After years of frenzied investments and soaring company valuations, venture capital investment levels are readjusting as businesses assess the current economic landscape. Now, VCs are left navigating persistent inflation, slowing growth, and rising geopolitical tensions. In this episode, we explore how to navigate these issues and the critical messages policymakers need to know now more than ever.  NVCA research director Shiloh Tillemann-Dick talks about the top things founders need to know about the market in 2023 and dives into the data from the recently released Q4 2022 PitchBook-NVCA ..read more

The 2022 midterm elections didn’t go in the direction many people predicted, and VCs are wondering what the results mean for the startup ecosystem. We talk with an industry leader about her perspective on the election results and NVCA gives its perspective on what new opportunities may arise in the upcoming Congress for VCs. NVCA’s Justin Field shares priority issues the new Congress will likely focus on, how the 2024 presidential election will influence legislation, and how agencies will implement recently passed bills such as the CHIPS and Science Act that will enhance the venture industry ..read more

Healthcare innovations are improving health outcomes in the United States, and the venture capital industry is leading the way through investment in groundbreaking medical technology. In this episode, we explore what startups need to know about breaking into the healthcare space, navigating government regulations and policies, and developing new systems that do no harm. Vineeta Agarwala, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, shares how startups can navigate the challenges in creating better health outcomes, if regulations are a help or a hindrance, and how Washington policymakers can be a b ..read more

Cryptocurrency is everywhere, but policymakers and venture capitalists are still debating regulations and bad actors in the space. In this episode, we explore how the venture industry is investing and impacting crypto, how the space should be regulated, and how VCs can use crypto to solve big problems in the economy.  Alka Gupta, Venture Partner at Fin Capital, shares blockchain’s biggest success stories, highlights the issues in our economy that crypto can solve, and advises policymakers on how to form the right regulation around crypto.    Joshua Rivera, General Counsel at B ..read more

Between inflation and burnout, the labor crisis has businesses struggling to teach the proper skills, provide adequate resources, and fill open positions. In this episode, we explore how the startup ecosystem is changing education and workforce development and highlights the policies that should be in place to boost VC investment in this evolving sector.  NVCA’s Senior VP of Government Affairs Justin Field shares the most significant factors that shape our education and workforce systems and how startups are using these factors to expand the labor force through workforce preparation.&nbs ..read more

Underrepresented communities and emerging ecosystems are vital to the venture world, but often struggle to unlock significant capital. In this episode, we explore how a recently reinstated federal program called the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)  gives these groups  greater access to significant capital for VC investment. Think and Do Tank Heartland Forward’s President and CEO Ross Devol gives us a view into the challenges entrepreneurs face in Heartland states and shares how Heartland Forward is dedicated to improving economic performances in America’s Heartland.&nb ..read more

The United States military has been the archetype for innovation and power around the world. Over the last two decades, faults within the system have become alarming evident. And the venture industry has the solution. In this episode, we will examine the force and ingenuity behind VCs and how they can disrupt the archaic processes behind our country’s defense framework. We hear from experts how VC-backed startups can form better partnerships with the Pentagon to yield a safer, more competitive America for all.   Ted Schlein, General Partner at Ballistic Ventures and Kleiner Perkins, shar ..read more

The climate crisis is desperate to be solved. America’s startup ecosystem is at the frontline of the solution. In this episode, we explore how startups are advancing breakthroughs in climate technology, making cities greener, and we establish where policy stands on VC investment and climate solutions. NVCA’s Manager of Government Affairs Jonas Murphy gives an update on past, current, and future federal policy that addresses investment in climate startups and how VCs can advocate for the right policy to solve the climate crisis.  Founder and CEO of BlocPower Donnel Baird grew up in a poo ..read more

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is coming down hard on private markets, proposing new regulations that would make life difficult for startups and their investors. In this episode, we explore why the SEC is going after private funds, and what the consequences could be on the VC industry.  Congressman French Hill  (R-AR) explains how the SEC’s new proposal disrupts the balance between public and private companies. He helps us understand what the job of the SEC is, and what are alternative ways they could move forward to address the private market concerns they have.  ..read more

Current immigration policies in the U.S. are making it almost impossible for foreign entrepreneurs to come to the U.S., start new companies, and create American jobs. In this episode, we explore how immigration affects the entrepreneurial ecosystem and why a startup visa is critical for global competition.  Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren answers the big question: why can’t we establish an immigration avenue for entrepreneurs from around the world? She shares where immigration legislation currently stands, including the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act, and what obstacles this le ..read more