Big Story: Lawmakers mull privacy rules. Facing privacy regulations from abroad and from individual states, lawmakers are getting serious about putting in place federal rules to protect Internet users’ privacy.
#StartupsEverywhere: Minneapolis, Minn.
This week, we met with Sue Marshall who has helped to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Minnesota, including her own company NetZro. Leaning on the traditional industry of food processing, Sue created a company to decrease food waste. Sue wishes for more policies creating low-cost and free space for research to be done by startups.
Startup News Digest 9/21/2018
The Big Story: Privacy Looms Large in Washington.
This week, the European Parliament approved sweeping changes to its copyright regime, including Article 13, which would effectively require all websites hosting user generated content to adopt expensive and ineffective content filters. The proposal also creates a new IP right for publishers that requires websites to pay publishers if the website creates a link to the publisher’s content.
#StartupsEverywhere: Los Angeles, Calif.
To celebrate and support latino entrepreneurs, we met with Robbie Cabral, founder and CEO of BenjiLock. Latino entrepreneurs face challenges such as inadequate access to capital; in fact, only 12% of Latino firms employing more than one person received bank loans, compared to 18% of white-owned firms, 15% of Asian-owned firms, and 14% of Black-owned firms. Despite these challenges, Robbie is thankful for the mentorship and guidance received from SBA’s SCORE programs. He hopes that policymakers can focus on creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs from every walk of life.
Startup News Digest 9/14/2018
The Big Story: Europe passes online filtering rules.
This week, the European Parliament approved sweeping changes to its copyright regime, including Article 13, which would effectively require all websites hosting user generated content to adopt expensive and ineffective content filters. The proposal also creates a new IP right for publishers that requires websites to pay publishers if the website creates a link to the publisher’s content.
#StartupsEverywhere: Boston, Mass.
Fady Saad is the co-founder and director of Partnerships at MassRobotics, innovation hub and startup cluster focused on the needs of the robotics community. As leader in New England and the U.S., MassRobotics has attracted attention from policymakers, locally, nationally and even internationally - including receiving over two million dollars from the state government.
Letter from Online Creator Platforms on Article 13
Current legal frameworks have allowed us to build creative online communities that have enabled musicians, writers, artists, developers, designers, and filmmakers throughout Europe to access a global online market. We are concerned that proposed changes to the European Copyright Directive, specifically Article 13, will threaten the existence of these vibrant online communities.
Startup News Digest 9/7/2018
The Big Story: Congress tackles content moderation. In doubleheader hearings this week, lawmakers grappled with how Internet companies can and should moderate user-generated content on their platforms.
#StartupsEverywhere: Washington, D.C.
Amelia Friedman and her team at Hatch Apps empower people around the world to create their own mobile apps. By leaning on a strong tech community in Washington, D.C., Hatch Apps has quickly grown. As an international company, legislation like GDPR has changed the way they do business and deal with data.
Startup News Digest 9/4/2018
As the voice of startups to government, Engine proudly assisted in organizing this year’s Startup Week Across America. Officially held August 20-24, more than 50 House members met with startups in their communities to learn more about the issues that matter most their businesses.
Report: Nuts & Bolts of Encryption
An ebook for policymakers on the past, present, and future of encryption technology.
Primer: Intermediary Liability
A primer on Section 230 and why intermediary liability matters to startups.
Engine Files in Net Neutrality Repeal Challenge
This week, Engine joined the chorus of voices challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s 2017 decision to repeal its 2015 net neutrality rules, which were critical to U.S. startups.
#StartupsEverywhere: Long Island, N.Y.
Long Island is famous for beaches, bagels and vineyards, but it also has a budding innovation ecosystem. Just outside of New York City, Long Island, Suffolk County in particular is growing into an entrepreneurial powerhouse. Phil Rugile, Director of LaunchPad Huntington, recognized the need for a space to attract talent, host events and build community; he then founded LaunchPad.
Startup News Digest 8/24/2018
The Big Story: California advances net neutrality. A key committee of California lawmakers approved a strong net neutrality bill this week, setting it up for a vote by the full Assembly next week.