(Victor Hwang and John Bridgeland) - America’s story has been written by those bold enough to begin. The revolutionaries who founded a new nation, the farmer who moved west to claim and seed land, the inventor who built a new machine, and the newcomer who opened a small shop on Main Street were all pioneers. Each had no guarantee of success. Each carried the promise of progress.

Today’s entrepreneurs are America’s new pioneers. They do not ask for certainty or wait for permission. They see a gap, an unmet need, a better way—and they act. In garages, kitchens, and co-working spaces, they envision and build with a spirit of possibility. 

But courage and risk-taking are not enough. We know the path to starting a business is full of obstacles – complicated rules, high fees, scarce capital, and limited networks.  Good ideas are shut down by red tape, hardworking dreamers rarely find access to funding, and our education system does too little to cultivate the knowledge and skills to invent.

It’s no surprise then that while more than 60 percent of Americans want to start their own enterprise, only 9 percent actually do. That’s wasted human potential and lost economic opportunity.

To meet the demand, America needs to innovate to fix the very systems inhibiting the creation of new businesses. Fortunately, there is a plan called America the Entrepreneurial, covering a range of issues to strengthen entrepreneurship in America. 

Entrepreneurs want freedom to innovate. No lengthy forms, filing fees, or non-compete restrictions would enable them to focus on translating ideas into business ventures, not on burdensome compliance.  It’s possible -- in Colorado, the Governor reduced the fee for starting a new business to one dollar.

They also need access to capital. Establishing new development banks for entrepreneurs, waiving taxes on early revenue, and enabling new businesses to compete fairly for public contracts would be a good start. Innovative financing models are emerging, such as Collab Capital in Atlanta, Novel Growth Partners in Kansas City and Founders First in San Diego. 

Starting a business can strain families and households, but policy can help. Tax deductions or credits could minimize childcare costs, health insurance can be made more accessible and affordable, and mortgage lenders should treat entrepreneurs the same way they treat employees.

AI and technologies are changing our world and displacing our workforce.  Our educational system needs to keep pace by equipping students with entrepreneurial inspiration and skills with courses of study and degrees that reward innovation, so everyone has the ability to start enterprises that meet the demands of an increasingly complex age. 

Such efforts take leadership from Governors, Mayors and others.  They also need focused attention – such as an Office of Entrepreneurship for every state, city and county. Nevada was the first state to pass a Right to Start Act, establishing such an office. Missouri, Indiana, New Mexico, and Kansas followed with similar legislation or executive action.

This plan is not charity.  It is strategy. New businesses create nearly all net new jobs in America. They fuel competition, drive productivity, boost household incomes, and renew communities. Every thriving business today—Ford, Apple, Amazon—was once a fragile new idea. Somewhere in America, the next idea waits for its chance.

America the Entrepreneurial is a movement to support today’s pioneers and bring needed change in communities and states -- an invitation to enlist 250,000 Americans to help clear the ground for millions of Americans to start their own enterprises.

As America – a startup nation -- celebrates its 250^th birthday in the coming year, let’s remember that to support entrepreneurs is to support America itself.  For in every entrepreneur lives the promise of our nation’s next chapter. And in supporting them, we write the story of our future together.

Victor Hwang is CEO of Right to Start.  John Bridgeland is CEO of More Perfect.  They are Co-Chairs of America the Entrepreneurial. 

(Julian Cañete, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce) - Running a small business in California can feel like death by a thousand policies. With over 420,000 restrictions – more than triple the national average of 136,000 – on everything from notifications to duplicative permits, it’s no secret that the Golden State is massively overregulated. These regulations often impose costly compliance burdens on businesses without accomplishing the well-intentioned goals they set out to achieve. And for California’s small businesses, many of these policies can be the difference between success and failure.

We need to be clear eyed in recognizing how California’s mountain of red tape is stifling thousands of businesses that are working harder than ever to create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen our communities. Unfortunately today, our system of overregulation is hitting small, community-rooted businesses the hardest and they simply can’t afford any new and costly regulations. That’s because adding compliance costs and administrative burdens can be debilitating, forcing entrepreneurs to spend more time navigating a labyrinth of permits and documentation rather than growing their business.

California creates impediments for entrepreneurs from the day they come up with an idea for a new business. Securing a permit to even open a business is a long and arduous process that involves navigating a maze of city, county, health, fire, signage, and industry‑specific permits – a process which can take months, or even years in extreme cases. And once you are up and running, the stack of paperwork – and bills – only gets higher. In fact, in cities like San Francisco, it can take nearly two years to get a building permit for a multi-family project, driving up costs or making developers and other businesses flee the state.

But our state’s problems with overregulation are far beyond the very clear permitting issues.

Take for example the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which was pitched as a way to give local consumers more control over their personal information and data. While well-intentioned, this law shifted the real burden onto businesses who have to pony up for sky-high compliance fees and new IT software or risk facing hefty penalties. For smaller businesses and start-ups, these costs are a knockout blow – research shows that California small businesses will bear $9 billion of the law’s in-state costs as a result of these kinds of requirements - and that’s just one example.

