In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, any shift in governmental policy can send ripples across industries, especially in burgeoning fields like artificial intelligence. As the U.S. government under President Donald Trump seeks to block state-level AI regulations in favor of a federal standard, entrepreneurs worldwide are left interpreting this shift. For some, it’s a red flag; for others, a golden opportunity. Violetta Bonenkamp, a serial entrepreneur and expert in cross-disciplinary innovation, sees this moment as a litmus test for agile startups eager to turn challenges into opportunity.
“I believe that uncertainty always creates an opening,” Bonenkamp explains. “For startups, especially in AI or deep tech, the groundwork isn’t simply about advancing technology but about navigating the regulations and compliance structures around it. The question is not, ‘Is this scary?’ but rather, ‘How do we adapt to prove value in this new context?’”
Let’s look at how the landscape is shifting, the opportunity it brings, and what founders like Bonenkamp believe can set a startup apart during such turbulent times.
The Context: Trump’s Federal Push Against State AI Laws
President Trump is preparing an executive order to preempt state-level AI laws, according to reports from sources like WIRED and Reuters. The move seeks to battle what the administration calls a patchwork of “burdensome” state regulations on AI innovation, promising to shoulder the legal and federal-level review process instead.
Here’s what we know:
- The draft order aims to challenge state laws that regulate artificial intelligence via lawsuits or by withholding federal funding from states that enforce restrictive rules.
- AI companies, many backed by venture capital, often cite state rules as innovation barriers. A federal mandate could streamline compliance, but the challenge lies in proving compliance under these federal standards.
This is where businesses like Seattle’s Glacis are stepping in, offering solutions to help companies document AI safety processes across varied regulatory frameworks.
The Startup Landscape: Glacis’ Approach
Enter Glacis: a Seattle-based startup that has positioned itself as a trusted intermediary in AI compliance. Glacis is not just focused on helping businesses meet government regulations but is creating a secure, tamper-proof system for proving what AI systems are doing under the hood. Their unique product creates “receipts” for every AI decision, acting as a validation system for developers, regulators, and even insurers.
What makes Glacis’ model revolutionary is its adaptability. The tool essentially works as an “AI flight recorder,” tracking decisions without exposing user data. For early adopters in the healthcare, fintech, and insurance sectors, this innovation could ensure compliance audits are seamless and reduce operational delays when questions of accountability arise.
Violetta Bonenkamp views this shift as part of a larger regulatory wave. “Startups need to view compliance not as paperwork but as infrastructure,” she says. “Glacis is an example of a company recognizing that in a volatile market, proving the ‘how’ is more valuable than simply building the ‘what.’ The direction Trump’s policies are taking just accelerates this demand.”
What This Means for Entrepreneurs
Regulatory uncertainty might feel like a death knell for innovation, but seasoned entrepreneurs recognize the hidden opportunities within. Let’s break down three tangible ways founders can tap into this moment:
1. Become the Infrastructure
Startups like Glacis and others leveraging compliance tools are proving that helping others meet regulatory standards is a booming niche. Entrepreneurs should look for ways to become enablers in their ecosystems, providing infrastructure that reduces operational or regulatory friction.
Example to Consider: Cloudflare’s Launchpad program is already helping nascent startups like Glacis launch tools designed for heightened AI security and compliance requirements.
2. Leverage Federal Focus for Grants and Contracts
One of the benefits of federal preemption is oftentimes increased grant funding for research and infrastructure. Entrepreneurs should keep an eye on national budgets and agencies announcing tech-focused funding when federal strategies prioritize one industry (like AI).
Bonenkamp notes, “Many of my startups over the years have successfully captured national and EU grants during moments when regulation-heavy policies were introduced. The key is aligning your startup’s pitch with solving national challenges or answering federal priorities, such as AI accountability.”
Startups can explore resources like the NSF SBIR program or federal AI challenge awards, which encourage innovation in compliance-heavy spaces.
3. Build for Scalability Beyond the U.S.
With nations worldwide introducing their own AI regulations, including Europe’s rigorous Artificial Intelligence Act, startups that want to reach global markets must create adaptable compliance systems. Rather than building only for the U.S. federal level, startups should aim for frameworks that could scale to meet worldwide standards.
“European compliance models require strict, provable safety measures, and if startups solve for Europe, they often outperform competitors when scaling to other regions. Smart entrepreneurs address the most complex market first,” Bonenkamp advises.
