He filed his own H1B through his C-Corp. Got denied. Refiled. Got approved. Now he’s building BortleBuddy, an AI-powered astrophotography app.

In this episode:

• How he went from slamming his desk to filing his own petition

• The denial, the refile, and what his attorney did differently the second time

• Why he says “if you need innovation, you need freedom”

• The 70/30 role split under the modernization rule

• His advice: spend $500 on a real attorney, not $0 on Facebook opinions

Join 1,081 immigrant founders on WhatsApp: h1bfounders.com

Thinking about starting your own company on H1B? Start here:

https://h1bfounders.com/coaching

Get more from Sid Sarasvati in the Substack app

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Get the app

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. I used AI tools to help research publicly available federal law, then verified citations against primary sources. Before taking any action based on what you read here, consult a licensed immigration attorney. This post is independent public commentary and does not reflect or constitute any part of my paid coaching programs.

A founder I coach came to me with a problem. He’d talked to three immigration lawyers about filing a concurrent H1B through his own company. All three told him the same thing: you need a board of directors, complex bylaws, and a governance structure that proves someone else controls the company. Otherwise USCIS won’t approve it.

All three were quoting pre-2025 law.

In January 2025, a rule change made that entire requirement obsolete. No board needed. 100% ownership allowed. Cheaper path. Simpler filing. The H1B Modernization Rule killed the old employer-employee control test. But these three licensed attorneys were still building around a rule that no longer existed.

He was about to spend months and real money setting up a governance structure for nothing. One hour of reading the Federal Register would have caught it.

Here’s the thing. You can’t audit what you don’t understand. The credential tells you they passed the bar. It doesn’t tell you they read this year’s Federal Register. Immigration law moves fast. New rules, new guidance, policy shifts every year. The attorney who handled 500 cases in 2022 isn’t lying to you. They’re reaching for the answer they already know.

You have to know enough to interview them.

So I did what apparently nobody does anymore. I read the law.

Claude helped me surface the relevant clauses. Every citation below links to the original source. Verify it yourself.

Not a blog post about the law. The actual United States Code. The CFR. The USCIS Policy Manual. Federal court decisions.

Here’s what I found.

What the Law Actually Says

The regulation that governs what you can do on H1B is 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9). It says:

“An alien in this status may be employed only by the petitioner through whom the status was obtained.”

Read that again. It restricts employment. Not “all activities.” Not “anything business-related.” Employment.

And what is “employment”? The regulation defines it at 8 CFR 274a.1:

“Any service or labor performed by an employee for an employer within the United States... for wages or other remuneration.”

Three things must exist for something to be employment:

1. Service or labor

2. For an employer

3. For wages or other remuneration

If any of those three is missing, the regulatory definition of employment is not met.

What the Law Does NOT Say

There is no statute, no regulation, and no USCIS policy manual section that says:

• You can’t own an LLC

• You can’t own a restaurant

• You can’t have a side project

• You can’t spend your own money on ads

• You can’t build things outside your 9-5

These prohibitions don’t exist in the law. They exist on immigration lawyer blogs. There is a difference.

The legal framework is built around regulating employment relationships. Employer hires employee. Employee performs labor. Employee receives wages. That’s what the law cares about.

Activities that don’t create an employment relationship? The law is silent.

The Case Everyone Cites (And Gets Wrong)

Every lawyer blog about this topic cites Wettasinghe v. INS from 1983. A guy bought ice cream trucks, stocked them daily, occasionally drove them, and collected rental payments plus a percentage of sales.

What the blogs don’t tell you: Wettasinghe was on an F-1 student visa. Not H1B.

The court’s reasoning was that F-1 restrictions exist “to insure that those who seek entry into the country to pursue educational opportunities in fact do so full time.” The purpose of F-1 restrictions is to ensure full-time study.

H1B is a completely different framework. You’re already authorized to work. The question isn’t whether you can work at all. It’s whether a specific activity constitutes unauthorized employment with someone other than your petitioner.

Using an F-1 case to interpret H1B restrictions is like using traffic law to argue about property rights. Same legal system, different body of law.

