Technology for deployable clean water, clean air, and reliable electricity should be as important as new bombs

Startups should not be treated the same as companies with 499 employees. There needs to be a new category, established by executive order, called “microbusiness” which will include companies having fewer than 20 employees. Such a definition would be implemented in departmental regulations. The intent would be to set aside a protected class for grant applications and other technology development, patent fees, tax relief/deferment, and federally-mandated paperwork.
Microbusinesses should be exempt from patent “ fees” which are basically just taxes and tantamount, punishment for inventors. There is no good reason for such exactions. The money does not go to improve the Patent Office, but is just another revenue stream disappearing into the deficit. STOP CORPERATE WELFARE!