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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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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.
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5 immigrant women entrepreneurs driving the future of health

In the wake of the Elizabeth Holmes scandal, more than ever women HealthTech entrepreneurs and innovators find it challenging to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Here are five determined and resolute women who overcame tremendous personal and professional obstacles to build a successful HealthTech startup.
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Revisit the Pivot: How international startups can “make lemonade” out of their failures in America

Many tech companies are moving to the U.S. after enjoying success in their local European, Asian, or LatAm markets. But the American reality turns out to be different than expected. Products, approaches, and sometimes business concepts that worked well at home often fail in the U.S. After pouring resources into the world’s most competitive market, many leave disappointed. But there’s a way for them to change this. Star entrepreneur Mike Burtov, who has helped multiple startups grow, recommends immigrant founders to “make lemonade out of lemons” and embrace the pivot.
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Ideas worth stealing: Advice for immigrant founders from lifelong entrepreneur Mike Burtov

The key to success in business often lies in the culture. Many immigrant entrepreneurs are struggling in the U.S. because they lack sufficient understanding of their customers’ hidden motives to drive sales and innovation. Michael Burtov, serial venture-backed founder and the author of Evergreen Startup, a book that helps entrepreneurs raise capital, recently discovered an unusual and innovative approach to consumer behavior in a cup of coffee. He shared his observations in this exclusive article for The Vertical.
The national arts and crafts festival "Kyrgyz shyrdagy" at At-Bashi District the Naryn region, Kyrgyzstan. Credit: Shutterstock

When carpets fly: Central Asia eyes new role as tech hub

Until recently, Central Asia remained a blank spot on the world’s tech map. However, as startup infrastructure develops in the region, increasing numbers of local entrepreneurs are aiming to launch their solutions in the U.S. and globally. 
Clubhouse co-founder Rohan Seth. Credit: Rohan Seth/Twitter

How Indian American Clubhouse co-founder Rohan Seth started a global audio revolution

Launched in April 2020, the audio-only app Clubhouse now has more than 10 million weekly active users around the world. Its success has led to Twitter introducing Spaces, Spotify launching Greenroom, and Facebook announcing live audio rooms. Despite the Clubhouse boom, few users are aware that one of the app’s co-founders, Rohan Seth, was born in India and raised in its capital city, Delhi.