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The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

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11–20 of 33 posts

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#11
post #7

Can the founder on this visa eventually apply for a green card, and bring their family here? Or is it employment-only visa?

I think you'll be thrown out of the country as soon as your startup tanks or you choose to leave the startup.

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#12
post #9

Well, I would have said from that rant that it is pretty clear why nobody invested in his ventures or purchased his products.

I thought I better step in here to say that I've had $25k, $50k, $300k, $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 investments so far. The last exit was $24m, the products and services continue to be purchased.

Ewan (author of the post)

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#13
post #4

>> "This is a critical reason why most tech startups in the UK go absolutely nowhere. You can’t legislate against it. It’s built straight into the culture." [Citation needed] This piece is fairly short on evidence+numbers, and overloaded with sweeping generalizations. >> " If you’re starting a new tech business, the only place — the ONLY place — you should be is Silicon Valley." If you need to schmooze VC/need to wor…

You're absolutely right Axod, it was never meant to be a pinpoint piece that you'd read in The Economist with everything sourced. It's just my opinion complete with sweeping generalisations.

I've failed many times but I've also been very successful too.

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#14
The best part of leaving the UK was escaping the cycle of negativity. Sure this guy is warped by it and comes across really badly, but it's insanely helpful being able to say I'm working on a startup and have people be understanding and supportive. If you don't believe me about the attitude of some British people, check out this Guardian article and the comments:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/10/not-safe-fo...

I tried to make sense of it all myself here:

http://petewarden.typepad.com/searchbrowser/2009/07/you-cant...

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#15
post #10

> In the UK, entrepreneurs try too. The first thing that happens is they become social outcasts. They’re labeled, with a bit of a laugh, ‘delboys’ what is this nonsense. (If anything I find high correlation between entrepreneurs and getting laid.)

(I thought you were plc on Twitter and hence British? I'll explain anyway for the benefit of the non-Brits!)

Del Boy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Boy - is the lead character in, perhaps, Britain's best ever sitcom that ran in the early 1980s, Only Fools and Horses. Del Boy was a slightly shady trader-cum-entrepreneur who always had an eye out for some dodgy merchandise to shift.

Calling some a "Del Boy" communicates the attitude of seeing entrepreneurs as fly by nights, always looking out for an easy buck.

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#16
post #10

> In the UK, entrepreneurs try too. The first thing that happens is they become social outcasts. They’re labeled, with a bit of a laugh, ‘delboys’ what is this nonsense. (If anything I find high correlation between entrepreneurs and getting laid.)

That's actually very accurate for certain segments of UK society

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#17
He nailed it. It's written in an abrasive tone that's sure to attract negative reactions, but the array of positive comments left so far show an undercurrent of support (and I've had plenty of positive retweets and responses on Twitter after mentioning it). Nonetheless, it's the patriotic right of some to believe everything is fine and dandy here.

I've always played it by being based in the UK (because I haven't been able to move to the US, maybe in a few years) but having 90%+ of my customer base in the US (I even took angel investment from the US, like the article's author). That way I enjoy the UK's tax system and I can live here legally, but I enjoy a customer base with a clue (try selling Internet services or advertising in the UK - ha ha ha). Works for now-ish but the startup visa could be a big help.

(In retrospect, maybe I should edit my post to say this guy is totally wrong to stop getting downvoted by the handful of patriotic Brits who remain :-) By jove, humbug to the US, chaps, the UK is splendid!)

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#18

The best part of leaving the UK was escaping the cycle of negativity. Sure this guy is warped by it and comes across really badly, but it's insanely helpful being able to say I'm working on a startup and have people be understanding and supportive. If you don't believe me about the attitude of some British people, check out this Guardian article and the comments: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/10/not-s…

Linked to both of those in an update at the bottom of the post Pete. Nice one!

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#19
post #10

> In the UK, entrepreneurs try too. The first thing that happens is they become social outcasts. They’re labeled, with a bit of a laugh, ‘delboys’ what is this nonsense. (If anything I find high correlation between entrepreneurs and getting laid.)

(I thought you were plc on Twitter and hence British? I'll explain anyway for the benefit of the non-Brits!) Del Boy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Boy - is the lead character in, perhaps, Britain's best ever sitcom that ran in the early 1980s, Only Fools and Horses . Del Boy was a slightly shady trader-cum-entrepreneur who always had an eye out for some dodgy merchandise to shift. Calling some a "Del Boy" commun…

oh, heh, I simply meant "this doesn't actually happen" :)

Lovely Jubbly!

Re: The US Startup Visa: A boon for dismayed, frustrated British entrepreneurs

#20
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(I thought you were plc on Twitter and hence British? I'll explain anyway for the benefit of the non-Brits!) Del Boy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Boy - is the lead character in, perhaps, Britain's best ever sitcom that ran in the early 1980s, Only Fools and Horses . Del Boy was a slightly shady trader-cum-entrepreneur who always had an eye out for some dodgy merchandise to shift. Calling some a "Del Boy" commun…

oh, heh, I simply meant "this doesn't actually happen" :) Lovely Jubbly!

It's happened to me and my colleagues and their colleagues (repeat) many times. Good news for you though, if you've not experienced it!
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