A note from our editor, Elizabeth MacBride:
With the outcome of the presidential election on a razor’s edge, Times of Entrepreneurship reached out to entrepreneurs in battleground states to capture their worries and hopes for the future. Those stories are below, along with one that takes a hard look at a historical shift we are living through: For the first time in American history, the peaceful transition of power is in question. Here’s hoping the question doesn’t presage reality, and that we never have to live through this anxiety again.
— Elizabeth MacBride, founder of Times of Entrepreneurship
Times of Entrepreneurship Stories of the Week
Analysis: How Real Is The Threat Of Political Violence?
Signs emerge across different sectors and organizations, from an increase in automatic weapons fire to boarded up storefronts, that the United States is on the brink of a new paradigm.
This Business Owner Refused To Board Up Her Windows
Rhetoric at the national level has painted urban areas as zones of anarchy and lawlessness. Mandy Arnold of York, Pa., saw a different picture.
Voices of Immigrant Entrepreneurs: ‘I Vote As A Businessman.’
Across the Midwest, these business owners face rising racism, but look to the future with their dreams intact
How To Keep The Poison Of Politics Out Of Your Company
One of the world’s leading peacemakers, John Paul Lederach has worked in conflict zones from Colombia to Myanmar. Here’s his advice for navigating the next few weeks.
Read the Story »
Important Stories from Elsewhere
Wisconsin Results And Other Lives Updates
As of the early afternoon, officials were still counting ballots in five key states. One new state appeared to land in Biden’s column, at least for now, as he held onto a razor-thin lead in Wisconsin with all but 400 votes counted; Trump promised to ask for a recount. Meanwhile the Dow rallied.
Why The Social Media Rage Machine Won’t Stop
Tech companies aren’t going to dismantle the systems that are making them billions.
The End Of $600 Stimulus Checks Has Left Unemployed Americans Facing Financial Ruin
The expiration of the CARES Act at the end of July caused a 50-100% increase in financial fragility, according to a new study.
Here’s The Final Tally Of Where Tech Billionaires Donated For The 2020 Election
About 98% of contributions from internet companies went to Democrats, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
World’s Largest IPO Suspended
The Shanghai stock exchange suspended an offering by Ant Group, the internet-finance spinoff of Alibaba after Jack Ma and other executives were summoned to Beijing Monday by regulators.
Palantir In Talks To Help The UK With Test-And-Trace
The company could end up in the middle of a growing controversy about how the country has handled its coronavirus databases.
Elon Musk Says Tesla Was ‘About A Month’ From Bankruptcy During Model 3 Ramp
His tweet: “The Model 3 ramp was extreme stress & pain for a long time—from mid-2017 to mid-2019. Production and logistics hell.”
Bad Leadership Is Plunging Public Schools Into A Crisis
COVID-19 exposed how important teachers are to students and families. It’s a shame that schools leaders still won’t listen to them. Meanwhile, families are fleeing the public school system for pods, homeschooling, charters and more, as they realize “the school system wasn’t going to be there for them.”
Women Still Rare In Tech Unicorns
Although more startups are joining the club, few have women at the helm, according to new research from Notion Capital.
New Jersey Governor “Highly Confident Marijuana Will Be Legalized
A measure on the ballot would allow people over age 21 to use marijuana legally.
Founder Of The Martin Trust Center For MIT Entrepreneurship Recognized For A Lifetime Of Pioneering Entrepreneurship
Professor Edward B. Roberts received the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Legacy Award. He is the David Sarnoff Professor of Management of Technology and founder and chair of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center.
Uganda’s Homegrown AI
When it comes to machine learning and artificial intelligence, one size does not fit all.
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Rare In Every Way, A Clean Tech Company Emerges From Southwest Virginia’s Coal Country With A $3M Seed Round
Karen “Tornado Lady” Sorber powered the company’s growth through 13 years and $6 million in grants.
Invention To Diagnose Ear Infections Could Help Millions With The Bane Of Kids’ Early Years
Illinois-based Photonicare’s story shows what kinds of support are critical for founders in science innovation.
Events
INCmty
Date: November 2-6
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
This event, billed as the largest entrepreneurship festival in Latin America, is focused on digital inclusion and building a sustainable future. It has an agenda of 200 speakers, networking, forums, meetups and many other activities.
Greentown Labs Climatech Summit
Date: Nov. 5-6
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
Entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, policymakers, startup support organizations and other climate champions will come together to chart a holistic course to building a sustainable future for all.
Nevada Virtual Pitch Competition
Date: Nov. 6, 9 am to 3 pm
Location: Virtual
For more information, write to: [email protected].
Created to stimulate entrepreneurship in rural Nevada, this virtual pitch competition, which will award cash prizes up to $1,000, will include educational resources and learning sessions.
Building A High-Revenue One-Person Business In Challenging Times
Date: November 12, 1 pm ET
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many freelancers found that their experience with remote work helped them keep their businesses going—and often, growing. Now many of these one-person businesses are raising their game. Learn how to grow your business from three seven-figure solo entrepreneurs and Alex Wilson-Campbell, founder of the Remote Work Life Podcast, in this free webinar.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
Dates: November 16-22
Location: Live, hybrid and virtual
Information available here.
This collection of thousands of events, powered by the Kauffman Foundation, takes place in more than 170 countries around the world. This year there will be more than 35,000 events, focused on making entrepreneurship available to all.
Path Forward: Your Money
Date: November 17, 2 pm.
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
Top experts in personal finance will provide advice at this CNBC conference on spending and saving and the psychology behind decision-making. Speakers include Suze Ormon and NFL New England Patriots linebacker and professor at University of Pennsylvanaia Brandon Copeland.
Startup Lehigh Valley Pitch Competition
Date: November 18 (Deadline to apply: October 28, 2020)
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania entrepreneurs are invited to compete in this virtual competition. Only 10 spots are available. Prizes total $10,000.
Fundraising for Early Stage Founders in Emerging Countries
Date: November 19, 2020, 5 pm in Paris (GMT+1)
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
This webinar looks at how early-stage startups from emerging countries can find investors, offering guidance from Mélanie Keita, cofounder of Melanin Capital.
Sight Tech Global
Date: Dec. 2-3, 2020. Registration is free and opening soon.
Information available here.
This virtual conference is dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers about how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will create a more accessible world for people with blindness and visual impairments.
LinkUp Conference Show
Date: Dec. 8, 2020
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
This digital networking conference is focused on providing opportunities for leaders in fintech and telecom. Speakers include venture capitalist Tim Draper and Dr. Roshwanna Ellis, founder and CEO of EnrichHER.
MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition
Deadline for applications: December 15, 2020
Location: Virtual
Information available here.
This annual competition, founded in 2006, is designed to empower entrepreneurs and foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Arab Region. The winners receive equity-free prize money.
Baylor New Venture Competition
Date: March 25-27, 2021; Applications open September 1, 2020
Location: Baylor University; Waco, Texas
Information available here.
Baylor New Venture Competition offers applicants business plan feedback, mentorship, and a chance to compete for more than $250,000 in prizes. Collegiate entrepreneurs from around the globe are eligible to participate in the competition, hosted by Baylor University.
Rolling:
MassCEC’s InnovateMass Program
Deadline: Rolling
Information available here.
This program offers up to $250,000 in grant funding and technical support to applicant teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with a strong potential for commercialization. Applicants must run Massachusetts-based companies or have a location in the state and have a technology that fits specific guidelines.
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