Immigration Law for Tech Startups

Caroline Winnett, the Executive Director of Berkeley Skydeck, joins Sophie to share her extraordinary story of transforming UC Berkeley's startup accelerator into a global powerhouse. Caroline's unique journey from professional violinist to innovative entrepreneur sets the stage for an insightful exploration of Berkeley Skydeck's explosive growth, from its humble beginnings with just 50 applicants to attracting over 3,000 hopeful startups. We discuss the groundbreaking $90 million Berkeley Skydeck Fund, a revolutionary initiative that returns half of its profits to the university, merging the worlds of academia and venture capital in a way that had never been done before.

Caroline Winnett is Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck, UC Berkeley’s flagship startup accelerator. She led the creation of the $90M Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, a groundbreaking model that shares half of the fund's profits with the university.

A serial entrepreneur, she co-founded NeuroFocus, the leader in neuromarketing, acquired by Nielsen. Caroline is a frequent speaker on innovation, entrepreneurship, and consumer neuroscience, and has been recognized with the Forbes 50 Over 50 and Bay Area Power 100 awards. She holds an MBA from Berkeley Haas and a Violin Performance degree from Indiana University.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Caroline Winnett's unique journey from professional violinist to leading UC Berkeley's startup accelerator, Berkeley Skydeck.

• The innovative $90 million Berkeley Skydeck Fund, which shares half its profits with the university, merging academia and venture capital.

• Explosive growth of Berkeley Skydeck, expanding from 50 to over 3,000 startup applicants, including international founders.

• Challenges and successes in launching the Skydeck Fund, with key partnerships from leaders like Chancellor Rich Lyons and firms like Sequoia Capital.

• Importance of relentless, creative, and coachable mindsets for startup success, along with the impact of immigration policies on entrepreneurship.

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Supporting Resources:

Linkedin -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-winnett-5574933/

winnett@berkeley.edu 

https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alfredo Coppola, Co-CEO of the US Market Access Center, shares his invaluable insights about the intricate landscape of Silicon Valley for international startup founders. Alfredo unravels the common misconceptions about the allure of easy venture capital and underscores the necessity for global entrepreneurs to immerse themselves in the Valley's dynamic environment. We dissect the rapidly evolving investment climate, spotlighted by innovations such as OpenAI, and explore the significant role immigrant founders play in the technology sector's success. Our conversation also touches on the urgent call for European countries, particularly Italy, to amp up their digital innovation through more robust government investments.

Alfredo Coppola is Co-CEO at US Market Access Center (USMAC), the longest-standing startup accelerator in Silicon Valley, which helps international startups with global market expansion.

Alfredo is also the co-founder of Prospera Women, a global platform that equips women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to grow beyond local markets and succeed on a global scale.

Alfredo is also an executive member of Marin-Sonoma Impact Ventures, an angel investor organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that invests in both American and global startups.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Alfredo Coppola's insights on the Silicon Valley landscape for international founders
• Misconceptions about easy access to venture capital in Silicon Valley
• Importance of securing customers early over seeking capital, especially for B2B vs. B2C
• Think Big, Start Smart, Scale Fast program fostering global entrepreneurial mindset
• Significant role of mentorship and accelerators in startup success
• Impact of immigrant founders and the multicultural dynamics of Silicon Valley

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/acoppola/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/prospera-women

https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-market-access-center

Website - https://www.prosperawomen.com/

https://usmarketaccess.com/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter
• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:
• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees
• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3
• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens
• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders
• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Trailblazer in biomimicry, Dr. Capella Kerst, joins us to share her inspiring journey from Stanford mechanical engineering PhD student to founder of geCKo Materials, a company revolutionizing industries with its nature-inspired Dry Adhesive technology. Learn how Dr. Kerst's fascination with gecko feet led to a breakthrough that is not only impacting fields like space exploration and dentistry but is also redefining the future of industrial materials. Her story is a testament to innovation born from simplicity, starting from her mom's garage and quickly capturing the intrigue and support of investors.

Dr. Capella Kerst is an entrepreneur and engineer leading sustainable innovation as the founder of geCKo Materials. Inspired by nature's genius, she developed the groundbreaking geCKo Materials Dry Adhesive (gMDA) technology, which is revolutionizing industries from space exploration to manufacturing. Driven by a passion for biomimicry and social impact, she is committed to building a greener future and mentoring the next generation of changemakers in STEM.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Dr. Capella Kerst's journey from Stanford PhD student to founder of geCKo Materials

• Breakthrough in Dry Adhesive technology inspired by gecko feet, revolutionizing industries like space exploration and dentistry

• Overcoming startup challenges as a solo founder, securing investments, and collaborating with major industry players like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel

• geCKo Materials' commitment to ethical entrepreneurship as a Public Benefit Corporation focused on societal and environmental welfare

• Pioneering space debris cleanup efforts in collaboration with NASA, including participation in REACH and Astrobee projects

• geCKo Materials' innovative approach to manufacturing and sustainability, aiming to be the next industrial Velcro

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/capellak/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/geckomaterials

www.geckomaterials.com 

info@geckomaterials.com

https://www.alcorn.law/podcast/sap225/ 

https://www.alcorn.law/podcast/sap185/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Unlock the secrets to successfully navigating the intricate U.S. market with insights from Bill Kenney, a visionary entrepreneur who runs his business from a sailboat. Discover how Bill guides B2B and B2G companies through the complexities of U.S. policies on foreign investment, manufacturing, supply chains, and tariffs. With a focus on customer and industry density, Bill offers invaluable advice on targeting specific geographic areas and industry verticals, promising listeners a strategic approach to thriving in the competitive U.S. landscape.

