Standing Up For Startups - YC Goes To D.C.

Gary and Luther explain that YC is advocating for founders to have a voice in policymaking. They describe “little tech” as emerging companies with the potential to improve people’s lives, and say founders are often missing from Washington’s technology conversations.

Luther names access to high-skilled talent and a national non-compete ban as priorities, pointing to California’s rules as a source of innovation. He also argues for keeping markets open to new entrants, citing proposed online competition and app market bills, and says AI policy should avoid criminalizing open-source foundation models.

Gary and Luther say technology policy has often been shaped by a small number of large companies. Luther describes astroturf as special interests creating the appearance of public support, and says YC’s 11,000 founders can share firsthand accounts with Congress, the White House, and agencies.

Gary observes that technology grew from a fringe sector into a major part of the economy, while Washington’s understanding of startups has not always kept pace. He and Luther say younger congressional staff can be knowledgeable, but founders need to meet policymakers and build relationships so they hear perspectives beyond those of large companies.