NGOs & Foreign Aid Cause More Problems

As a member of a family that operates our own business, the comments in Poverty Inc. are extremely concerning, specifically in relation to how NGOs hurt local businesses. We want to immediately provide aid, but the long term effects leave the local people constantly needing additional support. Unless future programs have a plan for implementation, as well as an exit strategy, then it seems as if the system will continue to be broken. Below are five points made by the article:

1) Poor Coordination
2) Exacerbating Existing Problems
3) Internal Brain Drain
4) Damage to Accountability and Trust
5) Corruption

http://theconversation.com/five-ways-foreign-aid-and-ngos-can-make-things-worse-when-disaster-strikes-50486

“Cash Me Ousside …”

Have internet sensations become the newest breed of entrepreneurs? The answer to this question will ultimately depend on how you define the term, but regardless, you can’t deny the the existence of internet stars who have transitioned from their 15 minutes of fame into profitability. It’s true. Many have capitalized on their popularity after a Youtube video went “viral” or they became the beloved (or hated) subject of a trendy meme.

Consider “Salt Bae”, or Nusret Gökçe, an admittedly chill looking Chef whose sexy knife work and ability to sprinkle salt proportionately using an unnecessarily flashy yet captivating technique brought him to the forefront of the internet. The guy is a showman. Despite his humble Turkish beginnings, Gökçe has now achieved worldwide internet fame (millions have watched his Instagram video) with a flick of the wrist.

In an interview with NBC News, Gökçe insists his life has not undergone dramatic change, as he still goes to work in the morning and works late, but a cursory glance at his Instagram account paints a different picture. For one, the dude is now verified, boasting that coveted blue check. Second, a recent post of his captures him delicately seasoning a dish for none other than Leonardo Dicaprio, who is still sporting those awful driver caps. The look in Leo’s eyes is ravenous.

Need another example? Take Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli, known more widely as the “cash me ousside, howbow dah” girl. Yeah, the one from the meme. Bregoli quickly rose to internet fame after going toe-to-toe with Dr. Phil on his show and almost stepping outside with them “hoes” in the audience who were laughing at her. Regardless of your stance on this generation’s treatment of old people, you got to admit the attitude she gives Dr. Phil is kinda dope.

It’s unlikely today’s user of social media could peruse the inter-webs for more than a few minutes before encountering this 13-year old drama queen. And what has she done with this internet fame (other than reportedly stealing the car of a Dr. Phil staff member)? Bergoli is transitioning into a business woman, of course.

That’s right. In conjunction with marketing and apparel company Pizzaslime, Bergoli is now selling her official licensed merchandise, which puts the spotlight on her renown face and infamous line “HOW BOW DAH?”.

That brings us back to the original question: are internet stars really a breed of entrepreneur?

If entrepreneurs are nothing more than commercial actors who capitalize on opportunity, then perhaps yes. But if you define entrepreneurs as more than that, say, those who recognize a recognize and fulfill a need, or those who seek to act as impetus for change, than perhaps not. I hate to admit it, but I don’t actually NEED a “HOW BOW DAH” shirt, or an expertly seasoned.

It may be worth considering whether the internet stardom was achieved through sheer dumb luck, as is arguably the case with both Bergoli and Gökçe, or through more calculated, deliberate action. One might look at Casey Neistat, who’s Youtube videos receive millions and millions of views. Neistat took a daily vlog (video blog) and parlayed it into a massive deal with fake news distributor CNN. Neistat’s journey to internet fame is notably more deliberate than other internet stars.

Is Casey Neistat an entrepreneur? Probably. Either way, he turned popular Youtube videos into having way more money than me. Bergoli presents a more complicated question. My gut instinct is to say no, but the fact is that she’s transitioned from cashing people ousside to cashing in(sside?) on a business opportunity. How bow dah?

Sources:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/meet-salt-bae-turkish-chef-whose-signature-move-made-him-n716406

http://www.avclub.com/article/lets-critically-examine-cash-me-ousside-girls-bran-249770?utm_content=Main&utm_campaign=SF&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing

Decoding India’s first IPR Policy – What’s in it for Entrepreneurs

This was an interesting article:

https://taxmantra.com/decoding-indias-first-ipr-policy-whats-in-it-for-entrepreneurs/

Decoding India’s first IPR Policy – What’s in it for Entrepreneurs

By Ashrujit Basu

“Piracy begins where creativity ends.”  Kalyan C. KankanalaIP LAWYER AND WRITTER OF BEST SELLING IP THRILLERS

Since the midnight’s children to be the witness of Globalization, Indians have experienced a lot since India’s inception as a sovereign, socialist and Democratic Country.

