×

Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2005-2024; Paul O'Brien - STARTUP ECONOMIST - All Rights Reserved

Subscribe via Substack

Founders and Policymakers Need Us at the Table— Before They Decide the Future for Us

Monday, 21 April 2025 by
With my work increasingly entrenched in Washington, D.C., state capitols, and the public policy battles shaping entrepreneurship and venture capital, I’ve found myself staring down a familiar name in tech: Google. Again. For many of us, the latest antitrust accusations is déjà vu, about privacy, about data, and control – whether it’s Apple, Microsoft, X,
Read more
3 Comments

The Startup Scorecard: How Governments Can Unlock Trillions in Innovation and Economic Growth

Tuesday, 04 February 2025 by
Nations that adopted startup-friendly policies mid-1990s or early 00s, and consistently implemented effective measures, are now reaping the rewards; seamlessly transitioning into digital economies and enjoying long-term benefits. Conversely, those that dragged their feet on economic development of startup ecosystems are now grappling with how (and in my experience, for the most part, are failing,
Read more
8 Comments

The Government is Being Run Like a Startup — And Maybe it Should Be

Friday, 31 January 2025 by
For decades, we’ve spent an obscene amount of time arguing about whether the U.S. Constitution is a living document or set in stone. Whether the Amendments should be revisited, rewritten, or left alone. Whether the rules written by men in powdered wigs should still govern a nation where you can generate artificial intelligence in your
Read more
30 Comments

Trump’s First Few Days for Independents

Thursday, 23 January 2025 by
In the world of entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems, where disruption, innovation, and venture capital reign supreme, keeping an eye on public policy isn’t just smart — it’s essential. Government actions shape the macroeconomic environment, influence capital flows, and define the rules of the game for the next generation of innovators. With a new administration in
Read more
48 Comments

The Challenges of Regulating AI in a Borderless Digital World

Friday, 03 January 2025 by
Regulating artificial intelligence (AI) presents unique and profound challenges. AI systems operate across borders, leveraging global datasets, and are influenced by the rapidly evolving nature of machine learning technologies. Governments attempting to impose regulatory frameworks on AI face the dual difficulty of understanding and anticipating the implications of these complex systems while contending with the
Read more
  • Published in AI
1 Comment

Why Most Countries Fail at Tech Startups (How to Fix That)

Friday, 20 December 2024 by
Wrapping up 2024 and on our way into a fresh start, whether you celebrate the holidays or ring in the new year, something most of us will experience in the next few weeks is a shift in the culture we typically experience. People are warmer, perhaps more social, and in the spirit of giving gifts
Read more
34 Comments

10 Policies Proven to Turn Cities into Startup Powerhouses

Thursday, 07 November 2024 by
Cities play a critical role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. With startups and small businesses the key drivers of economic growth, it has become essential for municipal leaders and policymakers to create environments where entrepreneurial talent can flourish. Let’s look at ten proven strategies that cities can implement to empower entrepreneurs, cultivate a thriving startup
Read more
7 Comments
TOP