There are other administrative decisions (BIA rulings, AAO non-precedent decisions) that touch on self-employment in immigration contexts. The legal landscape is more complex than one inapplicable F-1 case. This is exactly why having an attorney who’s current matters. But Wettasinghe is not the H1B precedent the internet treats it as.

The December 2024 Rule That Changed Everything

In December 2024, USCIS published a final rule that most people haven’t read. It’s in the Federal Register (effective January 17, 2025) and it explicitly addresses H1B holders who own businesses.

The new provisions under 8 CFR 214.2(h), as amended by the December 2024 Modernization Rule, say beneficiary-owners can perform:

“Non-specialty occupation duties that are directly related to owning and directing your company, along with some incidental duties.”

What’s explicitly permitted:

• Signing leases

• Finding investors

• Negotiating contracts

• Developing business plans

• Engaging with suppliers and stakeholders

• Talent acquisition

The US government looked at H1B holders who own businesses and said: we know owning a business involves activities beyond your specialty occupation. That’s fine.

The catch: beneficiary-owner petitions have an 18-month validity cap on the initial petition and first extension. That’s not 3 years like standard H1B. For a founder planning a timeline around green card processing or company milestones, the 18-month increment is a real operational constraint. Factor it into your planning.

This is not my interpretation. This is the text of the regulation, published in the Federal Register, effective January 17, 2025.

Important scope note: The beneficiary-owner provisions apply specifically to H1B holders who petitioned through their own company. If your H1B is sponsored by an employer, these provisions do not change your side project analysis. They govern a different relationship: you as both owner and H1B beneficiary of the same petitioning entity.

The Real Risk Map

So what’s actually safe and what’s actually risky? As of early 2026:

You can do this. The law is clear:

• Own an LLC or C-Corp

• Get an EIN, open a business bank account

• Write a business plan

• Hire lawyers and accountants

• Make passive investments (stocks, real estate, crypto)

• Have someone else operate your business entirely

• Attend board meetings as an owner

• Do all the “non-specialty occupation duties” the 2024 rule allows

This is the gray zone. The law is silent:

• Running ads yourself (spending money, not receiving it)

• Building a side project or app

• Customer interviews and “market research”

• Hobby coding on your own time

These aren’t prohibited by any statute or regulation. But they’re also not explicitly blessed. The risk here isn’t legal certainty. It’s characterization. If USCIS looks at your activities and decides they constitute “employment,” you have a problem.

The practical risk for someone spending their own money on market validation with no revenue is low. But low risk and zero risk are different things. And “no wages” is not a settled legal shield. BIA decisions have found that future economic benefit, audience building, and equity accumulation can constitute remuneration even without a salary. Know the line.

There is also a separate legal concept the employment analysis does not cover: failure to maintain nonimmigrant status under INA 237(a)(1)(C)(i). You can violate your H1B status through activities USCIS deems inconsistent with your classification, even if those activities don’t technically qualify as “employment” under 8 CFR 274a.1. The employment test is not the only test. Keep that in mind.

Don’t do this. The law is clear:

• Receiving wages or revenue from a business you operate on H1B (without a filed petition)

• Working for any employer without a filed H1B petition

• Having an employment relationship (service + employer + wages) with someone other than your petitioner

Why Lawyer Blogs Get This Wrong

Immigration lawyers are conservative by design. Their job is to keep you out of trouble. If they tell you “everything is fine” and something goes wrong, they’re liable.

So they default to “don’t do anything.” They tell you running ads is unauthorized employment. They tell you having a side project is illegal.

I’m not saying ignore legal advice. I’m saying read the source material yourself. The statute is public. The CFR is searchable at ecfr.gov. The USCIS Policy Manual is at uscis.gov/policy-manual. Court decisions are on Google Scholar.

You’re smart enough to read a regulation. You’re on H1B, which means you have at least a bachelor’s degree and work in a specialty occupation. Act like it.

The Bottom Line

The law restricts employment. Employment requires service, an employer, and wages. Activities that don’t meet all three elements of that definition exist in a space the regulations don’t explicitly reach.

