Startups need competition agenda that supports innovation
Fertility is a critical concern for both humans and the animals we share our world with. Whether addressing the rising rates of human infertility, finding ways to feed the global population more efficiently, or working to save endangered species, Dr. Cara Wells is tackling it all. Through her company, EMGenisys, Dr. Wells is advancing the science of embryonics for the 21st century. We sat down with her to discuss her product, patents, and access to capital.
Engine Statement regarding Small Business Investment Act of 2025
With a background in economic development and a startup itch, Lauren McCullough co-founded Tromml, helping the automotive industry understand sales dates. We sat down with her to discuss her company, the role of open source in AI, navigating intellectual property rights, and more.
Founded in 2022, Flamel.ai helps multi-location and franchise brands stay true to their brand guide while delivering content at scale. With a background in venture capital, co-founder Paul Ehlinger is a seasoned expert on issues facing startups today. We sat with Paul to discuss AI, open source, and more.
This report examines several recent developments in the policy debate over encryption, including the debate over building backdoors to encrypted content for law enforcement, as well as reports about law enforcement’s current capabilities and impediments to accessing data in criminal investigations, and growing concerns on how encryption may affect efforts to combat the spread of child exploitation material on the Internet.
TLDR: As countries continue to debate whether or not to levy digital services taxes on tech companies, several states are considering implementing their own digital tax measures. While the currently proposed state-level bills are unlikely to receive much traction, they demonstrate a growing willingness on the part of state representatives to levy their own taxes against online companies of all sizes.
Braid Theory, a strategic advisory firm for entrepreneurs, is proving collaboration works by helping startups enter the marketplace and gain access to their customers. Based in San Pedro, the globally-focused firm is helping to establish an entrepreneurial ecosystem close to the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. We recently spoke with Ann Carpenter, the CEO of Braid Theory, to learn more about the firm’s work supporting startups and entrepreneurs.
TLDR: The Department of Justice is continuing its push for tech companies to undermine their users’ security by building in intentional vulnerabilities. In the latest spat between Apple, Attorney General William Barr is claiming that the company is not helping officials unlock two iPhones belonging to the shooter in last month’s deadly shooting at a Florida naval air base, despite the fact that the older model devices can likely be accessed and Apple has already turned over the relevant data in its possession.
The Big Story: USMCA, China trade deals move forward. The Trump administration and Congress made significant progress this week on two critical trade deals, with President Donald Trump signing a phase one trade deal with China and the Senate passing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
TLDR: Later this year, the Supreme Court will weigh in on a long-standing copyright dispute between Oracle and Google over the permissible use of application programming interfaces, or APIs. APIs are software interfaces that startups rely on to promote interoperability and reduce costs. If they were eligible for copyright protection, then companies that own the API copyrights would be able to prevent others from using those APIs without paying for a license. This week Engine filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, arguing that APIs should not be eligible for copyright protection, and in particular that extending copyright protections to APIs is an attempt to evade patent law in a way that would unduly harm startups and entrepreneurs.
Engine submitted comments to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week in response to the agency’s request for public comment on “the impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies on intellectual property law and policy.”
The Big Story: France’s digital services tax could harm startups. U.S. tech companies told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) this week that they support retaliatory tariffs in response to France’s new digital services tax that would impose a three percent tax on online platforms with a global revenue of over 750 million euros and 25 million euros in France. The Trump administration has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on certain French imports, such as champagne and cheese, in response to the tax.
KegSafe, a new startup venture based in Beaumont, Texas, is using ultrasonic technology and software to help bar owners and beer distributors keep tabs on their inventories by providing up-to-the-ounce data on every single keg. We recently spoke with Mark McCoy, KegSafe’s CEO, to learn more about the startup’s work and use of technology.
Engine submitted comments this week to the United States Trade Representative addressing the potential U.S. response to France’s enactment of a Digital Services Tax. The retroactive three percent tax would be levied on certain large firms providing online intermediation services and digital advertising sales with a revenue of 750 million euros globally and 25 million euros in France.
A recent Federal Circuit decision about fee shifting is important to startups facing patent litigation and has broader relevance for confirming that attorney fee awards can be a tool for deterring abusive patent litigation. Startups facing extortive settlement demands for specious patent infringement claims can ask to have the plaintiff pay their attorney fees if they prevail in court. The availability of fees is valuable, because the cost of defending even a meritless patent lawsuit is expensive. But if plaintiffs who file those meritless cases may have to cover the costs of defense, it can help level the playing field, even before the parties find themselves in court.
A key House panel is holding a hearing tomorrow morning to examine the dangers of online misinformation, deception, and deepfakes. Lawmakers are rightfully concerned about the spread of misinformation across the Internet, but they have largely failed to offer solutions that would not stifle startups and other platforms’ ability to moderate troublesome—but otherwise legal—content.
As the year draws to a close, we wanted to highlight some of the main policy issues that have affected the startup community this year, and what we’ve done to advance the goals of the entrepreneurial community.
The past year put technology policy in the spotlight in many ways. From concerns about the spread of misinformation online, to proposals that would open up the door to a new breed of copyright and privacy trolls, technology companies of all sizes, especially startups, watched to see whether and how the Internet’s rules of the road would change in 2019.
Sacramento-based entrepreneurs may not receive as much attention as their Silicon Valley neighbors, but StartupSac—a nonprofit focused on informing, educating, empowering, and connecting founders and innovators—is working to supercharge the local startup community’s growth. We recently spoke with Laura Good, the cofounder of StartupSac, to learn more about the nonprofit’s work, the local Sacramento startup ecosystem, and what the future holds for the city’s entrepreneurial community.
The Big Story: U.S.-China trade deal touches tech. Officials from the United States and China announced last week that the two nations reached a phase-one trade compromise that will reportedly reduce a 15 percent tariff on roughly $120 billion in certain Chinese goods to 7 ½ percent. The deal would further halt additional tariffs that were slated to go into effect this month on other popular electronic goods.
Startup Tucson is building a centralized resource for entrepreneurship in Tucson, Arizona. The team at this nonprofit is arming business owners and aspiring startup founders with the tools, knowledge, and support systems they need to help their ideas thrive. We recently spoke with Liz Pocock, Startup Tucson’s CEO, about the work they do and how they’re harnessing the resources and expertise of their community.
This year, Engine focused on a number of critical policy issues impacting entrepreneurs and technology startups across the United States. Guided by the startup community’s concerns, we stood up for strong net neutrality rules, highlighted the importance of intermediary liability protections, called for a federal data privacy framework that works for both consumers and startups, and much more.
As the year draws to a close, we wanted to highlight some of the main policy issues that have affected the startup community this year, and what we’ve done to advance the goals of the entrepreneurial community.
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