There are many other well-meaning, but miscalculated policies that are killing our state’s economy. This includes the annual minimum wage hikes that have already led to job cuts and certainly contributed to higher costs to consumers. There are also laws on the books that foster predatory shakedown lawsuits to force quick settlements instead of costly litigation. And now, despite progress made through last year’s much-needed reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) - which curbed many of these predatory lawsuits on businesses - lawmakers are already trying to roll them back, again leaving small businesses exposed to costly, frivolous litigation. All of this is on top of existing hyper-specific state rules governing every industry that few small companies can manage, let alone keep track of.

California’s climate of overregulation is hurting our state - whether it’s our rising unemployment rates, soaring housing costs, or the mountain of red tape entrepreneurs face, it’s no wonder California continues to be ranked dead last as the worst state for business since at least 2014.

This isn’t a call to action – it’s a call to pause and rethink. Government needs to stop burdening our small businesses so that they can nurture their own California Dream, benefiting all of us through new jobs, increased economic activity, revitalized neighborhoods, and a broadened tax base to support important needed community benefits. Lawmakers must prioritize smart and sensible policies that keep our economic engine growing rather than regressing and contributing to an environment of overly strict red tape. Since the pioneer days, our state has been a bellwether for innovation and leadership, attracting eager entrepreneurs from around the world. Don’t regulate us out of existence.

Julian Cañete is the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC), California’s premier organization dedicated to promoting the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and businesses statewide.

(Madison Roberts, Contributor) - The Rise of Digital-First Healthcare

The telehealth and direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare industries are undergoing a seismic transformation. The global online pharmacy market, valued at $69.25 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $210.35 billion by 2028. Similarly, the telehealth market, which stood at $144.38 billion in 2020, is expected to soar past $636 billion by 2028. These numbers underscore a massive shift in healthcare delivery, where convenience, technology, and personalization are becoming the norm.

At the forefront of this revolution is Bask Health, a telehealth infrastructure company that enables entrepreneurs to build and scale digital healthcare brands seamlessly. Whether you’re a doctor, pharmacist, or entrepreneur, Bask Health provides a fully integrated, white-label platform designed to remove the complexity from launching a telehealth business.

Unlike traditional healthcare platforms, which require businesses to piece together multiple systems—such as electronic medical records (EMRs), e-commerce tools, compliance frameworks, and pharmacy integrations—Bask Health provides an all-in-one, enterprise-grade solution that is powerful enough for large enterprises yet intuitive enough for small startups.

What is Bask Health?

Building a Fully Integrated Telehealth Business

Founded on the principles of flexibility, compliance, and ease of use, Bask Health is redefining telehealth. It offers a complete, no-code or API-driven platform for launching and operating DTC healthcare brands. Whether you're creating a weight-loss clinic, dermatology brand, or specialty pharmacy, Bask Health eliminates the need for custom development, expensive software engineers, or prolonged setup times.

Core Offerings

• White-Label Telehealth Engine – Build a branded telehealth business from patient intake to prescription fulfillment.
• End-to-End Compliance & Security – HIPAA, SOC-2, Surescript and LegitScript compliance ensure patient data is protected.
• Customizable Patient Workflows – No-code intake form builders, dynamic questionnaires, and asynchronous patient assessments.
• Built-In Pharmacy Fulfillment – Nationwide network of commercial and compounding pharmacies.
• E-commerce & Payments – Fully integrated checkout solutions for subscription and one-time purchases.
• Scalable API-First Infrastructure – Developers can build on top of Bask’s headless API architecture to create custom telehealth applications.

How Bask Health is Changing the Telehealth Industry

A ‘Shopify for Telehealth’ Approach

Traditional telehealth companies face a long and complex development process—finding an EMR provider, negotiating pharmacy deals, ensuring compliance, and building secure payment processing. Bask Health eliminates this friction by offering pre-built infrastructure that allows businesses to launch within days instead of months.

“We’ve built a platform that lets any telehealth entrepreneur launch a fully operational brand without having to reinvent the wheel,” says Bask Health’s CEO & Founder Zachary Dorf. “With built-in provider networks, automated prescription fulfillment, and seamless payments, we’ve taken care of the backend so businesses can focus on patient care.”

The Power of Automation & No-Code Tools

One of the standout features of Bask Health is its emphasis on automation and user-friendly design. Entrepreneurs without a development background can build patient intake forms, automate follow-up workflows, and manage prescriptions without writing a single line of code. This ease of use has made Bask Health the go-to platform for both first-time healthcare entrepreneurs and large-scale telehealth brands.

API-Driven Flexibility for Custom Solutions

For companies that require more advanced customization, Bask Health’s headless telehealth architecture enables developers to build bespoke telehealth solutions. The API-powered infrastructure allows seamless integration with third-party systems, payment processors, and analytics platforms.

