How determining user age impacts startups
42 startups and support organizations sign letter supporting strong digital trade policy
A coalition of 42 U.S. startups, investors, and startup support organizations across 18 states sent a letter urging U.S. trade policymakers to support the growth and competitiveness of the startup ecosystem through smart digital trade policy. The letter calls on policymakers to support policies enabling cross-border data flows, making permanent the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions, and providing resources to help startups compete abroad.
Engine releases Startup Policy Playbook for 2024
Engine released the 2024 Startup Policy Playbook, to help give members of the startup ecosystem—startup founders and 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.
Engine submitted an amicus brief to SCOTUS in Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton
Statement on Gonzalez v. Google
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
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.”
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.
Statement on the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act
The following statement is attributed to Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine, regarding today’s introduction of the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act:
Statement:
“Engine is proud to support the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment Act that would establish a startup visa program so that foreign-born entrepreneurs can launch and grow their startups in the U.S. and spur job creation. The legislation, led by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), would help the nation maintain its status as a global hub of innovation by encouraging the formation of dynamic new companies and injecting new entrepreneurial talent into the startup ecosystem.”
Background:
The LIKE Act would create a new category of startup visas, providing foreign-born entrepreneurs who meet certain requirements with the protections needed to launch and grow their companies in the U.S., including a pathway to permanent residence. The legislation would also establish a nonimmigrant visa for certain essential employees of foreign-born founders in the U.S. on a startup visa. Foreign-born workers make valuable contributions to the U.S. economy by launching companies and creating new jobs, but restrictive immigration policies too often force startup founders to look elsewhere when launching their ventures. Currently, there is no visa category specifically set aside for foreign-born entrepreneurs who want to establish companies in the U.S. Legislation such as the LIKE Act will allow the U.S. to continue attracting and retaining the talent needed to compete globally by welcoming immigrant entrepreneurs to our shores.
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.”
Engine Releases Report On the State of the Startup Ecosystem
Today, Engine, along with the Charles Koch Institute and Startup Genome, issued a report looking at the overall health of the startup ecosystem. We hope this report can serve as a resource for policymakers considering a wide range of policy issues that impact early-stage companies across the country.
