Ideas 2 | The Vertical

The Peacock and the Octopus:How showmanship harms you and your business

While standing out is undeniably crucial in a crowded marketplace, an excessive emphasis on appearance over substance is eroding the foundation of entrepreneurship. The lifelong entrepreneur, mentor, and inventor Michael Burtov explains how “peacocking” might be hurting your venture and the startup ecosystem.

Are startups overly dependent on Big Tech? A case for digital sovereignty.

Startups have always been entwined in a complex web of reliance on tech giants. But this dependence seems to be growing as the global tech industry matures, writes serial entrepreneur Michael Burtov. What risks might immigrant entrepreneurs expect to face in the U.S.?

Why Uber is actually a law firm: How stealth business models shape the U.S. tech industry

In the highly saturated U.S. market, hidden narratives are shaping the competitive landscape. Many innovative tech companies are not what you think they are. Immigrant founders should learn to rewrite the rules of the game, recommends lifelong entrepreneur and startup consultant Michael Burtov.

5 AI companies started by immigrant entrepreneurs

In “2019 AI 50”, the Forbes list of the most promising AI startups in the U.S., about 66% of the companies had at least one immigrant founder. How did these entrepreneurs make their way in the tech world and pioneer the future of AI?

She who rules the data: 3 immigrant female entrepreneurs in Big Data

These immigrant women entrepreneurs are leaders in one of the world’s most significant, fastest-growing industries. The global big data market is projected to reach more than $473 billion by 2030.

The voice of leadership: How can immigrant fempreneurs improve their communication style?

Since the world of Tech has been historically male-dominated, the “voice of leadership” tends to be male. Women entrepreneurs – and immigrants in particular — should look for their own unique style, writes Lisa Patti, communication coach and founder at C3Speech.

The second mouse gets the cheese: The myth of “first-mover advantage.”

Startups from Asia and Eastern Europe have been borrowing and successfully localizing ideas from their U.S. counterparts for years. In fact, there are advantages to being a “second mover”, says serial entrepreneur Michael Burtov. This strategy can be especially beneficial for startups founded by immigrants.

3 Tips to help founders build productive bonds with mentors

Great mentorship is often a game-changer for international founders launching a new business in unfamiliar terrain. Whether you are looking for an expert in your industry or someone who appreciates the nuances of your immigrant background, you need the right strategy. Katja Wald, an expert in coaching programs for entrepreneurs, shares three tips for building exceptional synergy with a mentor.

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.

Florida has earned a name as a global startup destination. But can it keep the party going?

During lockdowns in major tech hubs such as New York and Boston, VCs and founders from around the world found refuge in Florida’s warm embrace. What’s next for this wild west of entrepreneurship now that the pandemic is over and the U.S. economy starts to slow down?

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.

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.

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.

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.

According to a study by the University of Washington and Indiana University, 97% of bullies were also victims. Credit: Shutterstock

This LatAm anti-bullying solution went where it’s needed — to Texas.

Young LatinX entrepreneurs created an anti-bullying platform to reduce the risk of violent and aggressive behavior in children. So far, their solution, available in 165 U.S. schools, detected around 1000 risk situations, including cyberbullying.

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.