Since 2012, Bill and his team at MEET have specialized in helping B2B & B2G companies scale in the U.S. through trade shows, events, and strategic connections. Their proprietary system and tools help clients perform better and sell more through trade shows and events. Bill and his wife Kelly live on and operate their business from a sailboat.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Bill Kenney's insights on navigating U.S. market entry for B2B and B2G companies.

• Importance of customer and industry density in U.S. market expansion.

• Effective sales techniques focusing on empathy and customer motivations.

• Challenges of international salespeople and strategies for successful trade show engagement.

• Strategic sales expansion focusing on smaller wins and agility in tech sector growth.

• Market strategies using a fishing metaphor for targeted geographic focus and adaptability.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkenney/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-expo-&-event-team

Website - https://meetroi.com/

bill@meetroi.com

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Austrian diplomat Martin Rauchbauer takes center stage in our latest episode, sharing his journey as a pioneer in tech diplomacy. Rauchbauer's career, rooted in the rich diplomatic traditions of Austria, has led him to bridge the gap between diplomacy and the ever-evolving tech world. Through his initiative, Open Austria, Martin has established vital connections between Austria and the bustling innovation hub of Silicon Valley, addressing challenges from creative diaspora dynamics to complex geopolitical landscapes.

Martin Rauchbauer is an Austrian-born senior diplomat and recognized expert in diplomacy, the arts, and tech governance. For over a decade, he has shaped the field of tech diplomacy—serving as Austria’s first “Tech Ambassador” in Silicon Valley (2020–2021), and co-founding Open Austria, the official Austrian representation in San Francisco. Currently he is Executive Director of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in California and co-founder of the Tech Diplomacy Network.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Martin Rauchbauer's pioneering role in tech diplomacy and the establishment of Open Austria in Silicon Valley
• Evolution of diplomacy with the rise of tech giants and the emergence of tech ambassadors
• The intersection of tech diplomacy with traditional diplomatic efforts, highlighting global cooperation needs
• Importance of fostering innovation, negotiating regulatory frameworks, and supporting startups internationally
• The role of arts and cultural diplomacy in bridging global divides and inspiring collaboration
• Digital humanism's emphasis on maintaining human dignity amid technological advancements

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinrauchbauer/

Website - www.tech-diplomacy.org

www.djerassi.org

https://www.amazon.com/End-History-Last-Man/dp/0743284550 

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Krishna Mohan, an influential entrepreneur known for his work with Fortune 500 companies, joins Sophie for a compelling exploration of entrepreneurship and business transformation. Krishna shares his journey from a corporate career to becoming a serial entrepreneur, detailing the challenges small business owners face, such as marketing and people skill gaps. He delves into the importance of understanding a founder's vision in mergers and acquisitions and reveals the untapped potential found within personal aspects of business evaluations.

Krishna Mohan is an Award-Winning Serial entrepreneur, Investor, Business Mentor, Speaker, #1 Best-selling Author, as seen on FOX TV and multiple media outlets. He is a highly successful Senior Business Leader with extensive turnaround experience in helping 3 Fortune 500 companies and several start-up organizations. He has built and successfully exited businesses in 10 different industries over the past 28 years. Krishna has a master’s degree in marketing management MMM, an International Business, and an MS in Finance.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Krishna Mohan's journey from corporate career to serial entrepreneurship

• The significance of understanding a founder's vision in mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on personal aspects of business evaluations.

• Strategic planning in the healthcare sector, aiming to increase a product's valuation from $50 million to a billion-dollar exit through acquisitions.

• Navigating the evolving AI landscape, with a focus on strategic positioning for achieving substantial valuations.

• The role of mergers and acquisitions as a strategic entry strategy for global startups, particularly in the US market.

• Insights into building a global company with a stable portfolio of billion-dollar ventures, emphasizing the importance of starting with a clear end-goal.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishna-mohan-mmm-mba-ms-7065666/ 

Website - www.geniusvisionaryinc.com

Schedule a Consultation:https://calendly.com/krishnagenius 

email: krishna@geniusvisionaryinc.com

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Distinguished psychologist and trauma therapist Dr. Ardeshir Mehran joins us to unravel the complex layers of mental health, particularly how depression subtly manifests among high achievers. We expose the hidden struggles behind a successful facade, where loneliness and a life "on hold" are often overlooked indicators of emotional distress. Drawing from his expertise, Dr. Mehran highlights alarming statistics, such as the profound loneliness reported by 50% of US-based CEOs, and sheds light on how physical symptoms can be an expression of deeper emotional issues, particularly in high-pressure environments like Silicon Valley.