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India has entered into Globalized Era many decades ago and India’s Intellectual Property Law is already complying with WIPO ( WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION ) and TRIPS (  The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ). This is an international agreement administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that sets down minimum standards for many forms of intellectual property (IP) regulation as applied to nationals of other WTO Members. However, being a superpower, India was lacking in proper implementation of it’s IP Policy for strengthening its position as destination of Business and Trade Investment.

When current Modi Government came into power in the year of 2014, since then PM Narendra Modi trying to establish a mechanism for “Easing Doing Business in India “. He has also launched pilot MISSIONS Like #MAKEININDIA, #SKILLINDIA #DIGITALINDIA and last but not the least #STARTUPINDIA_STANDUPINDIA.

However, these Missions will only become effective when there’s an effective and implemented Intellectual Property Law. In order to address the need, Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion introduced the final draft of India’s national intellectual property policy. This draft was for inter-ministerial consultation would had been sent to the Cabinet for approval after receiving comments nearly a year ago.

Then finally, on 13th may, 2016 India’s First Intellectual Property Policy (IP POLICY) was unveiled to the public at large, making a promise of “Creative India, Innovative India”.

Highlighted Areas of IP Law that has been covered by the Policy:

In regard to Copyright:

 

( i ) The administration of the Copyright Act 1957 along with the office of the Registrar of Copyrights, under the Department of Higher Education, is being transferred to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

( ii ) Amendment of Indian Cinematographic Act, 1952 for making it more unfriendly with Piracy .

( iii ) Introduction of Copyright Search Service, with a Database of registered copyrighted material.

( iv ) Expediting Copyright services

( v )  Take urgent measures for effective management and administration of copyright societies to ensure transparency and efficiency in the collection and disbursement of royalties for the best interest of the right holders. Copyright Societies are those who is responsible for collecting Royalties from the various user groups on behalf of Artists.

In regard to Patent, Trademark and Design

 

( vi ) Expedite processing of  applications, that’s trademark Registration within 1 month by 2017 also addressing backlog of nearly 2 lakhs new applications.

( vii )  ‘Tatkal (instant)’ option offered under the latest amended patent Rules. These benefits will also be available to entities that file their first application in India.

( viii ) Introducing online search & filling for INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS.

In Regard to other Laws

 

 ( ix ) Empowering Cinematographic Act, which have already been discussed above, other than that creating IP related interfaces for Competition Act, and reviewing other Acts and Rules for harmonizing with Intellectual Property laws.

In regard to Education

 

( x ) Introducing IP as a subject matter at school curriculum, setting up online  and offline IP training courses for building up IP awareness.

Deal for Entrepreneurs:

 

India is being considered as one of the startup hubs with cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai taking the lead. India has seen an enormous growth in regard to creating support vessels for early stage or pro-funded Startups’ growth. Many private or publicly funded missions has already been initiated to drag and drop startups in Indian subcontinent, but my personal option has always been catering the need for innovation, and building up facilities where product based startups can be nurtured and build awesome products. Encouraging Entrepreneurs’ to INVENT first, we need to give them reason for INNOVATION, that’s called incentivizing.

Incentivizing by way of giving them a monopolistic RIGHT to Produce and Market for 20 years, Tax benefits, and expedite approvals for speeding up production.

So in order to address the need, Indian Government already launched Startup India Mission and this new IPR Policy will be using as a fuel into it.

Although, Indian Patent System will still continue to prevent Evergreening of patent under existing sec 3 (d) of Indian Patent Act. Evergreening refers to a variety of legal, business and technological strategies by which producers extend their patents over products that are about to expire, in order to retain royalties from them, by either taking out new patents. Stopping Evergreening in Indian Patent landscape does affect  global Pharmaceutical Companies, but irrespective of continues pressure from US Pharmaceutical Association and other relative lobbyist, India took a major step by not vouching for EVERGREENING. However, that’s actually helping Indian Drug Manufacturers to produce generic drugs and also obtaining COMPULSORY LICENSE which is a kind of license granted after evaluating an application for revoking a Patent Rights for the common good of public at large. This is also encouraging R&D including open source based research such as Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for new inventions for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, especially those that are life threatening and those that have high incidence in India.