Success Stories: How Businesses are Scaling with Bask Health

Case Study: From Concept to Nationwide Telehealth Launch

Phong Truong, PharmD, CEO & Founder of Ivy Rx had extensive experience in pharmacy but no background in software development. Yet, he was able to launch a nationwide telehealth platform in a matter of days using Bask Health’s no-code solutions.

“While my experience is in pharmacy, Bask’s doctor group and platform allowed for a seamless nationwide launch. I’m also not a developer, but with the no-code solutions, I was able to launch our telehealth business in just a matter of days. The platform’s ease of use and built-in tools helped me focus on growing our patient base while delivering top-tier healthcare remotely.” – Phong Truong, PharmD, CEO & Founder, Ivy Rx

Case Study: Driving Operational Efficiency for Established Healthcare Companies

Dr. Rebecca Emch, VP of Pharmacy Operations at Eden, credits Bask Health for streamlining internal operations and providing real-time business insights.

“Bask has been a cornerstone in our growth at Eden since we first started as a company. Their EHR solutions have not only streamlined our processes but also provided invaluable insights into our business that have helped shape our strategic decisions. They consistently deliver software upgrades that enhance functionality, keeping pace with industry needs. We truly appreciate how responsive they are to feedback, making improvements based on partner requests. Bask’s dedication to innovation and collaboration has been instrumental to our success, and we look forward to what the future holds.” – Dr. Rebecca Emch, VP of Pharmacy Operations, Eden

Case Study: Telehealth Startup Success

Paul DiMuzio, Founder of Locklab, highlights how Bask Health simplified his telehealth company’s launch:

“The Bask team really cares about their customers and is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure we’re taken care of. The ease of use and turnkey nature of the platform really helped us launch our business. We couldn’t recommend them more to anyone starting a telemedicine company. Choose Bask if you want to be supported by a company that cares about your success.” – Paul DiMuzio, Founder, Locklab

The Future of Telehealth: Why Bask Health is Poised for Growth

With over 100 telehealth companies powered by Bask, the platform is already a dominant force in digital healthcare. As consumer demand for digital-first healthcare solutions continues to rise, Bask Health is positioned to be the leading infrastructure provider for entrepreneurs, pharmacies, and established healthcare brands alike.

The company is continuously evolving, integrating AI-powered analytics, advanced automation tools, and new pharmacy partnerships to further optimize the telehealth experience.

“We envision a world where launching a telehealth business is as simple as starting an e-commerce store,” says the Bask Health President and Co-Founder Elias Dorf. “We’re not just a platform—we’re an ecosystem that supports businesses in delivering exceptional patient care.”

Join the Future of Telehealth

Bask Health is democratizing access to digital healthcare entrepreneurship. Whether you’re an independent provider, a startup founder, or an enterprise organization, Bask Health provides the tools, compliance, and infrastructure needed to succeed in telehealth.

• Schedule a Demo – See how Bask Health can power your telehealth business.
• Talk to Experts – Learn how to integrate Bask’s platform into your existing operations.
• Start Your Digital Healthcare Journey Today!

(NewsUSA) - Tax policy is set for a pivotal year and while most will focus on potential corporate tax rate changes, a new issue is emerging: the role of AI in tax preparation.

Recently, an influx of AI-driven "pop up" tech firms have entered the market, claiming to be faster and cheaper than traditional tax consulting firms when filing for tax credits. However, these firms lack professional tax and legal expertise required to navigate complex filings.

When filing R&D tax credits, AI-driven tech firms can misinterpret tax laws and make mistakes exposing businesses and CPAs to IRS audits and fines. AI software lacks the judgment required for tax compliance and interpreting the law.

Even on simpler tasks, AI hasn't been accurate. A 2024 Washington Post review found AI chatbots used by major tax preparation firms provided inaccurate responses up to 50 percent of the time, reinforcing IRS's warning against AI reliance for complex tax questions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) criticized the IRS's own AI-powered audit system, highlighting potential inaccuracies in tax compliance.

Meanwhile, the IRS stands to lose revenue if AI-generated filings result in a large increase in fraudulent or incorrect deductions. This feels eerily similar to the wave of fraudulent Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims that led the IRS to freeze processing last year after pop-up firms flooded the market with improper filings—many that are now under investigation.

New AI-driven "pop-up" tech firms, like SPRX, market their software as a low-cost alternative to professional tax firms when filing R&D tax credits despite not being around long enough to make it through an audit cycle yet. They also don't disclose how their systems are trained. SPRX claims automation can handle up to 80 percent of the process, but automation cannot make legal and technical expertise required to determine eligibility, including nuanced legal judgments and employee interviews.

These firms try to promote the idea that AI-driven tax services can replace tax firms and CPA's expertise, but human judgment remains essential in ensuring accuracy and compliance. AI should be seen as a tool, not as a replacement for tax professionals.

Without proper safeguards, relying on these "pop-up" AI tech firms to secure your R&D tax credit could result in the IRS denying your submittal, cost your business thousands or even millions of dollars, and it could also land your business in hot water with the IRS incurring fines, audits and potential fraud.

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA)

(NewsUSA)

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