This doesn’t mean “do whatever you want.” It means the internet’s version of H1B restrictions is significantly more conservative than what the actual statute and regulations say. The fear is overblown. The risk is real but nuanced.

Read the law. Know the line. Then build.

I walked this path myself. Self-sponsored my H1B, built a SaaS company, went through the compliance maze. Now I coach other H1B founders through it.

Every week I answer questions like this in our 1,000+ member H1B founder community. If you’re on H1B and thinking about starting something, we’re here. WhatsApp Community | Newsletter

Tomorrow at noon ET, I’m hosting the first H1B Founders Live with a founder who self-sponsored his H1B through his own company. Join us.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice. This is me reading publicly available federal law and sharing what I found. Your situation is unique. Consult an immigration attorney for advice specific to your case. But maybe read the statute yourself first. And when you meet with your lawyer, ask them specifically about the December 2024 Modernization Rule. That question alone tells you how current they are.

Sources (Primary Only)

8 USC 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) — The H1B statute

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9) — “Employed only by the petitioner”

8 CFR 274a.1 — Definition of “employment”

USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 7, Part B, Ch. 6 — Unauthorized Employment

Wettasinghe v. INS, 702 F.2d 641 (6th Cir. 1983) — The ice cream truck case (F-1, not H1B)

December 2024 H-1B Final Rule — Beneficiary-owner provisions, effective January 17, 2025

8 CFR 214.2(h) — H1B regulations

Looking back? I left money on the table.

If I had this list when I started, I would have saved thousands. So I’m sharing what I’ve collected over 4 years of building—every link verified, with my honest takes on what’s worth your time.

Important: I got all of these without VC funding. We were fully bootstrapped. Most of these programs don’t require investors—just a real business.

Why this matters for H1B founders: Every dollar saved on infrastructure = more runway to prove your business model. More time = more revenue milestones = stronger case for your visa.

☁️ CLOUD & INFRASTRUCTURE

The big ones. This is where most of your early spend goes.

AWS Activate — $1K-$100K

Industry standard. Apply through partners for higher tiers.

Google Cloud for Startups — $2K-$350K

AI startups get the $350K tier.

Microsoft for Startups — $1K-$150K

Easy to get started with $1K, verify startup for $5K.

DigitalOcean Hatch — Up to $100K

⭐ I use this. Simple, developer-friendly. Great for getting started without AWS complexity. Use my referral for extra $200 credits.

Cloudflare for Startups — $5K-$250K

⭐ I use this. Best CDN/security. Use code “BOOTSTRAPPED” if self-funded.

📊 DATABASE & BACKEND

MongoDB for Startups — Up to $5K

Supabase — $300 via AWS Activate

🔧 DEVELOPER TOOLS

GitHub for Startups — 20 seats Enterprise free (1 yr)

Worth it if you have a team.

Atlassian for Startups — Premium free (1 yr, 50 users)

Jira, Confluence, Loom included.

Linear for Startups — 6 months free

My favorite project management tool. Clean, fast.

Notion for Startups — 3-6 months free

Use partner code for 6 months.

Retool for Startups — Up to $60K (1 year free)

Internal tools builder. Huge savings.

📈 ANALYTICS & PRODUCT

PostHog for Startups — $50K for 1 year

⭐ I use this. Open source, self-hostable, feature flags + analytics + session replay. Best value.

Twilio Segment Startup — Up to $50K (2 years)

CDP if you need data routing.

Mixpanel for Startups — Free Growth plan

Via partners

Amplitude for Startups — Free Growth plan

Via partners

🤖 AI & ML

OpenAI for Startups — Up to $2,500

⭐ I use this. Essential if building with LLMs.

OpenAI Researcher Access — Up to $1K

Reviewed quarterly (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec).

Note: OpenAI is no longer included in Microsoft for Startups. Apply directly.

💰 FINTECH & BANKING

Mercury — $250 credit + perks

⭐ I use this. Great startup bank. $250 with $10K deposit. Use my referral

Brex for Startups — $350K+ in partner perks

Good if you have VC funding.