It’s said that getting a Patent Approval is very time consuming in India, sometimes it takes nearly 5 years of total timeline for Patent Grant that too after paying hefty prices for Statutory fees and Attorney cost. Even Mr. Narendra Modi also aware about the pain in ass for inventors and entrepreneurs, that is why he addressed the same issue during his speech at the time of unveiling STARTUP INDIA Mission, in order to address this pain point.  IPR policy will also curbing the total timeline by introducing TATKAL facility and reducing the Statutory Fees for Entrepreneurs and Inventors by amending Patent RULE, and will also provide Tax benefits for inventors and Makers.

This will surely encourage Entrepreneurs to go for patenting their state of the Art Technology.

Research and Development is a major step for pre or post Product launch, this new Policy also includes support verticals for R&D process and easy funding norms for the same.

Apart from Patent, IPR Policy also addressed other IP products like Geographic Indication and looking forward to give a diverse opportunity in terms of Marketing in wide level. A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place, e.g Mango of Malda ( W.B ) which is having its own segmented marketplaces in India and abroad. So now startups solving marketing problems in indigenous segments like Indian handicrafts now can avail benefits from this Policy framework.

Valuation for IP or Intangible assets non- liquidated yet, although many methodology is already there but no single window methodology ever provided at policy level for subtracting actual value from IP Products, previously Indian Accounting Standard definitely tried to solve this problem by introducing IAS 38 but that’s moreover for Intangible assets not exactly for Intellectual Properties. But this new policy promised to implement proper guidelines for the same. On the other hand, it’s already been declared that IP Assets can be mortgaged for raising funds. So Startups now can look for this alternative means of fund raising. This policy also empowers social entrepreneurs like craftsman, Artisans’, farmers by providing IP friendly loan and linking up Venture Capital and Angel Funds for the development and Commercialization of IP Assets.

What’s NOT in the platter:

 

  • This policy is still silent about Software Patenting Issue in India
  • Even no clear directives towards IP protection and monetization for emerging Techs like Internet of Things ( IOT ), Virtual and Augmented Reality and Gaming.
  • No promises of strengthen copyright Protection for Software neither for online marketplaces.
  • No directives towards UX and UI protection through Industrial Designs.
  • No clear prospective on prototyping laws and protecting and commercializing subsequent IPR issues while prototyping.
  • The whole 30 pages exhaustive policy document made without any supportive empirical data.

But irrespective of all its flaws; this is India’s first Intellectual Property Policy which is subject to be validated by proper ACTION.

Want to add something more to the article ? Write in comments.

Get the trademark done NOW.

With the Right Set of Policies, Start Up India Can Change India’s Business Landscape

This article brings home a lot of points about legal and economic policy as it relates to start-ups:

http://indianexpress.com/article/blogs/start-up-india-business-entrepreneurs-private-investment/

Written by Rajeev Chandrasekhar | Updated: January 16, 2016 12:19 pm

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Let’s face it, India’s economic and reform performance in 2015 has disappointed many. Despite outperforming its BRICS compatriots by being the fastest growing economy in 2015 at 7.5 per cent, its ‘bright spot’ status does not leave room for complacence in 2016. Domestic private investment saw a dip in 2015 and the recent ‘Mid-Year Economic Analysis’ confirms this.

The cause of this stall in private investment is driven by Corporate India’s complex confusion of over-expansion, debt default and risk aversion in an unfavourable investment environment, and important bills being stalled in Parliament.

Read: The billion dollar club of Indian startups: From Flipkart to Shopclues 

No economy like ours can grow without domestic private investment. Recovery is possible in 2016 if stalled private corporate investment can be restarted, to add to growth created by growth in public investment and private consumption. Start-up India will fill this vacuum as start-ups and entrepreneurs are a way to create alternate private investment models. Start-Up India can potentially be the catalyst to restart private investment flows into the economy.

As a tech entrepreneur myself, I do know a thing or two about what it takes to leave the safety of the known and venture into the uncertain world of building something from the ground up. India, today, is a hotbed for entrepreneurial activity because of the abundance of new ideas and the opportunities that these offer.

