Event Recap: Developments in Digital Trade: U.S. Entrepreneurs’ Perspective
Digital trade issues have always been a hot topic, but recent developments have demonstrated to policymakers and industry stakeholders alike that small businesses need strong digital trade protections to flourish. Parag Shah, founder of ACT |The App Association member company Vēmos, and Taylor Downs, federal policy manager for the App Association, recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by Nathan Lindfors, policy director for Engine, to highlight small business issues in digital trade. Recap The discussion, which also included Angela [...]
Unlocking the Future: How Smart Investments and Sensible Governance Can Propel the LLM Industry Forward
A couple of weeks ago, at an event hosted by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Stanford Business School, policymakers and industry stakeholders convened to discuss the competitive landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) industries. The discussion ranged from the promise of large language models (LLMs) and foundation models (FMs) to the regulatory mechanisms for this emerging technology. It was clear that regulatory and enforcement actions were being considered even as the regulators were trying to fully comprehend the [...]
Statement by ACT | The App Association on Canada Digital Service Tax Adoption
“ACT | The App Association strongly opposes Bill C-59’s proposal to impose a digital services tax (DST) for Canada. The changes to Canadian law that C-59 will upend business planning and research and development cycles for small business innovators and are inconsistent with international tax standards, chilling the investment and innovation climate in Canada. In addition, C-59 undermines the ongoing OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting. The App Association encourages the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to [...]
Open Letter to Mario Draghi on the future of European Competitiveness
As we continue to advocate for a thriving digital ecosystem, we have addressed an open letter to Mario Draghi, with some asks for considerations in his upcoming report on EU competitiveness. Our letter highlights the unique challenges faced by SMEs and underscores the importance of policies that foster innovation and growth. Read the full letter below to see how we advocate for a more supportive environment for SMEs in tech. To: Professor Mario Draghi, former Prime Minister of Italy and [...]
Identifying Key Components of a Successful Tech Hub
The concept of a "tech hub" has evolved into much more than a campaign buzzword or a geographical location. It represents a dynamic ecosystem where talent, innovation, and connectivity converge to drive progress and prosperity. Whether you're a founder looking to launch your startup, a venture capitalist seeking promising investment opportunities, or an elected official aiming to foster economic growth, understanding the key components of a thriving tech hub is essential. While there is no uniform definition of a tech [...]