Ramp — Partner discounts + credits

⭐ I use this. Best expense management. 1.5% cashback, no personal guarantee. Use my referral

Stripe Atlas — $100K+ in partner perks

⭐ I recommend this for incorporation. After you incorporate, check the Perks tab—$5K AWS, up to $100K GCP, $3K waived Stripe fees.

Gusto — Payroll & HR

⭐ I use this. Simple payroll for founders. Use my referral

📣 MARKETING & SALES

Attio — Modern CRM

⭐ I use this. Like Linear but for CRM. AI-native, clean, fast. Use my referral

HubSpot for Startups — 30-90% off

🚫 I don’t use this. Bloated, overcomplicated. If you want CRM, use Attio instead. But if you need enterprise CRM, the discount is real.

HubSpot tiers (if you must):

• Seed stage (<$2M funding): 90% off Year 1

• Series A (>$2M): 50% off Year 1

• Accelerator members: 30% off Year 1

Intercom for Startups — 90% discount

Via partners. Good customer support tool.

🔗 THE META-PLAY: My Stack

Here’s what I run Trial and Error on: Stripe Atlas, Mercury, Ramp, Gusto, DigitalOcean, Cloudflare, OpenAI, PostHog, Linear, Attio.

If you want help setting it up, that’s what we do in Launch Club.

Real math (no VCs required): A founder in Launch Club got ~$20K in Year 1 credits while fully bootstrapped—AWS Activate, Microsoft for Startups, DigitalOcean Hatch, plus free Notion, Linear, and GitHub.

⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR

Eligibility requirements vary:

• Most require <$5M raised, <2 years old

• Some require VC backing or accelerator affiliation (but most don’t)

• Some only work for new customers (not existing accounts)

Credits expire:

• AWS: Usually 1-2 years

• Azure: 90-180 days

• Most others: 12 months

Use business email:

Gmail or generic providers like iCloud or Yahoo = instant rejection at some programs. Use your company domain.

Lock-in risk:

Yes, some of these can lock you in. But honestly? That’s a problem you want to have. It means you’re generating revenue and have scale. Worry about migration when you’re successful enough for it to matter.

🎯 FOR H1B FOUNDERS

If you’re on H1B thinking about starting:

1. These credits extend runway - More time to prove your business model

2. Track record matters - Revenue milestones help H1B/O-1/EB-1A cases

3. Legitimate business expenses - Credits = real operations = real case

4. No VC required - I got all of these while bootstrapped

The goal: Build enough momentum that your immigration case becomes obvious.

Bookmark this. Come back when you’re ready.

Which programs have you used?

Leave a comment

PS: When I started in 2022, I found maybe 3-4 of these by accident. You now have 50+. Use them.

That question stuck with me. Because most founders I talk to know what to do. The knowledge isn’t the problem. Something else is.

So I started WIN CLUB. Small by design - just 5 founders. Weekly check-ins, 30 minutes, 1:1.

Q4 2025 was the first cohort. Three founders.

None of them wanted to stop.

That’s the only thing I need to say about whether it works.

What actually happens in WIN CLUB?

The point is what’s hiding in your head.

The patterns you can’t see because you’ve lived with them so long. The mental habits that feel like “just how I am” but are actually running the show. The same loops that produce the same results, every time.

If you’ve ever wondered why you keep ending up in the same place despite knowing better - that’s the territory.

This isn’t a formula. I meet you where you are. Personal. Tailored. For you.

This isn’t gentle encouragement. It’s closer to psychoanalysis with tough love sprinkled in. Some people need a cheerleader. This isn’t that.

The three founders from Q4 are continuing.

I’m opening two more spots. I take new founders each quarter.

If you’ve tried soft accountability and it hasn’t worked - if you suspect there’s something you’re not seeing - tell me what you’re building and why you’re stuck.

I'm Interested

I’ll tell you honestly if this is the right fit.

2 spots.

A member from Cohort 1 messaged me this morning:

Entity to H1B approval. About a month. He joined mid-cohort with an urgent timeline. Did the work. Serotte Law delivered.

