216: A Guide to H-1B Self-Sponsorship and More For Founders and Startups with Sophie Alcorn
Release Date: 02/25/2025
236: Fishing in Deeper Waters: U.S. Customer Acquisition by Design with Bill Kenney
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
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...
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235: Dreaming the Possible: Art, Technology, and the Diplomacy of Hope with Martin Rauchbauer
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
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...
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234: Beyond the Pitch: Real Stories of Growth, Grit, and Game-Changing Deals with Krishna Mohan
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
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,...
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233: The High Cost of Holding It Together with Dr. Ardeshir Mehran
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
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...
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232: Inside Global Class: Frameworks for Modern Market Expansion with Klaus Wehage
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
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...
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231: EB-2 NIW for Tech Founders: Is It Still Viable in 2025
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
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...
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230: Humanizing Sales in the Age of AI with Venki Pola
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Venki Pola, co-founder and CTO of OneShot.ai, shares his incredible journey from a career at Salesforce to becoming an immigrant entrepreneur. After experiencing personal tragedy and navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system as an H-1B visa holder, Venki's story is one of resilience and determination. We explore the additional hurdles he faced while transferring his visa to his startup, managing responsibilities, and ensuring his status enabled him to chase his business dreams. His story is a testament to perseverance and the relentless pursuit of one's aspirations, against...
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229: When Stress Speaks: Decoding the Body’s Language for Resilience with Matthew David Gardner
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Facing a severe digestive shutdown can feel like an insurmountable mountain, but for Matthew David Gardner, the journey to health was transformative. After years of searching for a solution through both traditional and alternative medicine, he found hope through Gloria, a practitioner who introduced him to a unique method of energy testing and personalized nutrition. Within just 30 days, Matthew experienced remarkable improvements, regaining strength and vitality. Join us as we unravel his story and explore the unconventional approaches that restored his health and reshaped his perspective on...
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228: Layoff Lessons: Reinvention After Setbacks with Roshni Chellani
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Roshni Chalani, a brilliant wireless engineer turned career coach, captivates us with her inspiring journey from India to the United States, breaking free from conventional expectations like early marriage. Her story is filled with strategic brilliance, as she shares how she used financial logic to win her family's support for her education abroad. This episode offers a refreshing perspective on the power of persistence, strategic communication, and courage to shake off cultural norms and pursue one’s dreams. Roshni Chellani is a wireless engineer by day, a career coach, and a 24/7 content...
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227: Why We Still Don’t Have Robot Butlers with Anshuman Kumar
Sophie Alcorn Podcast
Unlock the secrets behind the rapid evolution of robotics with Anshuman Kumar, head of hardware at Matic Robots, as we dissect what makes a robot more than just a machine. Discover how modern marvels, from everyday tools to cutting-edge autonomous vehicles, are reshaping our lives. Anshuman shares the technological breakthroughs that are fueling this transformation, revealing the vital roles that GPUs, AI, and a blend of mechanics, electronics, and algorithms play in creating robots capable of perceiving and interacting with their surroundings like never before. Anshuman Kumar is the Head of...
info_outlineUnlock the secrets of U.S. immigration laws with our exclusive insights into the H-1B visa process for tech founders and startup teams. You'll discover how recent regulatory changes empower founders to fully own their ventures while navigating the complex employer-employee dynamics. Learn how to craft immigration strategies that align with your entrepreneurial vision, ensuring both your business and personal goals are met.
Sophie Alcorn is a leading immigration attorney and the founder of Alcorn Immigration Law in Silicon Valley. With a focus on helping tech startups and international talent, she specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of U.S. immigration law to obtain visas and green cards.
Sophie is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and has been a regular contributor to TechCrunch’s “Ask Sophie” column, where she shared valuable insights on immigration issues. She is also the host of “The Sophie Alcorn Podcast”, providing essential information for entrepreneurs navigating immigration challenges.
With a commitment to empowering individuals and families, Sophie actively participates in mentoring and advocacy, ensuring that her clients can achieve their dreams in the U.S.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
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Insights into the H-1B visa process for tech founders and startups
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Recent changes allowing founders to own 100% of their companies
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Strategies for H-1B transfers and alternative visa options like O-1s
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Exploring cap-exempt H-1Bs and part-time concurrent H-1Bs
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Navigating employer-employee relationship dynamics under new regulations
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Compliance with H-1B wage requirements and preparing for RFEs
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