### The Challenge for UK Startups

As the race for **driverless vehicles** heats up, British startups like **Oxa** and **Wayve** face tough choices. With well-funded competitors from **China** and the **US**, these companies must innovate and adapt to survive in a rapidly evolving market.

### Strategic Decisions Ahead

The landscape of autonomous driving technology is changing. Oxa and Wayve are at a crossroads, needing to make strategic decisions that could define their future. The pressure is on as they strive to establish a foothold against more established rivals.

### Competing with Giants

The intense competition from **Chinese** and **American** firms poses significant challenges. These startups must leverage their unique strengths and focus on cutting-edge technology to carve out their niche in an already crowded field.

### Innovation is Key

To remain relevant, innovation is critical. Both companies are exploring new technologies and partnerships to enhance their offerings and improve their chances against better-funded adversaries. **Investment** in research and development will be essential for their growth and sustainability in the driverless vehicle market.

Oxa and Wayve are making hard choices in the face of well-funded Chinese and US competition

Navigating the Future: How UK Startups Are Competing in the Driverless Vehicle Race

### The Unexpected Government Crackdown
In February, **David Casem**, CEO of **Telnyx**, an internet voice call carrier, faced an unexpected challenge when the **FCC** accused his company of failing to properly vet customers who made scam robocalls targeting the FCC itself. The proposed fine? A staggering **$4.5 million**.

### A Bold Decision to Fight Back
Typically, tech executives might opt to pay the fine or negotiate a settlement, especially in the face of such a serious enforcement action. However, with **President Trump** in office, Casem decided to take a stand against what he perceived as unjust regulation. The Trump administration's **anti-regulation** stance gave him the courage to fight back.

### Rallying Support in D.C.
Casem enlisted the help of lobbyists and political consultants, including **P2 Pathway Public Affairs**, known for its association with **Elon Musk**. He traveled to Washington D.C. to gather support and allies in Congress. Recently, Telnyx publicly demanded that the FCC rescind the proposed fine, arguing that the company is a victim of unjust regulation under the Biden administration.

### Leveraging Executive Orders
In his defense, Casem pointed to two **Trump executive orders** aimed at increasing transparency in federal enforcement actions and eliminating unconstitutional regulations. He expressed hope that the FCC would reconsider its stance, stating that the enforcement action contradicts the President's agenda.

### A Wider Trend of Resistance
The atmosphere in Washington has shifted since Trump took office, emboldening businesses to push back against regulatory actions. For instance, the **SEC** recently withdrew several lawsuits against crypto exchanges that were initiated under Biden. Telnyx’s actions may set a precedent for other companies looking to challenge regulatory decisions.

### The Robocall Scam Incident
The controversy surrounding Telnyx stems from a robocall scam that targeted FCC officials, including Chairman **Brendan Carr**. Despite following best practices for fraud detection, Telnyx was caught in the crossfire of this enforcement action, which surprised Casem as he believed the FCC was investigating the robocallers, not his company.

### The Future of Regulatory Appeals
Casem has hired additional groups to bolster their appeal to the Trump administration and has expressed confidence that their arguments align with the President’s agenda. If Telnyx succeeds in overturning the FCC's action, it may encourage other companies to adopt similar strategies in dealing with regulatory challenges. As **Kevin Werbach**, a law professor at Wharton, noted, this could become a common practice in the coming years.

Telnyx, an internet voice call carrier, is trying to use Trump’s anti-regulation agenda to get an enforcement action by the FCC overturned.



How a Startup is Leveraging Trump's Anti-Regulation Strategy to Challenge the FCC

**Introduction to Freedom Cities**  
In a bold move, the architects behind projects like **Próspera** are advocating for the creation of **Freedom Cities** in the U.S., which would operate free from federal regulations. As **Allen** notes, there is abundant capital and political will, but the significant barrier remains the stringent regulations that stifle innovation.  
  
**The Debate Around Freedom Cities**  
However, not everyone is on board. **Gil Duran**, a political consultant, raises concerns about the implications of such cities, questioning what it means to exist outside the law. He warns that these cities could lead to the **hollowing out** of other areas, creating a divide between those who benefit from deregulation and those who do not.  
  
**Tax Structure and Regulation**  
Unlike **Próspera**, which has a distinct tax structure from Honduras, Freedom Cities in the U.S. would likely follow similar tax obligations as other American cities, with the primary difference lying in their regulatory framework.  
  
**The Rise of Biotech and Longevity**  
One of the companies poised to thrive in this environment is **Minicircle**, a biotech firm focused on **gene therapies** aimed at extending human lifespans. Backed by prominent figures like **Thiel** and **Sam Altman**, Minicircle has its roots in both Texas and Próspera, with its innovative **clinical trials** being possible only in deregulated spaces. Co-founder **Mac Davis** envisions a future where a ‘**longevity city**’ could see widespread adoption of gene therapies.  
  
**American Dynamism and New Industries**  
The industries targeted for growth in Freedom Cities include **energy**, **nuclear**, **semiconductors**, and **defense technology**—sectors that venture capital is increasingly focusing on. Allen refers to this trend as **American Dynamism**, a concept highlighted in a manifesto by **Andreessen Horowitz**. The venture capital landscape has seen over **$100 billion** invested in defense tech startups since 2021.  
  
**Nuclear Power and AI Data Centers**  
In an effort to support energy needs for **AI data centers**, major tech companies are exploring **nuclear power**. Amazon, Google, and Meta are among those making significant strides in this area, recognizing the potential of nuclear energy to meet their growing demands.  
  
**Manufacturing and Housing Innovations**  
Deregulation could also facilitate the establishment of manufacturing hubs and shipbuilding ports, bypassing environmental review processes. Partners like the **American Enterprise Institute** are eager to leverage Freedom Cities to address housing shortages.  
  
**Concerns About Democracy and Workers' Rights**  
Despite the potential advantages, Duran cautions that the same deregulation could lead to **cities without democracy** and **workers' rights**, where corporate interests dominate. This raises critical questions about the implications of creating such sovereign entities at the expense of broader societal freedoms.

The architects of projects like Próspera are drafting legislation to create US cities that would be free from federal regulations.

Unlocking the Future: How 'Freedom Cities' Could Transform American Entrepreneurship

### Overview
Recent developments suggest that the **office deal** involving Sam Altman’s crypto startup in San Francisco may be in jeopardy. This situation could have significant implications for both the startup and the local business landscape.

### Key Details
The deal, which was anticipated to bolster the startup's presence in the vibrant tech hub of San Francisco, is now facing uncertainties. Factors contributing to this potential fallout include market fluctuations and internal company dynamics that may hinder the transaction's completion.

### Implications for the Startup Ecosystem
If this deal falls through, it could affect not only the startup itself but also the broader **crypto industry** in the area, highlighting the challenges faced by emerging companies in securing physical space amidst an evolving market.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops. **The outcome of this deal could reshape the landscape for startups in the tech sector.**

Is the Deal with Sam Altman's Crypto Startup in San Francisco Falling Apart?

### Google's Recent Changes to the Founders Fund

Just weeks after Google announced a review of its **diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)** programs, significant changes have surfaced on the Google for Startups Founders Fund webpage. **Most notably**, the language describing its funding for underrepresented founders has shifted to past tense, indicating a potentially troubling trend.

### The Founders Fund Background

Launched in **2020**, Google's Founders Fund aimed to provide **monetary grants, mentorship,** and **product support** for startups led by underrepresented founders, including women and individuals from African and Latino backgrounds. The fund reportedly disbursed over **$50 million** to more than **600 founders**, offering not just financial aid but also mentorship and Google Cloud credits.

### Current Status of Grant Programs

However, the current status of these grant programs is alarming. The website now states that there are **zero fund programs available**, raising questions about the future of initiatives that specifically target minority groups. The programs that have been labeled as **past funds** include the **Women’s Founders Fund**, **Latino Founders Fund**, and the **Black Founders Fund** for both the U.S. and Brazil.

### Shift in Focus?

It's unclear which programs have ended or been suspended, but Google's vague responses suggest a **shift in focus** away from underrepresented founders towards **AI startups**. A spokesperson indicated that while applications for the Google for Startups Funds in 2025 have not yet opened, the emphasis will be on supporting AI-focused startups.

### Language Changes on the Website

In addition to the program changes, the language used on the website has also evolved. Previously, the site emphasized **financial support for underrepresented communities**. Now, it has pivoted to a more generalized description, stating it provides **financial support for innovators** without any specific mention of underrepresented groups.

### The Broader Context

This trend of distancing from DEI initiatives is not isolated to Google. Other tech giants, including **Meta** and **Amazon**, have also begun adjusting their DEI language and activities amid increasing political pressure to roll back such programs. Reports indicate that while companies publicly distance themselves from DEI, they may continue to support such initiatives privately.

Simultaneously, U.S. grant programs designed for underrepresented communities have faced various legal challenges, highlighting the precarious position these initiatives are in today.

![Google Startups](https://example.com/google-startups-image.jpg)

*Source: TechCrunch*

Just weeks after Google said it would review its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, the Google for Startups Founders Fund web page is peppered

Shocking Shift: Google Drops 'Underrepresented' Language from Grant Program!

### The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs After 40

When envisioning a successful **startup founder**, the typical image often skews towards **young male entrepreneurs**. However, the narratives of **Joanna Strober, Julie Bornstein, Sara Schiller**, and **Karen Robinovitz** challenge this stereotype. All four women launched their successful ventures after the age of **40**, proving that age can be an asset in entrepreneurship.

### The Advantage of Experience

Recent studies have highlighted that **women-founded companies** tend to generate **higher revenue** despite receiving less funding. A **2020 study** revealed that the average age of founders behind the **highest-growth ventures** is **45**. The insights gained through years of experience allow these women to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence.

![Joanna Strober and Karen Robinovitz](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/images/misc/1741371837_sloomoo_edit_missing_tooth-0280_FIX_v001.jpg?width=1000)

**Joanna Strober**, founder of **Midi Health**, started her venture based on her own struggles with **perimenopause**. Her previous experience with **Kurbo Health**, which sold to **Weight Watchers**, provided her with the knowledge necessary to create a successful health platform for women.

### Building Powerful Networks

Strober emphasizes the importance of **networking**, stating that older founders can leverage their extensive professional connections to solve complex problems. This **networking advantage** is crucial for navigating the startup landscape.

### Embracing New Opportunities

**Julie Bornstein**, co-founder of **Daydream**, has utilized her extensive experience in **ecommerce** to create an AI-powered shopping platform. Her past roles, including her time at **Stitch Fix**, equipped her with the skills needed to innovate in the fashion tech space. She notes, "The biggest benefit is having so much experience under my belt."

![Julie Bornstein](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/images/misc/1741371596_juliesingle.png?width=1000)

### Finding Joy in Business

**Sara Schiller** and **Karen Robinovitz**, co-founders of **Sloomoo Institute**, found inspiration in their emotional journeys and created a unique experience around **slime**. Their background in **talent management** and **event planning** has been instrumental in the success of their business.

![Sara Schiller and Karen Robinovitz](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/images/misc/1741371923_SLOOMOO_FINALS-0116.jpg?width=1000)

### The Freedom to Innovate

With children grown and more time on their hands, these women express how the **freedom** allows them to focus intensely on their businesses. Strober acknowledges, "The amount of free brain power is extraordinary."

### Confidence in Taking Risks

The women also highlight that being older allows them to take **calculated risks**. As Bornstein states, "In many ways, you can take more risks than you could earlier in your career." Their life experiences have cultivated a **confidence** that enhances their leadership skills.

### Final Thoughts

These inspiring stories reveal that starting a business after 40 is not just possible but can be incredibly successful. With experience, a strong network, and newfound freedom, these women are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur in today’s world.

Joanna Strober, Julie Bornstein, Sara Schiller and Karen Robinovitz started their current companies after age 40. Now in their 50s, they share success secrets.

Unleashing Success: How Four Women Defied Age to Build Multimillion-Dollar Startups After 40

### Trish Costello: A Leader in Women-Focused Investments

Trish Costello, the **founder and C.E.O. of Portfolia**, is at the forefront of a movement aimed at improving women’s lives through innovative health care solutions. Her platform, **Portfolia**, stands out as a **women-focused investment platform** that seeks to address the unique challenges faced by women.

![Trish Costello](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/03/08/multimedia/08sp-women-trish-inyt-qfmz/08sp-women-trish-inyt-qfmz-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
*Trish Costello at her office in California. “I have always been interested in money as fuel for innovation,” she said.*

### The Investment Landscape

In 2023, **$178 billion** was invested in U.S. companies, but **only 19%** of investment decisions were made by women, highlighting a significant gender disparity in venture capital. Alarmingly, just **2%** of that funding went to companies founded by women. This stark imbalance motivated Trish to establish Portfolia in **2014**, one of the first U.S. venture firms dedicated to women’s health.

### A Visionary Journey

Trish has a rich history in entrepreneurship and venture capital, having co-founded the **Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership** at the Kauffman Foundation in **1994**. Her experience revealed a troubling trend: male investors often overlooked companies addressing women’s health issues like infertility or menopause, areas she recognized as **untapped markets**. Between **2018 and 2023**, investment in women’s health ventures surged by **314%** in the U.S. and Europe, validating her foresight.

### Portfolia's Impact

Portfolia currently manages **14 funds** that target companies catering to a largely female demographic in sectors ranging from **active aging to femtech**. Impressively, **90%** of its investors are women, and the firm has made **185 investments** totaling over **$65 million** in **118 companies**, with nearly **70%** being women-led ventures.

### Trish's Entrepreneurial Spirit

At **68**, Trish reflects on her lifelong entrepreneurial spirit, instilled in her during her childhood in rural Kansas. She emphasizes the importance of seeing **opportunities** in challenges, a mindset that has driven her success in the investment landscape focused on women's health.

### A Call for Change

Trish Costello's journey is not only about financial growth but also about **empowering women** through investment. As she continues to champion women's health solutions, her work at Portfolia exemplifies the potential of **targeted venture capital** to drive innovation and improve lives.

Trish Costello is the founder and C.E.O. of Portfolia, a women-focused investment platform that is fueling health care innovations aimed at improving women’s lives.

Empowering Women: Trish Costello's Vision for Impactful Investments in Health Care

## Scale AI Under Investigation by the US Labor Department

The **U.S. Department of Labor** is currently investigating **Scale AI**, a **data labeling startup** that has garnered support from tech giants like **Nvidia**, **Amazon**, and **Meta**. This inquiry focuses on the company's **compliance** with the **Fair Labor Standards Act**, particularly regarding **fair pay practices** and **working conditions**. 

The investigation was initiated nearly a year ago during the administration of former President **Joe Biden**. In response, Scale AI has been collaborating with the department to clarify its **business model** and the dynamics of the **emerging artificial intelligence industry**. 

### About Scale AI
Founded in **2016**, Scale AI specializes in providing vast amounts of accurately labeled data, which is essential for training advanced AI systems like **OpenAI's ChatGPT**. Additionally, the company offers a platform for researchers to exchange AI-related information, boasting contributors from over **9,000 cities and towns**. 

![Department of Labor Headquarters](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GIk9mzaA1gn1W90H5OaqNg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/reuters-finance.com/95ce2047a5ff0eb01cb5c785e54185b5)
*The Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C.*

A spokesperson for Scale AI stated, "The feedback we get from contributors is overwhelmingly positive, and we have dedicated teams to ensure people are paid fairly and feel supported." The company claims that nearly all contributor payments are made on time, resolving **90% of payment-related inquiries** within three days. 

In a late-stage funding round last year, Scale AI was valued at **$14 billion**, attracting clients including AI firms like **OpenAI**, **Cohere**, and financial institutions such as **Microsoft** and **Morgan Stanley**.

The investigation is looking into Scale AI's compliance with fair pay practices and working conditions and was initiated nearly an year ago under the former President Joe Biden's administration, the company said.  The startup said over the last year it has worked with the department to explain its business model and the emerging artificial intelligence industry.

Navigating the Future: How UK Startups Are Competing in the Driverless Vehicle Race

Summary:

The Challenge for UK Startups

Strategic Decisions Ahead

Competing with Giants

Innovation is Key

Comments

Subscribe our newsletter to receive our daily digested news

ListMyStartup.app

Other Latest News

How a Startup is Leveraging Trump's Anti-Regulation Strategy to Challenge the FCC

Unlocking the Future: How 'Freedom Cities' Could Transform American Entrepreneurship

Is the Deal with Sam Altman's Crypto Startup in San Francisco Falling Apart?

Shocking Shift: Google Drops 'Underrepresented' Language from Grant Program!

Unleashing Success: How Four Women Defied Age to Build Multimillion-Dollar Startups After 40

Empowering Women: Trish Costello's Vision for Impactful Investments in Health Care

Is Scale AI in Hot Water? US Labor Department Probes Fair Pay Practices of Nvidia and Amazon-Backed Startup

Other Latest News

How a Startup is Leveraging Trump's Anti-Regulation Strategy to Challenge the FCC

Unlocking the Future: How 'Freedom Cities' Could Transform American Entrepreneurship

Is the Deal with Sam Altman's Crypto Startup in San Francisco Falling Apart?

Shocking Shift: Google Drops 'Underrepresented' Language from Grant Program!

Unleashing Success: How Four Women Defied Age to Build Multimillion-Dollar Startups After 40

Empowering Women: Trish Costello's Vision for Impactful Investments in Health Care

Is Scale AI in Hot Water? US Labor Department Probes Fair Pay Practices of Nvidia and Amazon-Backed Startup