Last week I wrapped up Cohort 2. Six founders walked through the entire process - from “should I incorporate?” to “here’s my business plan for my immigration attorney.”

Wednesday I start Cohort 3.

If you’ve been sitting on the idea of starting something while on H1B, this is for people ready to stop researching and start doing.

What actually happens in 3 weeks:

Here is full path we walk through:

One WIN CLUB member saw this and said “That infographic itself is worth $$$”

Week 1: You understand exactly what to set up 🏛️

• W-2 vs 1099 reality check (yes, you can)

• Three hats: Employee → Shareholder → Director

• Concurrent employment: exactly what to document

• Business addresses, EIN, bank accounts

• The paperwork your attorney will actually need

• Common mistakes that waste months

Week 2: Everything is in place 🔧

• Business addresses, EIN, bank accounts

• The paperwork your attorney will actually need

• Common mistakes that waste month

Week 3: You’re ready for your attorney 📋

• Business plan structure for O-1/EB-1

• Live Q&A (I’ll bring answers from my own visa journey). Experts (attorney, cpa) may join the call.

• You leave ready to schedule your attorney call

What makes this different:

Small cohort (C2 was 5 founders) means I answer YOUR specific questions live. This isn’t a course you watch - it’s coaching with peers who are in the exact same situation.

You also get:

• DM access to me throughout (I respond within hours)

• Templates for every step

• Lifetime access to the founder WhatsApp community (1000+ members)

Pricing

$997 - full 3-week cohort + templates + community

Optional add-on: +$300 for Serotte Law warm intro

• Gets you $1,000 off their standard rate

• Net: you’re $700 ahead

• Add anytime - discount doesn’t expire

Who this is for

You’re employed on H1B or similar visa. You’ve been thinking about starting something for months (maybe years). You want to do it right - legally, cleanly, without the anxiety of “am I going to mess up my status?”

This isn’t a course you watch. It’s a very small group (C2 was capped at 5) where you actually get your questions answered.

Cohort 3: January 14-28

Three sessions. Every question answered.

If you’re ready:

Apply Now

If January doesn’t work - C4 runs February, C5 runs March. DM me to reserve or fill this intake form

PS: I do this outside of my full time job as a founder as I remember being alone with these questions for years. 14 years from F1 to green card. I’ve been where you are.

PPS: I find this community self selects for the aspirational folks I would like to meet. Those ready to act.

NEXT Insurance quoted me $412/month.

I paid $18.67/month.

Same coverage. Same carrier (The Hartford). Same employee.

The dark pattern:

Search “workers comp” → Land on their site → Every flow funnels to $400/month “Business Insurance Bundle.”

That bundle includes professional liability, general liability, errors & omissions, and workers’ comp buried inside.

Standalone workers’ comp for one office employee? $15-30/month.

They make a 10x margin on bundles vs. commodity WC.

22x markup for coverage you don’t need.

The fix:

Your payroll provider already has standalone workers’ comp. Gusto, ADP, Paychex - they all offer it. No upsell. Real rates. Same carriers.

I clicked one button in Gusto. Policy active. Done.

While I was at it, CorpNet (compliance provider I had used to business registration in MA) tried to sell me this:

• “Annual Meeting Minutes” - $205

Actual cost: $0. Written consent replaces formal minutes. The consent IS the record.

• Delaware Annual Report - $352

Actual cost: $50-225. File direct at corp.delaware.gov.

• MA Annual Report - $259 (on top of $500 state fee)

You file direct, you just pay the state fee

The compliance industry makes money by wrapping simple tasks in scary language.

A few more things while we’re here:

Owner exemption (Form 153)

If you own 25%+ of your C-Corp, you can exempt yourself from workers’ comp.

File Form 153 with your state. MA founders: email DIAForm153@mass.gov.

You’re required to cover employees, not yourself as an owner. This saved me from paying double.

Labor law posters

Gusto wants $12/mo to email you poster PDFs. $144/year for something you can do yourself in 5 minutes.

For remote employees, emailing PDF posters satisfies the DOL requirement.

Download federal posters (dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters) and your state posters, email to your team, save in your HR folder.

