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In Case You Missed It: Launch Links - Week of May 17, 2020

  • 5.22.2020

Some interesting links we found across the web this week:

Business As Unusual: Reopening in a Mid-COVID World 
As the states begin to loosen restrictions and businesses consider how to balance safety with economics, a lot of factors come into play. The pandemic effects customers, employees and management in different ways, and the light at the end of the tunnel looks different as well. This Crunchbase article summarizes the key takeaways from a Revolution-sponsored virtual roundtable last week that addressed these very issues. 

Call for EU State Aid Rules to Flex for Startups 
A lot of intentionally operate at a loss, making a calculated bet on the potential of their product – but when economic aid frameworks are based solely on current  cash flow, will such get left behind? The European Union’s Temporary Framework for State Aid may be doing just that, and are pushing back. Read this article by TechCrunch to learn how.

Launching in a Slump—What Lessons can Today’s Startups Take From the Great Financial Crash? 
Launching is a difficult endeavor in the best of times. When the economy is down and unemployment is up, it might seem impossible to start a business that becomes successful. This Forbes article lays out some tips and encouragement from a founder who succeeded in launching his business in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

A Top Investor Explains How to Get VC Funding for Your Startup During the Pandemic
While fundraising activity may be down since March, companies are still getting VC funding despite the pandemic. This article by the Observer lays out concrete guidance for what investors are looking for during these more conservative times, and highlights how you can frame your business and manage expectations in the VC world of today.

How Congress is Shaping Data Privacy Laws During the Pandemic
Privacy regulation is a complicated issue even in the simplest of times. In the height of a pandemic, with the World Health Organization pointing to artificial intelligence and big data as part of the potential solution, and other countries using surveillance to mitigate the of COVID, it gets even trickier. This article from VentureBeat provides a deep dive on the current discussion taking place in Congress, the proposed legislation and the potential issues at stake.

Links compiled by Benn Waters.