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I almost joined the Newchip accelerator right before it collapsed. Was it a scam? Here’s what I recommend to other founders.

The recent collapse of Newchip, one of the world’s biggest accelerators, was a shock to the venture ecosystem. Bjorn Erik Hansen, founder and CEO at INTIEM, an AI-based SexTech solution, believes the organization's business model was an intentional deception. Just a few days before news of the bankruptcy became public, his Miami-based startup had said "no" to joining Newchip’s new cohort.
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Do investors steal the ideas you pitch them? Yes, all the time, and here’s why.

Tales about devious investors conniving to take advantage of aspiring entrepreneurs have been circulating in the tech community for a while. Most founders dismiss such stories as urban legends, but in fact, some VCs do steal ideas from early stage startups in order to boost their own struggling portfolio companies. Immigrant entrepreneurs, who have limited access to capital and are often overly eager to find an investor, should approach fundraising with caution, warns Michael Burtov, a star mentor and lifelong entrepreneur.
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Immigrant entrepreneurs created ChatGPT. Is AI a superior alternative to our flawed systems or a dystopian hellscape?

Artificial intelligence (AI) recently entered the long list of epoch-making technological innovations credited to the hard work of immigrant founders. ChatGTP, which was developed by Open AI, a company that was launched by an international team, has been making headlines over the past few months. Mike Burtov, a star entrepreneur and mentor, is wondering whether AI will usher in a glorious future for humanity or could prove to be a ticking time bomb.
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Is bootstrapping the most destructive American startup fantasy?

Stories of entrepreneurs, coming from humble beginnings and building their businesses from scratch, is an inspiration for many immigrant founders. However, not all of them are real, warns lifelong entrepreneur and mentor Michael Burtov. The ultimate American dream might be just a fantasy for those dreamers coming to the land of opportunity with no capital or connections.
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Permissionless innovation: How to survive the Wild West of entrepreneurship

When it comes to new technology, America still has a “Wild West” culture, where the line isn’t always clear between pioneers and outlaws. Mike Burtov, a star entrepreneur and mentor who brought multiple startups from their initial idea to millions in revenue and funding, believes that “fortune favors the bold” who have a worldview with no limits. He recommends immigrant startup founders to embrace the concept of “permissionless innovation” if they want to succeed.
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Are startup accelerators a bad idea for immigrant tech entrepreneurs?

Accelerators assist founders with fundraising and help foster relationships with fellow entrepreneurs and mentors. But many also have toxic cultures, unrealistic expectations, relentless focus on fundraising, and simply waste your time with unproductive activities. This begs the question: Are accelerators bad for you? Mike Burtov, a star entrepreneur and founder, reflects on the dark side of the innovation ecosystem in the U.S.