Category Archives: Public Policy
Act 255 Tax Credits and …. Convertible Equity
Active angel and venture investors in Wisconsin are generally familiar with Act 255, a state law that provides a tax credit for investors in the equity of qualifying emerging technology businesses. In cases where an investment is made before a … Continue reading
Venture Capital and Private Equity: The Same, Only (Very) Different
If you’ve followed Presidential politics of late – and as much as I want to look away I find myself gawking as at a freeway pileup - you have no doubt heard a lot about private equity and venture/vulture capital. … Continue reading
An Entrepreneurial Spin on the European Debt Crisis
If you follow the financial news at all you are doubtless aware of the European debt crisis. Your awareness probably includes the notion that somehow the problem relates to the difference between European monetary union (captured in the notion that … Continue reading
IRC 409A: Good Faith is not Good Enough
From very early on, one of the distinguishing features of the Silicon Valley school of innovation was the notion that virtually every one on the team – from the receptionist at the front door to the founders in the corner … Continue reading
Serious Patent News: Some Good, Some Not So.
Any day now, the Senate will likely pass the America Invents Act, with the President’s signature promised shortly thereafter. The Act will make the most sweeping changes toUnited Statespatent law since at least 1952. By moving the United States from … Continue reading
The Space Shuttle: A Fond Good Riddance
The title of this piece might suggest that I am a space skeptic. In fact, far from it. If I were in charge, we would be spending more on space, and making serious plans to get to Mars by the … Continue reading
I’ve got nothing to hide, have you?
Word leaks today that Apple’s iOS4 contained at least one new feature Steve Jobs did not bother to mention when he rolled out the iPhone4. The device – and the iPad runningiO4– keeps a running record of where you (well, … Continue reading
American Manufacturing and Innovation
American Manufacturing and Innovation An article by Louis Uchitelle in the February 13, 2011 New York Times posits that the decline of American manufacturing will likely lead to a decline in American innovation. Alas, Mr. Uchitelle’s premise, shared, I think, … Continue reading
It could be worse. You could be Ben Bernanke.
It’s fashionable these days to be worried about deflation. And why not? Price levels are generally falling (with some awkward exceptions, like gold) and the economy is showing few if any signs of heating up. Me? I confess to being … Continue reading
Small Business and High Impact Entrepreneurs: The Same, Only Different
One thing that that strikes me about economic development initiatives and organizations in places that have limited experience with the high risk/reward entrepreneurial culture that thrives in regions with robust venture capital resources, is that too many of them don’t … Continue reading