An example of an unfavourable investment environment is the complex approvals process. Back when I was a telecom entrepreneur of the first cellular company in India, I remember how it took us 11 months after the award of our first licences to roll out our networks and cellular services. The need for approvals from 46 different government agencies, for instance, delayed the setting up of each base station/cell site. In the end, we had to seek over 4000 approvals – and this was just one city.

While we have come a long way since then, there is still a lot which needs to be done to improve the investment environment. The World Bank ‘Ease of Doing Business’ report, for instance, shows little change in the ‘number of procedures’ required to start a business in India. Since 2004, the number of procedures has hovered between 13 and 15 – which is inexcusable given that it takes less than half the number of procedures in developed economies. Removing unnecessary approvals simplifies the process of registering a start-up and investing in them.

In a survey conducted by LocalCircles, 14 per cent of those polled reported that registration and taxation was found to be a serious challenge in starting up. Start-up India should address this complexity and incentivise corporate spending into new ventures through fiscal interventions. Providing tax incentives when corporates invest in start-up businesses is an important step. The government’s recent announcement to waive the ‘seed-funding’ tax imposed by the Finance Act, 2013 if domestic angel investors invest in start-ups, is a positive move.

Start-Up India should include a comprehensive set of policies for the entry and exit of private investment. The implementation of the GST legislation will play an important role for start-ups and Entrepreneurs, as they can access the large Indian market as one open market without the complex requirements for inter-state trade that makes it difficult for small business.

The corporate insolvency legislation, in particular, is pivotal given the fact that a majority of start-ups fail, making capital recovery a real worry among investors. Under the current insolvency system in India, as per the World Bank report, the recovery rate for secured creditors from an insolvency proceeding stands at 25.7 cents on the dollar – compared to the 72.3 cents in OECD countries. The Bankruptcy Code proposes to have the corporate insolvency procedure resolved within a period of 180 days, with a fast track 90-day resolution process. It also makes provision for priority among creditors, giving the private investor a real chance at recovering the investment. Start-Up India needs this policy for its success.

The last decade have seen a number of new Indian corporates get created on the back of private capital. We are now presented with a similar scenario where new and disruptive technologies, along with private capital, can change the business landscape, where a few intellectuals have monopolised the country’s discourse on technology, economy and held growth hostage. Start-up India can bring thousands of entrepreneurs from across India into this discourse and drive the growth of a transformed and diversified economy and do so sustainably.

 

 

 

 

 

Entrepreneur’s Share Their View On France’s Right to Disconnect Law

Here is an article about France’s law designed to perhaps create better work-life balance and how entrepreneurs are reacting to it. With society being obsessed with phones, work can easily spill over into private moments. One question that I ponder is: does this translate into entrepreneurs being advantaged on their bottom line and business success?

 https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/entrepreneurs-share-their-view-frances-right-disconnect-law

 Entrepreneur’s Share Their View On France’s Right to Disconnect Law

6 January 2017

This week saw the introduction of France’s nationwide law that gives workers the right to unplug from their jobs once they leave the office. Known as the ‘right to disconnect’, the law has provoked much discussion. But how do entrepreneurs think that it would affect their businesses if a similar law was introduced in other locations?

French ministers voted to require all companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate a system to make sure that work emails do not infringe on days off, evenings and weekends. “The boundary between professional and personal life has become tenuous,” the country’s labour minister Myriam El Khomri said.

Unsurprisingly, not everyone would be on board if more locations adopted similar laws. “This should be a matter of personal choice and not ‘compulsory’,” David Dews, director at Speed Agency says. “I don’t think it should be a law or a company policy, either way it should be up to the individual.

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“Although there is the argument that employees are not being paid fairly for their overtime, and that they don’t stop working when they get back from home, this could be impractical. For example, for those who have greater responsibilities in managerial and director’s roles, an employee could be waiting for an important decision or feedback regarding a project while they are on holiday – if they can’t access their emails or respond, then deadlines will be missed. Additionally, if a company has a client overseas, then the time zone will be different and both are unable to reply, which could cause a firm to be less competitive. That being said, a worker’s out of hours should be respected which is why it should be a personal decision and not a law in every country.”

Particularly, Dews notes that it could have a negative impact on his business. “Clients may be left unsatisfied if they have an urgent issue that needs resolving, or if an artwork needs to be sent to the printers the next day.”