Dr. Ardeshir Mehran is a psychologist, trauma therapist, and behavioral researcher transforming mental health by challenging conventional views on depression.

He holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. from Columbia University and is the author of the bestselling book You Are Not Depressed. You Are Un-Finished. Drawing on 30 years of research and clinical work, he developed The Bill of Emotional Rights© to help people reclaim a fulfilled life.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Insights from Dr. Ardeshir Mehran on how depression often hides behind the facade of high achievement.

• Alarming loneliness rates among US CEOs, with physical symptoms indicating deeper emotional issues.

• Link between emotional wellness and conditions like anxiety, ADHD, and burnout, especially in Silicon Valley.

• Power of vulnerability and authenticity in discovering true purpose and fulfillment.

• Managing anxiety in leadership teams with techniques for a calm, productive environment.

• Importance of boundaries and self-care, guided by Dr. Mehran's Emotional Bill of Rights.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ardeshir-mehran-a3457/

Website - https://ardeshirmehran.com/

Therapy  - https://humanworkstudio.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ca440805cb11928b5ef7c0c15&id=308ba33c2e&e=5bae9d9ec4 

Dr. Mehran Studio - https://humanworkstudio.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ca440805cb11928b5ef7c0c15&id=df4d93a51b&e=5bae9d9ec4 

Emotional Bill of Rights: https://ardeshirmehran.com/copy-of-bio/ 

ADHD, The Inconvenient Truth

10 Signs Your Depression is Healing
Bestselling Book: You Are Not Depressed. You Are Un-Finished.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-ardeshir-mehran-a3457_depression-anxiety-trauma-activity-7334571874900709376-zOlt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAByggB1NQ9BIO09PWg62K1YB1mmM6ybMg

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Klaus Wehage, the visionary co-author of "Global Class," shares his fascinating journey from a young MTV enthusiast to a key player in global business expansion. With captivating tales from his early days in Vietnam with Carlsberg, Klaus discusses how those experiences shaped his profound understanding of market discovery, cultural nuances, and the complexities of international business. Transitioning to Silicon Valley, he became the "Silicon Valley Ambassador," revolutionizing the Silicon Valley Forum and guiding founders in global entrepreneurship. Klaus's story is a testament to the power of understanding diverse customer contexts and implementing effective market entry strategies.

Klaus Wehage is the co-author of the Wall Street Journal and national bestseller, "Global Class," a definitive playbook for successfully building and scaling global businesses. 

Through his extensive work in Silicon Valley, Klaus has educated, advised, and presented to over 2,000 executives from more than 50 countries, including senior leaders from prominent unicorn companies.Often referred to as the "Silicon Valley Ambassador," Klaus transformed Silicon Valley Forum, a previously struggling nonprofit, into a prosperous global enterprise, personally generating over 90% of the organization's revenue.

Currently, Klaus is developing Global Copilot, an innovative platform designed to automate market discovery, providing comprehensive support to companies from initial market research through execution.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Insights from Klaus's time in Vietnam with Carlsberg, focusing on market discovery and cultural nuances.

• The role of intrapreneurship in international success and traits that define successful intrapreneurs.

• Strategies for market localization and managing complexity in global business expansion.

• The strategic involvement of founders in new market entries and the importance of proper organizational preparation.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalscalingcoach/

Website - 

Global Copilot: https://www.globalcopilot.com/ 

Global Growth Master Class: https://www.globalgrowthmasterclass.com/

Global Class: https://www.globalclasscompany.com/ 

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

In this episode, Sophie invites listeners to explore the intricacies of the EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) green card and how it can bolster a tech career in 2025. She provides expert insights, aiming to equip ambitious tech founders with the knowledge to successfully navigate this self-petition pathway. She also emphasizes the significance of holding advanced degrees or possessing exceptional abilities.

The episode dives into the critical three-prong analysis from the Dhanasar case, which requires demonstrating substantial merit, national importance, and the benefits of waiving job offer requirements. Sophie discusses recent policy changes, highlighting the importance of a strong business plan, intellectual property contributions, and the need to prove legal work status to showcase progress in essential STEM fields.

Listeners will also learn about the updated USCIS guidance that redefines how entrepreneurs can qualify for a National Interest Waiver. Sophie covers how the unique aspects of an entrepreneurial journey, such as ownership interests, active roles, or participation in incubators, can be crucial in qualifying for this green card. She further explains how the National Interest Waiver acknowledges the broader impact of startups, especially those positioned for disruption and growth. Additionally, Sophie examines the role of patents, grants, and commercial technology use in strengthening a case, offering a compelling narrative even when immediate economic impact is not evident.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Insights into the EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) as a green card option for tech founders in 2025

• Importance of advanced degrees or exceptional abilities for eligibility

• Analysis of the three-prong test from the Dhanasar case: substantial merit, national importance, and benefits of waiving job offer requirements

• Updated USCIS guidance for entrepreneurs, emphasizing unique career paths and business impact

• The role of business plans, intellectual property, and work authorization in strengthening NIW petitions

• Significance of participation in incubators, accelerators, and securing investment for NIW qualification

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiealcorn/ 

Website – https://sophiealcorn.com/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook