Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) and Earl Blumenauer (OR-3)—with special guest House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-8)— hosted a discussion on federal efforts to support the growth of emerging high tech companies this week at the Urban Airship office in Portland. Representatives from small businesses, incubators, and other stakeholder organizations discussed their goals and priorities for policies to foster high tech industry growth and job creation.
While obtaining capital was not a stated issue for the startups, as has been a problem for other small businesses, many of the enterprises expressed dismay for what they saw as a “lack of appetite” for the large scale investments that led to such breakthroughs as the moon landing or the internet. They encouraged the Representatives to keep pursuing these large investments, as well as immigration and patent reform.
“You have an important story to tell,” said Blumenauer. “Your experiences will help us work through these issues that aren’t getting the consideration that they deserve right now on Capitol Hill.”