Y Combinator hires Yelp policy chief Luther Lowe, best known for his public criticism of Google, to lead public policy, as the accelerator embraces politics
Best known for his relentless public criticism of Google as a monopoly, longtime Yelp public policy chief Luther Lowe has a new gig: heading up policy efforts for Y Combinator.
Axios Kia Kokalitcheva
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Discussion
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@lutherlowe
Luther Lowe
on x
Some professional news: I started at @YCombinator yesterday in a newly created role, Head of Public Policy. I'm super excited about the next chapter in my career, and couldn't be more thrilled to be working with @garrytan and the incredible folks at YC: 🔗https://puck.news/...
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@garrytan
@garrytan
on x
@EricNewcomer ... Ultimately even if you want an exit via M&A it's better to have 5 companies competing to buy you rather than 1-2 - competition improves valuation and leverage in deal terms. Selling to monopolist with gun to your head is not the only fate.
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@andrewjb_
Andrew Bennett
on x
More GDP is being regulated. We @formventureshq work with the best founders to optimise their regulatory strategy like they would any other function. Great that @ycombinator getting into policy too
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@iamdcinvestor
@iamdcinvestor
on x
@garrytan ... needed now more than ever because AI could spur an insane amount of anti-competitive moves likely already being architected in back rooms by the usuals modern tech monopolies could look quaint by comparison please also consider using your positions to advocate for o…
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@matthewstoller
Matt Stoller
on x
Competition is *good* for business and *good* for stock prices.
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@can
@can
on x
Anti-monopoly has officially gone mainstream!
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@teddyschleifer
Teddy Schleifer
on x
NEW @PuckNews — @LutherLowe, who for the last fifteen years has been at Yelp and a thorn in the side of Big Tech, has left Yelp and is joining @garrytan and Y Combinator at YC's first ever head of Public Policy. https://puck.news/...
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@pasternack
@pasternack
on x
Big tech is using its dominance ‘to control critical AI applications & data sets, further limiting consumer choice & tightening their vice grip on tech innovation in America.’ But a revived senate bill could help —@lutherlowe in his last oped as VP at Yelp https://www.fastcompany…
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@garrytan
@garrytan
on x
@EricNewcomer ... It's about protecting little tech and preserving a level playing field for all startups
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@alexisohanian
@alexisohanian
on x
Huge win for YC as they move deeper into DC and politics. I predict @garrytan runs in 3 years!
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@garrytan
@garrytan
on x
I am over the moon that on this timeline I get to work with Luther Lowe. What a badass this amazing human being is 🚀
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@garrytan
@garrytan
on x
You may not be interested in politics but politics is interested in you At YC we will be one of the few and the proud to be full throated about preserving and defending technological startup exceptionalism and excellence [image]
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@loomdoop
Y Disassembler
on x
Oh look. Y Combinator is creating an in-house corporate lobbying team.
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@jbsdc
Justin Slaughter
on x
Great hire by @ycombinator - @lutherlowe is one of the savviest and sharpest fighters and operators in politics. Excited to see the energy and drive he brought to Yelp come to his new firm and the broader start-up community!
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@ericnewcomer
Eric Newcomer
on x
@garrytan ... Is there a tension between tech antitrust's effect of discouraging M&A (which startups count on for exits) vs. stopping big tech companies from doing anticompetitive stuff that blocks new startups. Would expect YC to support the latter more than the former