Cost: $0.

The irony: Gusto is great for workers’ comp (no upsell, real rates). Then they turn around and try to sell you a poster subscription. Everyone’s got their margin game.

The math on why standalone WC is so cheap

Software/office work = class code 8810 = $0.04 per $100 payroll.

A $100K employee = $40/year in actual risk premium.

Minimum premium floors push it to $200-500/year.

Still nowhere near $412/month.

The bundle sites know this. That’s why they bury standalone WC and funnel you to bundles.

For H1B founders specifically:

You’re a W-2 employee of your own company on an H1B. But you’re also 25%+ owner = you can exempt yourself with Form 153.

Your first hire (even H1B sponsored) MUST be covered. No exceptions.

Don’t restructure your cap table to make your spouse exempt. $300/year for coverage isn’t worth 25% equity dilution. Just pay it.

The numbers:

What I almost paid: ~$5,000/year

What I actually paid: ~$600/year1

Savings: $4,400/year

The fix: Your payroll provider already has standalone workers’ comp. Use that.

My Gusto Referral

You shouldn’t have to learn this the expensive way.

I recorded myself going through it - my lens as a bootstrapped AI founder who’s betting on a future that might not arrive. When you’re not backed by billions, you see the hype differently.

What’s in Part 1:

• Why I’d short Perplexity

• The $400B circular money machine (House of Cards)

• “I am the fucking moat” - what actually matters as a founder

• 50% have never used a chatbot in 2025

• Where value capture really lives (hint: iteration speed)

Watch on Youtube

Part 2 coming next - we’ll cover Outside Tech.

—Sid Sarasvati

Founder @ RenovateAI (bootstrapped), H1Founders community

PS: The money is real. The structure is real. But House of Cards is still House of Cards.

10 founders committed in 3 hours on Saturday.

December and January applications open now.

What Happened Saturday

I posted Launch Club to our WhatsApp community at 11:24 AM.

By 2:00 PM, I had 10+ founders committed. In 3 hours.

One founder already has a product live. Clients want to buy his SaaS. He just needs an entity to close deals.

Another founder has been “researching incorporation” for 6 months.

That’s the pattern. You don’t have an information problem. You have an execution problem.

What Is Launch Club

4 weeks. Wednesdays 6-7 PM ET. Incorporate + validate your business.

Week 1: Situational awareness

• Where are you? (Visa status, business stage, biggest blocker)

• Stack decisions (LLC vs C-Corp, Delaware vs not, what actually matters)

• Group Q&A (5-10 founders, real conversations)

Week 2-3: Entity setup + vetted connections

• CPA and attorney connections

• State filings, EIN, bank account, payment setup

• Get incorporated properly

Week 4: First customer validation

• How to find your first 3 paying customers

• Not friends/family (those don’t validate)

• Real money changes hands

Bonus: Lifetime access to founder community.

Investment: $197 one-time.

Why This Matters

This work is forcing me to formally curate what I call our Compliance Avengers team.

I club all this into “Compliance”: Incorporation. Accounting. Immigration. The stuff you need taken care of so you can just BUILD.

Think of compliance as a chore. You want it done well. Peace of mind. Then you focus on actual business.

Other big piece: Business Stack (banking, payroll, accounting software). My standards are ultra high when it comes to software. So my stack comes with strong recommendation. Cheaper, faster, founder friendly.

Launch Club gets you both. Right compliance + right stack.

Who This Is For

You have an idea but you’re stuck in “research mode” for months.

Or you built a prototype. Clients are waiting. You need an entity to close deals.

Or you’re already incorporated but need visa-compliant structure review. Did you sign non-competes? Is your IP assignment clean? Can you contract on H1B without jeopardizing status?

You need both: Right structure AND immigration compliance. Not some random attorney who doesn’t understand H1B. Someone who’s done concurrent filings, knows contract boundaries, and won’t ghost you.

November cohort is full. December and January are open

Apply for Launch Club C2/C3

Join Cohort 2 (Mid-December) or Cohort 3 (Mid-January)

C1 starts Wednesday (Nov 12). Already full.

