Engine released the 2025 Startup Policy Playbook to give members of the startup ecosystem—founders, employees, investors, and support organizations—an overview of the policy conversations happening this year and how they can get involved in amplifying the startup voice. There’s lots to do, and lots to do better, and this playbook highlights why shaping innovation-friendly policies matters to startups.
There are startups in every state and congressional district across the country working with limited time and resources. Policy changes regarding everything from access to capital, to immigration, to trade (and everything in between) can radically shift the way startups make decisions about what products and services to offer, when and where to launch, and how they plan to grow. Their perspective should be—and is—incredibly important as policymakers consider technology, Internet, and entrepreneurship policy.
Take, for instance, the efforts currently underway to revise the tax code. Changes in tax policy can help encourage people to invest in and work at early stage companies, as well as help offset the expensive but important research and development work that leads to breakthrough innovation. Congress, agencies, and the courts will touch on many other issues that impact startups over the next year. Through capital formation and workforce policy, policymakers help determine who can invest in and join the startup ecosystem. Telecommunications and trade policy determine how easily startups can reach their users across the country and around the globe. Meanwhile, balanced intellectual property and intermediary liability frameworks help startups avoid ruinous and bad faith litigation. Uniform, bright line rules around things like data privacy and AI help startups know how to build their products.
Engine’s Startup Policy Playbook covers the main policy areas impacting the startup ecosystem—artificial intelligence, capital access, connectivity, platform issues, patents, privacy, talent, tax, and trade—and acts as a guide on the policymaking process, providing ways for startups to get involved. Email advocacy@engine.is if you’re interested in learning more and making your voice heard in D.C.
Read our playbook here.
