Ask HN: What is the best way to set up a company in SF as a non-american?

4 points by merterdir 10 years ago | 7 comments

Hello everyone,

I am looking forward to arrive to SF in a couple of months to start my startup and even though I am connected to some degree to the startup scene in SF, I'd like to grow my network. Any tips on how to set up meetings with investors and how to set up the company in SF as a non-american citizen? Thanks in advance!

andkon 10 years ago |

I've been thinking through this a lot and intend to do a similar thing - but not immediately, and not without traction. These days, I think that moving down to SF without traction will probably mean you'll get a lot less made a lot more expensively, and you won't be all that more likely to raise money. After all, you're just another person who's there for the gold rush, and there are a lot of them, even if there's still a bunch of angels.

If you still really wanna do it, are you Canadian or Mexican? You can incorporate in the US, and get your business partner or whomever to sign your TN visa letter. Definitely go the TN visa way - though you'll usually need to back that up with proof of a technical degree or a lot of experience, because even if the "Computer Systems Analyst" says it just needs a bachelors of anything, in reality border agents will give you heck if your education doesn't match up with your experience.

merterdir 10 years ago | |

Thanks for the advice, I'll try my chances. I believe in what I'm working on (as everyone else) but it'll kill me if I don't try when I have this narrow window of opportunity.

Sadly -in this context- I am Turkish so I don't qualify for visa-weavers or a TN Visa.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to me!

victorhn 10 years ago | |

Can you setup a company on a TN visa?

poof131 10 years ago |

From second hand knowledge, I believe this is non-trivial. My good friend is on an H1B and just raised a $1M seed round, but he has to be an employee. His cofounder (a citizen) is the only person on the board and is the CEO. Technically, my friend can be fired which makes the situation a little awkward. They had to rent office space so the company is more official for the H1B process. You definitely will need legal advice. Wish this was easy for you, but my impression is that it won’t be, and you may need a cofounder who is a citizen. If your visa type is different, it may be easier. Best of luck.

merterdir 10 years ago | |

Wow that sucks for your friend. Even though they managed to make it work, that could give way to some intense power-play. I hope his/her CEO is a great person who wouldn't resort to these. Thank you!

littletimmy 10 years ago |

If you have $200000+ you can try for an E2 investor visa.

merterdir 10 years ago | |

I don't. Yet. But this seems viable thanks a lot!