Sales | The Vertical

Khurram Kalimi, COO and co-founder at VinnCorp. Credit: VinnCorp

“You don’t look the part”: The Pakistani founder who cracked the U.S. sales code

“You’re brown and from Pakistan — hire someone local,” they said. Khurram Kalimi, co-founder of Vinn Corp, didn’t listen — and generated $1.2 million in U.S. sales in his first year. Here’s how he did it.

Young woman in ethnic dress with blue ornament and hat spread hand infront of blue Kalta minor minaret in Itchan Kala ancient city of Khiva in Uzbekistan. Credit: Shutterstock

From the U.S. to Uzbekistan: How Truss Powers Tech Outsourcing

In the early 2000s, serial entrepreneur Eric Hoopman discovered Uzbekistan while seeking help with a new venture. Today, the developers he met are building Truss, a platform connecting U.S. entrepreneurs with Uzbek tech talent.

Left to right: Nik Storsnoky and Vlad Yatsenko, co-founders, Revolut. Credit: Revolut

Immigrant Founders Behind Revolut, $45 Billion Neobank Eyeing U.S. Expansion

Revolut, the $45 billion neobank, is having a moment. The company reported a $1 billion net profit for 2024 and revealed plans to pursue a U.S. banking license.

How Supply Chain Tech Is Bracing for Trump’s Trade War

For international supply chain startups, navigating the tariff uncertainty is becoming increasingly complex, with higher stakes on the line.

12 Must-See International Startups at CES This Year

The annual Consumer Electronics Show, the world’s largest tech event, is wrapping up this week in Las Vegas. Here are some of our top picks from international startups featured at the exhibit.

Sales and Exits: International Founders Shake Up NYC Tech Week

As a part of NY Tech Week, The Vertical hosts its ‘Sales and Exits’ panel at Civic Hall, the largest entrepreneurial skill builder in the U.S.

Welltory team. Left to right: Alex Lyskovsky, Jane Smorodnikova, Pavel Pravdin

Bootstrappers at heart: How to reach $14 mln in revenue after VC rejection

After getting a “No” from Silicon Valley VCs, the founders of Welltory, a stress management app, gave up on investors. They relocated to distant parts of the world to focus on their product. Six years later, Welltory has nine million users and $14 million in revenue. How did they do it?

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

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

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.

The Arrow Information Paradox: How to sell without giving away your secrets

To explain their technology, many startup founders have to reveal proprietary information. This puts their intellectual property at risk and sometimes leads to a loss in its value. How to manage the delicate balance of pricing your product and sharing information about it?

Pitching in the time of corona: How to succeed on Zoom

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the traditional ways in which businesses raise investment and acquire new clients. Although tech savvy founders are likely to have adjusted quickly, online communication isn’t always easy. How can you make the most of this time?

“In the US, people expect you to be confident”: Irish entrepreneur Feargal O’Sullivan talks the art of sales

Feargal O’Sullivan runs an outsourcing sales firm focused on international fintech startups. Early this year, his company, USAM Group, hit the five-year mark. Since launching, O’Sullivan has matched hundreds of US financial institutions with dozens of new tech solutions.

Sell your startup to Google: 5 tips for international startups in the U.S.

Because of the uncertainty in the U.S., American tech giants could be more willing to look into buying foreign startups, in particular ones based in the countries where lockdown measures are loosened soon.