ACT | The App Association

?? Post-Election Priorities: Empowering Small Businesses in the App Economy With elections wrapped up, it’s time to focus on how policymakers can reduce barriers for small businesses. The UK’s new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) offers a fresh approach to streamlining regulations—prioritizing innovation and economic growth without adding unnecessary red tape. For small businesses and developers, this means: ?? Faster approvals in sectors like digital healthcare and autonomous vehicles. ?? A stronger voice in shaping a regulatory environment that fosters innovation. ?? Reduced compliance hurdles, freeing resources for product development. As global governments reassess their regulatory strategies, the RIO stands out as a model for balancing innovation with accountability. Small businesses deserve the same opportunities to scale and thrive, whether in the UK or elsewhere. ?? Dive into how RIO’s efforts could reshape opportunities for innovators: https://loom.ly/uTyTjjY

?? Big news for innovators! ?? The Federal Circuit’s recent decision on anti-suit injunctions is a win for fair SEP licensing and small businesses. ?? This protects U.S. courts from interference and helps innovators build on standards to drive IoT breakthroughs. Learn how this decision reinforces FRAND licensing commitments and prevents unfair practices like forum shopping. Read our blog to dive deeper: https://loom.ly/f64mNiE #Innovation #SmallBusiness #TechPolicy #SEP

What an inspiring month of connection and community across our entrepreneurial ecosystem! I'm filled with gratitude for three remarkable Black women who led these transformative experiences: First, thank you Tulaine M. for her vision for New Profit's The Well in Baltimore. In the wake of the election, you created a vital space for reflection and restoration with our extraordinary community of social impact innovators, including the Open M.I.C. Night with Camelback Ventures Fellow Jerelyn Rodriguez, Co-Founder of The Knowledge House. Special appreciation to Jeff Livingston, Chantelle George, Ph.D. Elaine Atherton, Jessica Santana, Shruti Sehra, Hassan Hassan, Nicole Jarbo, for your continued dedication to making our world better. The venture capital landscape demands change, with less than 2% currently flowing to women. All Raise, under Paige Hendrix Buckner's visionary leadership, is actively creating pathways for women to lead venture funds and invest in women entrepreneurs. We were proud to be a first-time sponsor of the All Stars VC Summit in San Francisco and witnessed the power of community. I am loving my new All Stars Crew - Alice Vilma, Ali Hartman, Alyssa Frederick, and Monique Woodard! Finally, AFROTECH in Houston was nothing short of extraordinary, gathering 37,000 Black technologists and innovators! Thank you Morgan DeBaun and Blavity Inc. for your unwavering commitment to showcasing Black Excellence in Tech. We were proud to have co-hosted The ACTivation Lounge with ACT | The App Association, amplifying our mission to support entrepreneurs of color and women. A highlight was watching Eboney (Smith) Hearn of MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (previously OEOP) and Jehron W. Petty , Founder of ColorStack discuss 'Shaping STEM's Future: Tech & Education' with Kendra Desrosiers. There were way too many events to list, but I want to shout out to the BLCK VC Brunch and Culture House HTX @ AfroTech, and the RenderATL (Render Atlanta) House. Loved connecting with Robert Gordon IV, Justin E. Samuels, LaToya Wilson, Joy Ekuta, Charles Corprew, Ph.D., Kuku Richards, Stephane Manuel, ????????ERIN (Ear-in) HORNE MCKINNEY, M.A. ????????, Ashley Bass, Michael Franklin, and Aniesia Williams. These experiences reinforce why we do this work. Together, we're building a more inclusive and equitable future in tech and entrepreneurship. #CamelbackFam #DiversityInTech #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #WomenInVenture #BlackExcellence

?? Small businesses are leading the way in tech innovation, but government policies—like the EU’s DMA—are creating barriers that could roll back progress in accessibility. ?? Read our blog to learn how smarter regulation can empower innovation and inclusion: https://loom.ly/4gsoAA8 #TechAccessibility #Innovation #SmallBusiness #AI #DigitalInclusion #GlobalElections

You guys are awesome! Chris Morris BSc, QTS and Rachel Hatfield MSc, MBA. You’ve built an inpressibe business together, and the charity work you do is inspiring. ?? Its an honour to have you as ACT | The App Association members ??

? It’s #MemberMonday! ? Today, we’re excited to introduce SHOO, a social media marketing partner dedicated to helping brands grow through data-driven strategies and impactful campaigns. Learn how they’re making a difference ?? https://loom.ly/KAqQDZo #SocialMediaSuccess #DigitalMarketing #InnovateWithShoo

?? Post-Election Focus: Reviving R&D Tax Credits for Small Business Growth With the elections behind us, it's time for policymakers to prioritize small businesses—the true drivers of innovation and economic growth. The current amortization requirement under Section 174 creates barriers to innovation, forcing startups to stretch R&D expenses over five years instead of deducting them immediately. This change disproportionately impacts small businesses, leading to: ?? Higher tax burdens that stifle growth and hiring. ?? Tough budget cuts that delay breakthroughs. ?? Reduced competitiveness in the global innovation race. We’ve joined small business leaders in urging Congress to restore R&D tax credits. American innovators need a tax environment that supports their ability to invest, hire, and grow—not one that leaves them behind. ?? Read about our advocacy for small business innovation and why R&D tax credits matter now more than ever: https://loom.ly/Uday91g

"The Federal Circuit’s guidance on ASIs represents a crucial step in maintaining fair and balanced SEP licensing practices in the United States." The decision in Ericsson v. Lenovo protects small innovators by enforcing fair SEP licensing practices. Here are the top three takeaways: 1?? SEP licensing must remain fair and transparent to support innovation. 2?? Stops forum shopping that forces SMEs into unfair agreements. 3?? Strengthens U.S. courts’ ability to protect innovators. ?? Read more: https://loom.ly/f64mNiE #TechPolicy #SEPReform #Innovation #SMEs #IoT

?? Global elections are reshaping the policies that could make or break your business. From Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) to R&D tax incentives, these changes are hitting the app economy—and small businesses—hard.?? Check out the latest TechTok with Jong Hun Chung for the highlights and stay tuned for our first blog in the Digital Tax Follies series! Dropping ?? #SmallBusiness #DigitalTaxes #InnovationSupport #TechPolicy #AppEconomy

?? Post-Election Focus: A Win for Small Business Innovation in the UK Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, but resource limitations often create barriers to growth. That’s why we joined over 200 organizations to advocate for permanent full expensing in the UK—and it’s now a reality! With permanent full expensing, small businesses can deduct investments in IT equipment and machinery from profits, reducing tax bills and freeing up resources to: ?? Invest in innovation and growth ?? Access the latest technologies ?? Create new employment opportunities Sound tax policy like this is a win for small businesses and the UK economy. Policymakers worldwide should take note: reducing barriers to innovation is key to empowering entrepreneurs. ?? Read more about why full expensing matters for small businesses: https://loom.ly/C8YF2A4