Happy #MothersDay! Let’s support moms who are founders through policies that help them pursue their dreams, including investing in affordable, accessible child care and expanding the child tax credit. Thank you Elizabeth Tenety, Motherly for your insights.

On Friday, the US Copyright Office released its long-awaited draft report on generative AI training. While it acknowledges that fair use can apply, its heavy focus on licensing could create major roadblocks for startups.

Coming to you from the Capitol this AM, where “The Pitt” star Noah Wyle is here talking to lawmakers (including Senator Tim Kaine) about funding for programs aimed at improving mental health services for health care workers.

Wyle is leading a panel with frontline health care workers: “I've spent the bulk of my adult life playing an emergency room physician, but I am here today with the people who really do the work for a living, and to share some of the pressures and struggles that they face.”

On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee released its reconciliation bill text, which includes measures that support the startup ecosystem by helping finance innovation, expand investment opportunities, and attract talent.

This expansion would help startups to offer child care benefits, improving their ability to attract and retain employees.

The bill continues the Opportunity Zones program to help attract investment to underserved areas with the addition of “Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds” to specifically funnel investment into rural communities.

These changes can help startups make better use of their limited budgets, and boost the incentives for investors and talent alike to enter the startup ecosystem.

It’s #pride month! LGBTQ+ founders are a vital part of the startup ecosystem; here's some ways that policy impacts them. 🧵⬇️

As we celebrate Patent Quality Week, we’re highlighting insights from founders in our network about their experiences navigating the U.S. patent system. Thank you Rob Galanakis, Lithic Technology, for sharing your perspective on how patent quality impacts innovation.

As we celebrate Patent Quality Week, we’re highlighting insights from founders in our network about their experiences navigating the U.S. patent system. Thank you Andrey Klen, Petcube, for sharing your perspective on how patent quality impacts innovation.

Startups are driving innovation, but when low-quality patents slip through, the U.S. patent system can end up undermining the very innovation it was built to protect.  That’s why patent quality matters. #PQW #PatentQualityWeek #PQWLearning #startups #tech #policy #patent

A patent grants exclusive rights to an invention, which prevents competitors from trying to copy or profit off a startup’s hard work. The bottom line is that patents protect startup innovation, attract investment, and increase a startup’s value when it’s time to exit.

Last Thursday, we kicked off Patent Quality Week with a panel on Capitol Hill discussing how low quality patents can harm innovation. Thanks to Tara Hairston from Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Wayne Brough from R Street Institute, and Mike Gugat, founder of jbrds for a great conversation!

Startups face enough challenges without having to worry about being targeted by bad actors known as patent trolls or Patent Assertion Entities. One solution to this issue is litigation transparency, and that is exactly what the Litigation Transparency Act of 2025 aims to provide.

Each Congress, a bill is reintroduced that Engine has consistently opposed because it poses a serious threat to startup innovation. It’s called the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA). #PQW #PatentQualityWeek #PQWLearning #startups #tech #policy

Seeing the news of Malcolm Jamal-Warner dying feels like we collectively lost a family member. His role as Theo is deeply embedded and deeply beloved in our community. This is like a gut punch man...wow....🥺

Kerry Washington spotted filming scenes for ‘The Devil wears Prada 2’ in New York City today.