Ideas | The Vertical

Top 5 Mistakes Immigrant Entrepreneurs Make on LinkedIn

- Development
- Ideas

Many international founders in the U.S. hesitate to express their voices on social media. Skylar Steudter, an expert in LinkedIn branding, pinpoints mistakes that hinder immigrant entrepreneurs from building their digital presence.

The Vertical announces IMMIGRANT FOUNDERS REPORT 2024. Showcase your leadership in supporting diversity

- Community
- Development
- Entrepreneurs
- Funding
- Ideas
- Immigration
- Life
- Sales
- Strategy

The Vertical’s Immigrant Founders Report is the first in-depth examination of international talent in the U.S. startup ecosystem.

Why hunger is necessary for innovation: How Parkinson’s Law hinders startup success

- Ideas
- Strategy

Staying “hungry” is a critical mindset for founders. But what is ‘hunger’ and why is it important? It's not necessarily a craving to be innovative or a desire to push forward. As paradoxically as it sounds, for early-stage startups, having limited resources can actually be their most important advantage.

The pitfalls of mentorship and “Smart Money” in startups

Leaning too heavily on a mentor's guidance can foster unhealthy dependency, impede necessary pivots, and stifle innovation, writes serial entrepreneur Michael Burtov. What are the red flags?

Driving disruption: Amazon’s expansion into car sales and what startups can learn from it

- Ideas
- Strategy

Amazon’s new partnership with Hyundai represents a seismic shift for the auto industry. Can brand extensions be a growth strategy for diverse startup founders with their limited resources?

3 Strategies in Surviving the 2024 AI Hype Cycle

- Ideas
- Strategy

Startups that are now jumping into the AI gold rush will most likely fall victim to the hype and eventually crash, believes the lifelong entrepreneur and mentor Michael Burtov. As we head into 2024, what can founders learn from the tech bubbles of the past in order to survive and prosper?

SAFE for VCs, not so safe for startups

- Ideas
- Strategy

In recent years, “SAFE” notes have become one of the most common ways for early-stage startups to raise capital in the U.S. Still, most international founders have never heard of them. Lifelong entrepreneur and innovation consultant Michael Burtov explains the challenges these notes present to startups and angel investors.

Lessons from WeWork: When real estate pretends to be a tech startup

- Ideas
- Strategy

The recent bankruptcy filing of WeWork, the shared office space company once valued at $47 billion, offers a sobering lesson for startup founders tempted by packaging traditional business models as earth-shattering ideas.

The scamming pandemic: How not to get screwed as a startup

- Ideas
- Strategy

From fake investors and obscure media to false mentorship and compliance threats — the list of scams that startup founders face in the U.S. is endless. Lifelong entrepreneur Michael Burtov explains how to navigate the dark waters of the scamming pandemic and steer clear of traps.

Why you shouldn’t expect anyone to sign your NDA

- Ideas
- Strategy

Many immigrant startup founders believe that a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a sophisticated method for safeguarding their ideas. Lifelong entrepreneur Michael Burtov explains why this is a detrimental practice that is likely to hurt your startup's fundraising prospects.