Getting to the Bag: SBA Puts $20 Million Up for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched its 2026 Critical Suppliers Prize Competition, putting up to $20 million in non-dilutive funding to U.S. small businesses. The initiative targets businesses positioned to strengthen critical supply chains and level up domestic production. With only four to six winners expected to make the cut and individual awards potentially reaching $6 million, the stakes—and the opportunity—are high.

The Startup Hunger Games: Survival Tips for Entrepreneurs

In 2025, building a startup feels more like surviving The Hunger Games than building a business. Venture capital has been tight, interest rates are high, and only the most resourceful founders emerge from the arena with funding intact. But the tide may be turning, according to Crunchbase data: global venture funding climbed to $97 billion in Q3 2025, up from $92 billion in Q2 closing up 38% year over year. AI startups dominated, capturing over 46% of total funding, with just eighteen companies securing one-third of all capital deployed. This intense capital concentration favors founders who are disciplined, legally sound, and ready to scale. History backs them: Airbnb, Uber, and Slack were all born in downturns. The entrepreneurs who survive 2025’s volatility are not riding the wave —they are building enduring businesses that will thrive when the market rebounds.

Startup Law 101: 5 Mistakes That Can Blow Up Your Startup – Don’t Sign the “totally fine” ChatGPT Contract

Startups move fast, but legal mistakes move faster—and they hit harder. Whether you’re bootstrapping or backed by big VC, your lawyer isn’t just a formality—they’re your firewall. Too many founders treat legal like an afterthought, then wonder why things explode. From boardroom to courtroom, these are five founder mistakes that separate the bold from the bankrupt. So, before you launch that app, hire that friend, or sign that “totally fine” ChatGPT contract, read this:

1. Don’t Wait Until You’re in “Oh Sh*t” Mode to Call Your Lawyer

In the startup world, things move fast—your legal strategy should move faster. Waiting to bring in counsel until there’s a co-founder fallout, a misfired contract, or a surprise lawsuit is like trying to install brakes after your Tesla hits 90 mph. We’ve seen it all: 

• One founder stops showing up but still owns half the company because no one drafted a real agreement. 
• Someone grabs a one-page operating agreement off Google that leaves you stuck with default state rules that don’t fit your company’s needs. 

A little legal foresight upfront saves hours of cleanup later.

The AI Revolution: Tech is Taking Over

Artificial intelligence isn’t just tech jargon anymore—it is the headliner at the global innovation festival. From self-driving cars to AI-powered investment tools, AI is flipping industries upside down and rewriting the startup playbook. PwC estimates that AI will add over $15 trillion to the global economy and boost local GDP by 26% by 2030, with the broader market projected to hit $826 billion in just five years.

That’s not just a stat—it is a wake-up call. AI has shifted from a niche subject to a main stage act, captivating everyone from Fortune 500 execs to founders and innovators who are either building with AI or competing against those who are. 

I remember back in law school, grinding through legal textbooks until 2 a.m. and the struggle was real. Fast forward to now, and tools like ChatGPT can solve a semester’s worth of problems in minutes. For entrepreneurs, this isn’t just technological progress — it is a massive shift in the rules of the game. The message is clear: adapt fast or get left behind. Or, as 50 Cent would say: “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.”