Insights from Violetta Bonenkamp: A How-to Guide for AI Startups Facing Regulation
Bonenkamp, drawing from her years of cross-disciplinary expertise, shares this guide for startups hoping to thrive in a regulation-heavy future:
-
Understand Why Compliance Is a Competitive Edge
Don’t shy away from regulatory obstacles. Building robust accountability measures, as Glacis has done, positions your startup as a reliable, scalable solution for enterprise and government clients. -
Invest in Partnerships
Collaborate with thought leaders, incubators, and accelerators. Programs like Yes! Delft can offer invaluable networking to navigate regulatory red tape alongside industry experts. -
Open-Source Strategic Components
By releasing simplified versions of compliance tools as open-source software, startups can raise their visibility and credibility in the legal-tech ecosystem, a proven strategy from Bonenkamp’s own ventures. -
Educate Your Customers
Implementing complex regulations is tough for your customers too. Include workshops, manuals, or APIs that clearly help stakeholders understand how your solution solves their compliance problems. -
Trust in Agility
“If you’re in the AI game, your roadmap must include pivots. The regulatory tide changes fast,” says Bonenkamp. “The worst thing you can do is build rigid systems preoccupied only with today’s problems.”
Common Mistakes Startups Should Avoid
- Underestimating Regulatory Risks: Assuming your innovation will fly under the radar of state or federal authorities can lead to hefty setbacks.
- Ignoring Cross-Border Compatibility: Failing to design frameworks for Europe or Asia can limit growth when opportunities expand overseas.
- Overhyping Innovation: Without actionable, provable safety measures, even the most innovative AI solutions can remain “uninsurable.”
Concluding Thoughts
As President Trump attempts to alter the landscape of AI regulations in the U.S., startups have a choice: retreat in fear of compliance burdens or evolve by building systems that demonstrate transparency, safety, and reliability. For entrepreneurs like Violetta Bonenkamp, this moment represents more than a challenge; it’s an undeniable opportunity to lead the charge in redefining trust in AI.
The question entrepreneurs need to ask themselves, Bonenkamp concludes, is not just how to meet the new rules but how to anticipate what comes next, and leverage it toward market success.
For founders looking for inspiration, look no further than examples like Glacis, or Violetta herself, who continues to champion navigating complexity as the anchor of entrepreneurial growth.
FAQ
1. What is the Trump administration’s objective in targeting state AI laws?
The Trump administration seeks to preempt state-level AI regulations through a federal mandate, aiming to streamline compliance for AI companies and remove what it describes as “burdensome” state rules. Read more about Trump’s plan
2. How does Seattle-based startup Glacis fit into this regulatory shift?
Glacis has positioned itself as a compliance solution provider, offering tamper-proof “receipts” for AI decisions to help companies meet federal standards while ensuring transparency and accountability. Learn more about Glacis’ approach
3. What technology solution does Glacis provide?
Glacis creates an “AI flight recorder” that tracks AI decisions securely, enabling companies to demonstrate regulatory compliance without exposing sensitive user data. Explore Glacis’ technology
4. How could Trump’s federal mandate impact funding opportunities for startups?
Federal preemption might open new doors for startups to access national grants and contracts designed to encourage AI innovation within federally compliant frameworks. Understand federal funding opportunities
5. Why is AI compliance considered a competitive edge for startups?
Building robust accountability measures, as startups like Glacis demonstrate, can position companies as trusted solutions in regulated industries, ensuring scalability and reliability in compliance-heavy markets.
6. What advice does Violetta Bonenkamp offer to startups navigating complex regulations?
Bonenkamp emphasizes viewing compliance as infrastructure, investing in partnerships, open-sourcing components, educating customers, and maintaining agility to adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes.
7. Can startups benefit from additional resources in Seattle for development?
Seattle’s AI-focused incubators and advisories, such as those supported by AI2 Incubator and Cloudflare’s Launchpad program, provide critical networking and development opportunities for startups building compliance solutions.
8. How does preemption of state AI laws tie into global scalability for startups?
Focusing on compliance systems that meet the strictest regulations, such as Europe’s AI Act, positions startups to scale internationally by providing frameworks adaptable to various markets.
9. What examples illustrate Glacis’ pilot focus industries?
Glacis is actively engaging early adopters in highly regulated sectors like healthcare, fintech, and insurance to test and refine its compliance solutions for widescale adoption. Learn about pilot industries
10. Which mistakes should startups avoid during this regulatory transition?
Common pitfalls include underestimating regulatory risks, failing to build cross-border compatible systems, and focusing solely on innovation without incorporating provable safety measures critical for insurability.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.