“But,” he adds, “this is up to the person who is managing the project to judge. I don’t think it should be compulsory. It’s a choice. Some thrive on being available out of hours while other don’t – it needs to be a personal decision.”

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However, Gary Lyons, founder of the Plastic Box Shop, says that he can see the benefit. “On leaving university to start my first job it seemed like a competition each night on who could send the last email to their line manager,” he says. “This was tiring, and it did not always give me the chance to completely relax on a night.”

Although, he admits that now he’s running his own business he does tend to work later in the evenings. But he adds: “I have never expected my staff to be sat answering emails every night unless we were under severe time pressures.  I would rather have staff who were fresher throughout the day and not jaded from sat looking at a computer screen all night.”

Ultimately, Lyons says, it’s all down to culture. “If someone in France goes to work for a company that has a culture of everyone sat on their laptop or PC’s every night this law will not make any difference,” he says. “However, it might stop new companies from adopting this mentality in France, which will be interesting to see.”

What will Brexit mean for London’s digital entrepreneurs?

Here is an article as to how Brexit and immigration law has and will affect entrepreneurs in London.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-institute/highlights/2015-16/london-digital-entrepreneurs

What will Brexit mean for London’s digital entrepreneurs?
Oliver Patel, Research Assistant at the European Institute, offers three reasons why the Brexit vote is worrying for London’s tech community.

Oliver Patel (UCL European Institute)
19 December 2016

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Shoreditch

On virtually every measure available, London is Europe’s startup capital. London is home to the most successful, vibrant and dynamic ecosystem of tech startups on the continent. Nesta’s European Digital City Index ranks cities based on their attractiveness to digital entrepreneurs. For two years running, London has topped the ranking by a significant margin.

Nearly 40% of Europe’s ‘unicorns’ (tech companies with a value exceeding $1bn) were founded in London, including ‘asos’ and Zoopla, as well as many other notable success stories, such as Deliveroo and TransferWise. Due to its financial prowess, London boasts a plethora of funding and investment options for entrepreneurs. In 2015, digital firms in London raised a total of $2.28bn, up 69% from 2014, and much higher than any other European city. It is fair to say that London has become a major global player in tech and entrepreneurship.

Many entrepreneurs and investors are worried that Brexit could undermine the success and progress which has been achieved in the last few years. In fact, it is difficult to think of a constituency more resolute and united in its opposition to Brexit than the startup community in London. Entrepreneurs and startup policy groups have been extremely vocal in their opposition to Brexit. Indeed, a 2016 survey by Tech London Advocates found that 87% of more than 2,450 tech professionals, entrepreneurs and investors were in favour of remaining in the EU, with only 3% wishing to leave. This finding echoes the results of similar polls as well as the dominant pre-referendum discourse within the community.

The reason for the tech community’s opposition to Brexit is not difficult to fathom: London’s startup community represents, in its everyday activities, much of what the Brexit campaigners are opposed to: it is international, open-minded, forward-thinking and embraces globalisation. Moreover, a high proportion of workers in the sector are EU nationals – around 20%, according to one source – meaning the industry has a substantial stake in maintaining close association with the EU.

As with other sectors of the British economy, the impact of Brexit on London’s startups will depend ultimately on the nature of the future relationship between the UK and the EU secured in the years to come. Whilst the shape of any future deal remains unclear for the time being – event to members of the British government – it is not difficult to identify those areas where the greatest battles will be fought between the tech industry and the Brexiteers: immigration, market access, and EU funding.

Immigration

For years, London’s entrepreneurs, many of whom do not possess UK citizenship, have been complaining about British immigration policy. In this respect they are not dissimilar to the Brexiteers. Unlike advocates of the leave campaign, however, the tech community has been pushing for liberalisation of the restrictions on migration into the UK, complaining that hiring workers from overseas is too difficult even with the freedom of movement between EU member-states. Time and time again, access to talent is highlighted as the greatest challenge facing startups.

Indeed, according to available date, the UK does have a discernible IT skills shortage. And since the demand for skilled digital jobs far outstrips the supply of skilled domestic labour, startups have understandably started to look abroad for talent. Onerous immigration procedures, especially for non-EU citizens, have hampered their ability to fill these roles and thereby undermined their capacity for expansion.

