NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Call it the Uber and Airbnb effect.
These companies have had to fight high-profile regulatory battles in cities across the country, going up against the taxi and hotel industries. But they’ve had one big ally on their side: the public.
Younger startups aren’t so lucky. Less established, they have smaller user bases to draw from — and entrenched interests are getting smarter about taking them on early.
“The fights are coming sooner and startups have to be prepared sooner,” according to regulatory adviser Bradley Tusk, who says he created his investment fund to solve political problems for startups.
Tusk, who has worked with companies like Uber, says regulated industries are paying attention to startups early. And startups should take note.
“If [startups are] in a regulated industry and they ignore the politics, they may not survive and everything they want to focus on won’t matter,” added Tusk.
Joel Wishkovsky, founder of Simple Contacts, is learning this firsthand.
Simple Contacts is a startup that lets people renew their contact prescription online or through its app.
People take a vision test online, which is reviewed by doctors. If a prescription hasn’t changed, it’s renewed and you can buy a fresh supply of lenses for $10.
But, facing opposition from optometrists, Simple Contacts’ ability to operate has been challenged in 16 states.
Optometrists, who you might see at a LensCrafters or WalMart, focus on conducting annual eye exams and selling contacts or glasses. Ophthalmologists, meanwhile, are doctors who can diagnose, operate, and conduct research on a range of eye issues.
Simple Contacts, headquartered in New York, works with about 20 ophthalmologists…