‘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
Lessons from WeWork: When real estate pretends to be a tech startup
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.
News flash: Your startup’s investor pool just got way bigger
U.S. legislators are updating requirements for “accredited investors” — people or organizations that are allowed to invest in startups. The lifelong entrepreneur and consultant Michael Burtov explains how immigrant founders could benefit.
Board of Directors vs Board of Advisors: Startup’s Brain vs Soul
In essence, a board of advisors is more concerned with a company’s strategic interests, while a board of directors focuses on advancing the interests of shareholders. This distinction seems subtle, but for many companies that originate outside the U.S. startup ecosystem, this can be quite a foreign concept. Lifelong entrepreneur Michael Burtov explains the difference between the two.
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?
I almost joined the Newchip accelerator right before it collapsed. Was it a scam? Here’s what I recommend to other founders.
The recent collapse of Newchip, one of the world’s biggest accelerators, was a shock to the venture ecosystem. Bjorn Erik Hansen, founder and CEO at INTIEM, an AI-based SexTech solution, believes the organization’s business model was an intentional deception. Just a few days before news of the bankruptcy became public, his Miami-based startup had said “no” to joining Newchip’s new cohort.
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.
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.
What immigrant founders should know about raising capital in the U.S. post SVB apocalypse.
The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has sent shockwaves across the startup world. How will panic in the VC industry impact international founders raising capital in the U.S.? Mike Burtov, a star entrepreneur and the author of Evergreen Startup, believes it’s time for founders to get out of the high valuations trap.
8 female immigrant entrepreneurs who took on the system, and won
These immigrant women have surmounted prejudice, social injustice, institutional barriers, and fierce competition. Today their startups are thriving.
New immigrants aren’t connected within VC networks. Where do they get funding?
Although at least one third of U.S. tech startups were launched by immigrant entrepreneurs, these founders are often
From busboy to millionaire: How this Bangladeshi immigrant made his big break in the U.S. restaurant industry
Lunchbox founder Nabeel Alamgir has worked his way up from bussing tables at a fast food chain to being featured on Forbes’s ‘30 Under 30’ list and securing $20 million in VC funding.
Lessons from the ups and downs of investing in international startups
Marvin Liao, a former partner at 500 Startups, has been a pre-seed and seed stage investor for more than seven years. In this article for The Vertical, he shares some tips for international founders on how to succeed in the U.S.
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?