It is reasonable to assume that Brexit will have a major impact of the UK’s immigration regime. Despite Theresa May’s impressive silence on the UK’s negotiating position, there is much to suggest that an end to freedom of movement in its current form will be the UK’s top priority and will constitute something of a ‘red line’ in the forthcoming negotiations. It is unclear at this stage whether any agreement on single market access without freedom of movement will be possible, although it is potentially a moot point, given May’s unwillingness to agree to maintain free movement. Nor is it particularly clear what will be the status of EU nationals currently living in the UK after Brexit, or what the effects of Brexit on UK migration policy will be in general.

Whatever the outcome, though, it is difficult to see any way in which Brexit will make it easier for startups to hire the talent they need. Any hope that Brexit will lead to a more open migration policy for non-EU nationals are likely to be rapidly dashed. The current political climate, the perceived status of the referendum result as a protest vote against migration, and the continuing government commitment to reduce net migration all augur against any relaxing of immigration restrictions.

Market access

A vast majority of startup executives – in common with other globally oriented industries – prize their access to the EU’s single market. They see no reason why startups, selling apps, software and other such services, should limit themselves to one market; digital technologies need not be constrained by geography. Software and code, unlike many other exported goods, does not maintain a physical presence, meaning territorial limitations to their sale archaic to say the least.

Most tech entrepreneurs also have international ambitions, hoping to emulate the success of their forebears that have ‘gone global’, such as Facebook and Uber. By eliminating tariffs and significantly reducing non-tariff barriers, including mismatch of regulatory standards, the UK’s membership of the single market has done much to facilitate the growth of the domestic tech industry. Indeed, research indicates that a significant proportion of customers and suppliers of London’s tech firms are based in Europe. Post-Brexit, a range of policy organisations, such as Coadec and techUK have argued that continued membership of the single market is absolutely vital for the industry’s very survival in the UK.

If the UK does not remain in the single market (which is looking increasingly likely) the next best option would be a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, like CETA (the EU-Canada FTA). However, CETA does not fully cover the services industry; this is the key issue which London’s startups face. London’s startup ecosystem is dominated by companies in ‘fintech’ (financial-technology), media and digital advertising and marketing (i.e. services firms). Studies show that negotiating a free trade agreement covering services is much more difficult than one covering just goods. Unless the UK stays in the single market or negotiates an FTA with the EU which comprehensively covers services, trouble lies ahead for London’s startups (and also, in all probability, for the wider UK economy, which is 80% services).

The fintech sector, in which London is presently a global leader, is particularly at risk, due to the potential loss of ‘passporting’ rights. Often discussed in the context of banks, ‘passporting’ rights enable financial services firms to do business in any EU or European Economic Area (EEA) member state without being authorised and licenced by that state, so long as they are based in the EU or EEA. This enables financial services firms based in London to export services and products freely throughout Europe.

One such firm is TransferWise, the highly successful money transfer service, founded by two Estonians, which depends on ‘passporting’ rights for large chunks of its business. Removal of these rights, a real possibility if the UK left the single market, will mean firms such as TransferWise will incur significant regulatory and financial burdens. This perhaps explains why the co-founder, Taavet Hinrikus, considered moving the firm’s headquarters elsewhere in the wake of Brexit.

Simply put, Brexit could make it much harder for London-based startups to operate in the European market. Although much of this depends on the nature of future UK-EU relations, a situation in which tech startups are negatively impacted looks increasingly likely. One could argue that the UK might negotiate a whole host of FTAs with other countries which would be able to cater adequately for the globalist ambitions of British startups. However, these would not come into effect for a number of years and would have to cover services much more extensively than most FTAs currently do in order to be of any use. Such a comprehensive set of far-reaching agreements would also raise the question of why Brexit was necessary in the first place, since they would almost certainly entail allocating regulatory powers to a body above the nation-state.

Funding

One of the most obvious challenges faced by new startups is access to capital. In London, funding comes from a range of sources: venture capital firms (VCs), angel investors, accelerators and crowdfunding. The fact that London is a global financial hub is, in consequence, extremely handy for its tech entrepreneurs. Indeed, one of the reasons why London tops the European Digital City Index is because of its high scores on ‘access to capital’. VC funding has been increasingly significantly year-on-year in London for the past few years.