Apply now

Apply for Launch Club C2/C3

You fill the form. I review within 24 hours. We DM to confirm fit.

Same format. Same price ($197 one-time). Same vetted network.

Wednesdays 6-7 PM ET. 4 weeks. Let’s ship.

Questions? DM me on WhatsApp or email sid@h1founders.com

PS: November filled before I even posted to Substack. December and January won’t last long either. If you’ve been “researching” for 6+ months, you don’t have an information problem. You have an execution problem. 4 weeks to fix it.

This is a conversation space exclusively for subscribers—kind of like a group chat or live hangout. I’ll post questions and updates that come my way, and you can jump into the discussion.

Join chat

How to get started

1. Get the Substack app by clicking this link or the button below. New chat threads won’t be sent sent via email, so turn on push notifications so you don’t miss conversation as it happens. You can also access chat on the web.

Get app

2. Open the app and tap the Chat icon. It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see a row for my chat inside.

3. That’s it! Jump into my thread to say hi, and if you have any issues, check out Substack’s FAQ.

In 2018, I graduated from IIT Delhi with big dreams and a suitcase full of excitement. My first job offer came from Microsoft Redmond, and before I knew it, I was on a flight to the U.S. ready to start my career, explore a new world, and live the dream I had worked so hard for.

The first few years felt incredible. The campus, the projects, the opportunities everything was larger than life. I felt grateful to be here so early in my career. But beneath all that excitement, there was something I didn’t fully understand back then: the quiet constraints of the H-1B visa.

I had always dreamed of building something of my own an idea that would come alive, end-to-end. But when I started exploring what that would mean in reality, I quickly ran into the legal walls that come with being on a work visa.

I talked to friends brilliant engineers, all on H-1Bs like me. Almost everyone said the same thing:

“Don’t do it. It’s risky. You could lose your status.”

So, I quietly accepted it. I focused on gratitude on how lucky I was to be here, to learn, to grow, to contribute. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the thought that these were golden handcuffs comfortable, shiny, yet still handcuffs.

One night while browsing online, I stumbled upon a community called H1B Founders. The name stopped me mid-scroll. I dug deeper and discovered that this was a group of immigrants just like me people who had chosen not to give up on their entrepreneurial calling. They were figuring out how to build within the rules instead of being paralyzed by them.

After speaking with Sid, the community’s founder, something shifted. For the first time, I realized that entrepreneurship on an H-1B wasn’t a dead end it was a puzzle waiting to be solved.

That clarity reignited something in me.

Since then, I’ve been exploring ways to combine my technical background with creative problem-solving. One idea that came from personal experience is called PicPickr a project inspired by the chaos of sorting thousands of wedding photos. It’s not a company yet, just an experiment I’m learning from a sandbox where I get to think, design, and imagine what could be possible one day.

Along the way, I’ve met other builders who are walking the same tightrope balancing their visa, career, and startup dreams. There’s comfort in that shared experience, and power in the community that understands what you’re going through.

If you’re an immigrant with an entrepreneurial spark inside you, don’t let it die quietly.

Join H1B Founders - 1,400+ immigrants building together. Ask questions. Learn the rules. Build within them.

And if you’re working on something exciting or just thinking about starting reach out. I’m always happy to connect, brainstorm, or even team up.

You can DM me on LinkedIn I’m actively looking for co-founders and collaborators who share this dream.

BIO: Harshdeep Gupta is a Microsoft engineer, IIT Delhi ‘18, and WIN CLUB member building PicPickr while navigating H-1B. He discovered H1Founders when looking for others who refused to let visa status kill their entrepreneurial spark.

PS: The golden handcuffs are real. But they’re still just handcuffs. You can build within the constraints or let the constraints build your prison. I chose building.

They interviewed several of us. They published the victim narrative.

This is the builder response.

Not because I’m still on H-1B—I cracked the system with EB-1A (the so-called Einstein visa). But because I run H1Founders, a community of 1,400+ immigrant founders facing the same broken lottery that nearly stopped me.

The lottery is worse than broken. It’s randomness pretending to be policy.

