The Vertical | Practical inspiration and cultural guidance for international entrepreneurs

Most Digital Founders Don’t Need VC Investment. Here’s Why

Each year, thousands of international entrepreneurs head to the U.S. seeking funding from American VCs. Charles Leyte, a top financial strategy consultant, explains why investment may harm your business and suggests alternatives.

Meta Veterans of Indian Origin Raise $15M to Build Advanced AI Assistants

Former Meta executives Devi Parikh, Dhruv Batra, and Abhishek Das have secured $15 million in funding for Yutori, an AI startup developing autonomous personal assistants.

Colombian entrepreneur challenges LinkedIn with a human-centric networking platform

Christian Benavides, a musician, philosopher, and techpreneur, is on a mission to revolutionize professional networking with Januus, a platform for authentic connections.

American Dream Attorney: How the Startup Visa Became Tahmina Watson’s Life Mission

For over a decade, Tahmina Watson, an immigration lawyer, bestselling author, and podcaster, has been advocating for the startup visa. Her books became testimony in Congress, helped shape new policies, and guided founders through the complexities of U.S. immigration.

Immigration Updates: What’s Next for International Founders?

The most significant development to watch is the introduction of a new extreme vetting process, which, according to legal experts, is a de facto travel ban.

European Startups Move to the U.S. for Looser Tech Regulations

As Europe faces stricter regulations on AI and technology, an increasing number of startups are seeking a more favorable environment elsewhere.

How Elizabeth Maruyama Helps Thai Community Innovate and Prosper

Elizabeth Maruyama, founder of America Visa Advisory, has opened a new pathway for Thai entrepreneurs in the U.S. — one that goes beyond traditional restaurants. She encourages them to “immigrate smarter” by launching innovative, high-margin businesses that succeed in today’s tech-driven economy.

Who is Mira Murati, the Albania-born founder of OpenAI’s new rival?

Mira Murati, an Albania-born former CTO at OpenAI, has unveiled her new startup, Thinking Machines Lab. The company recruited about 30 top researchers and engineers from competitors including OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral.

Emmanuel Obasuyi, Founder of AfricaTech NYC, Scales His Startup in Nigeria

Emmanuel Obasuyi, co-founder of Onye, is on a mission to bridge the digital divide in healthcare. He is now scaling his health-tech startup in his home country of Nigeria. Along the way, Obasuyi has also built an Africa Tech community in New York, connecting innovators and fueling new ideas.

How Immigration Attorney Erin Elliott Works to Make Atlanta the Tech Capital of the South

When Erin Elliott first started her legal practice, she worried it would be all about ‘filing papers’ and lack excitement. Fortunately, she was wrong. Today, Erin is at the forefront of shaping immigration policies and driving Atlanta’s rise as a tech hub for international entrepreneurs.

How I Secured Capital for My Early-Stage Startup as an Immigrant

I came to the U.S. with a dream of building my own business. Like many immigrants, I lacked a strong network for a ‘friends and family’ round. How did I manage to secure 150K in funding with nothing but an idea, while still on an H1B visa?

How International Startups Can Seize Opportunities in Climate Adaptation

At a recent event hosted by Climate-KIC, investors, policymakers, and founders discussed the potential of solutions to threats such as hurricanes, rising sea levels, and extreme heat.

South Korean Startups in the U.S.: Finding Life Beyond the Valley

For many Korean startups, securing funding and gaining traction in the U.S. is a major milestone, often seen as a sign of success back home. Like many international companies, Korean tech entrepreneurs have long viewed Silicon Valley as their ultimate ambition. But some investors argue that New York City might offer new opportunities for Korean founders.

How Katya Stelmakh became the go-to immigration attorney for the venture ecosystem

Katya Stelmakh leveraged her international background, VC connections, and tech startup experience to build a successful business immigration law practice.

International Innovators to Meet U.S. Capital at This Season’s Must-Attend Climate Event

Global startups, U.S. investors, and nonprofits will come together for International Innovators Meet U.S. Capital on September 25 at Civic Hall during Climate Week NYC.

‘What moves the needle’: The Vertical unveils Immigrant Founders Report

On March 21, The Vertical announced the Immigrant Founders Report at ‘What moves the needle,’ an inaugural event

What drives ClimateTech in Africa amidst the global funding gap?

In 2024, startup funding in Africa is seeing a clear shift toward ClimateTech, with about a third of all venture capital coming from U.S. investors. What’s attracting American VCs to the continent?

H1B Hustle: Immigrant Founders’ Playbook for U.S. Visa Success

Katya Stelmakh, a leading business immigration attorney, offers key insights for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the H1B visa process.

From refugee to fintech trailblazer: How Lamine Zarrad is improving America’s credit scores

Born in Azerbaijan during its time as a Soviet Republic, Austin-based entrepreneur Lamine Zarrad has learned to not take freedom for granted. He now aims to liberate Americans from the burden of poor credit, a problem that plagues half of the U.S. population.

Where’s Ilya? The immigrant founder behind Safe Superintelligence

Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s co-founder, is one of the most enigmatic figures in the AI industry. How did his background shape his vision and pursuit of safe technology?