Less acknowledged, but no less important, is the start-up financing provided to the tech sector directly from European coffers. One very specific risk accompanying Brexit is the loss of access to the European Investment Fund (EIF), which provides funding to VC and private equity firms. Between 2011 and 2015, the EIF committed €2.3bn to 144 UK-based funds and has indirectly supported over 27,000 UK companies, many of which are early-stage tech firms. The EIF is therefore a major player in the funding ecosystem for London startups. The case of Deliveroo, the food delivery company founded in 2013, illustrates the role that the EIF plays. So far, Deliveroo had raised $474.59m from various VC funds, many of which are directly funded by the EIF.

Given the prolonged squeeze in UK public finances, highlighted in the recent Autumn Statement, it would be difficult for the UK government to adequately replace the funding of the EIF. Indeed, as with many other policy areas, the worry is not that the European funds are conceptually irreplaceable, but rather that future UK governments will have neither the capacity – not the inclination – to provide the level of investment currently offered by Brussels. At this stage, it is unclear whether the UK funds would still receive EIF funding post-Brexit. The EIF does engage in some non-EU countries, such as Israel, although these tend to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Of greatest import may be the fact that, unlike many forms of EU-funding, the EIF generates revenue by financing London’s VC firms. Nonetheless, it is difficult to imagine the funding situation improving post-Brexit, not least due to the two years of uncertainty likely to ensue.

Final thoughts

Brexit is likely to have a significant impact on the startup ecosystem in London. It is highly likely that the UK’s new trading relationship with the EU, as well as any new immigration regime, will negatively impact on established tech firms and deter digital entrepreneurs from setting up base in London. Although future scenarios that may benefit startups are identifiable – for example, a move to a more skills-based immigration policy – politically these options would seem to have already been ruled out.

London will, of course, remain a global hub for tech and entrepreneurship post-Brexit. While Brexit will damage the startup ecosystem, it will not destroy it completely. London is likely to remain a global financial centre with a vast array of funding options for entrepreneurs. It will continue to have a highly skilled and international workforce and will remain a centre of innovation, science and academic excellence. Moreover, entrepreneurs are resilient, adaptive and positive; many of them will view Brexit as an opportunity, rather than a threat, although this may not accurately reflect objective analysis of Brexit’s likely effects. Like the animals in a changing ecosystem, Brexit will force London’s startups to adapt in order to survive.

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Entrepreneurs and the NFL

Though this article fails to provide much insight other than providing the critical statistic, it is interesting to think about why 20% of NFL players become entrepreneurs after their playing days. To me, it is not only a product of a large amount of money they get paid; it is also due to some of the contacts that they make through their endorsement deals.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2017/01/31/what-jobs-nfl-players-do-after-they-retire/?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=social&utm_content=794565826&utm_campaign=sprinklrForbesMainTwitter#70417b164d41

How Immigrants Are Contributing to Germany’s Start-Up Culture

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21716053-while-native-germans-are-growing-less-eager-start-businesses-new-arrivals-are-ever-more

This article from the economist highlights the fact that native entrepreneurs in Germany face many of the same legislative and bureaucratic road-blocks to development that may hinder development in the United States. Strict EU regulations and a low employment rate means that Germany ranks 114th in the world in terms of ease to start a business.

The interesting thing is that the influx of immigrants into Germany has provided somewhat of a start-up revolution in the country. The article notes that refugee’s from the Middle East are among the most entrepreneurial people in the country. For immigrants from war-torn countries, rising incomes and an opportunity to be self-determinant fit the traditional entrepreneurial spirit. Regulations seem less onerous when you’ve escaped a civil war.

How I Did It: Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com

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I recently discovered “How I Built This” on NPR and have been hooked! I found this article related to the NPR segment regarding Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos. I thought his story was particularly relevant to this class because he is a perfect example of someone who grew a highly successful company not just for money, but rather because he genuinely wanted to solve a common problem – customer service. Tony said that he actually only owns two pairs of shoes. It wasn’t a love of shoes that drove him to Zappos, but rather a genuine interest in perfecting the customer service experience. “We decided to be about providing the best service; we said, ‘We’re a service company that just happens to sell shoes.’ But in order for that to happen, we had to control the entire customer experience.”

I included both the link to this article, as well as the link to all of the NPR episodes of “How I Built This” for those who are interested.

Article: http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060901/hidi-hsieh.html

NPR Link: http://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this