[author: Jared Brenner]

Some interesting links we found across the web this week:

Congressional Panel To Investigate The Fairness Of Pay TV Billing, Competitive Practices
There was plenty of startup news out of DC this week, starting with the Senate’s announcement yesterday that it will thoroughly investigate the traditional cable TV industry. It’s a promising step forward for a notoriously anticompetitive sector ripe for disruption by startups. We’ll be watching.

As Feds Crack Down On Payday Lenders, Fintech Startups See An Opportunity
Meanwhile, the often predatory payday loan industry is floundering under criticism by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, strengthening the market for fintech startups who want to serve subprime borrowers without destroying their credit. (Bonus link: fintech isn’t just huge on the east coast—it’s a global trend. That said, we’re still proud to sponsor this summer’s Startupbootcamp FinTech New York accelerator!)

The Pentagon Reboots Its Silicon Valley Outpost
And over at the Department of Defense, decision making at the highest levels continues to trend in favor of the startup market, as the Secretary himself has begun directly supervising the Department’s experimental outpost in Silicon Valley, DIUx. The program is engaging with hundreds of startups and directly funding a handful—keep it in mind as an alternative to angels and VCs if your product seems like a fit.

Med Tech Will Turn 100 Years of Age Into the New 60 Years
Check out the highlights from a keynote this week by an expert on medtech startups. These ideas were just too cool not to share. (Real-life tricorders? 3D-printed pills and exoskeletons? On-demand healthcare?  Yes please!)

Tech Incubators on a Mission of Diversity
We love this New York Times profile of Blue1647, a nonprofit incubator in Chicago promoting diversity in entrepreneurship by teaching coding skills in underserved markets. Education may be the great equalizer, but tech can certainly help!

How “Silicon Valley” Nails Silicon Valley
We’ll be catching up on the show this weekend after reading this deep dive behind the scenes. If you’re a fan, it’s an absolute must-read. See you next week!