Here’s what the WSJ missed—and what we’re actually doing about it.

I. The Test That Changed Everything

I was at the bottom of my class at Mumbai University.

Multiple ATKTs—”Allowed To Keep Term,” the polite Indian way of saying I failed exams and had to retake them. My professors saw mediocre. My transcripts proved it.

Two years later at Rochester Institute of Technology, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA and won the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Same person. Different evaluation system.

The GRE got me past the credential trap. It didn’t care about corrupted exam patterns or beautiful diagrams in three-hour essays. It measured analytical thinking. I scored well—not genius-level, but solid enough to prove I could think.

That test gave me access to merit-based evaluation in America.

And merit delivered.

II. What America Rewards (That India Missed)

RIT tested conceptual grasp, not rote memorization. I crushed it.

After graduation: 10 promotions in 9 years. Software engineer → Senior → Principal → Director → VP. All on H-1B—the visa people call “indentured servitude” because switching jobs means restarting your green card line.

I couldn’t job-hop like my American colleagues. I had to be unfireable.

Then I became a founder. While still on H-1B.

Built Trial and Error, Inc with (https://renovateai.app) to multimillion-dollar annual recurring revenue. Bootstrapped. No VC safety net. Just market validation. Customers paying for value.

Cracked the system with EB-1A (extraordinary ability green card). Became the person helping the next wave through H1Founders.

All of this happened because the GRE measured potential, not credentials.

III. The WITCH Problem Nobody Wants to Name

Here’s what the WSJ article danced around:

The WITCH companies (Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, HCL) file approximately 70% of all H-1B applications.

Body shops. Consultancy firms that game the system through bulk applications and job-hopping schemes. They filed so many duplicate applications for the same person that USCIS had to create specific rules to stop it.

Meanwhile, brilliant founders - actual companies, real revenue, jobs created - get the same lottery odds as a mediocre consultant getting body-shopped to a client site.

The best don’t win. The luckiest do.

This is the system we’re defending? Pure randomness with no merit signal?

A point system is harder to game. Tax returns prove wages. Incorporation docs prove founder status. Revenue is auditable. Merit leaves a paper trail. Randomness doesn’t.

Everyone knows this is broken.

IV. The Fix: Point-Based H-1B (Like Every Other Country)

Canada has a point system. Australia has a point system. We’re stuck arguing lottery versus sponsorship while ignoring the obvious third path.

Here’s how it works:

Work Experience (0-25 points)

• Years in field, seniority level, in-demand skills

• Quantifiable. Verifiable.

Wages (0-20 points)

• Higher salary = higher market value

• The market already knows who’s good

Education (0-15 points)

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

• Matters, but not everything (see: my Mumbai transcripts)

Company Type (0-15 points)

• Startups and growth companies score higher

• Consultancies score lower (or zero)

• Stop rewarding body shops

Founder Premium (0-25 points)

• Incorporated company: +15 points

• Generating revenue: +5 points

• VC-backed or significant traction: +5 points

Experience and entrepreneurship get top weight (25 points each) because they prove market value. Education matters, but potential matters more. That’s what the GRE taught me.

Total: 100 points possible. Top scores get priority. Merit wins.

V. But Wait—What About O-1?

Someone will say: “O-1 visa already exists for extraordinary ability. Why not just get that?”

Because O-1 measures what you’ve DONE over 15 years with expensive lawyers telling your story.

H-1B point system should measure what you CAN DO - potential, not just portfolio.

That’s what the GRE did for me. Not credentials. Potential.

Let fresh talent with high potential get their shot—without waiting 15 years to become “extraordinary.”

VI. Why Founder Premium Matters

If you’re founding a company on H-1B, incorporated, generating revenue, maybe even VC-backed, you’re not taking a job. You’re creating them.

I took the highest risk. Became a founder while on a visa that chains you to employers. Built a multimillion-dollar business without venture capital. Bootstrapped proof that the market wants what I built.

That risk should count. That value creation should earn points.

We’re not asking for handouts. We’re proving worth.

VII. What Builders Actually Do (While Policy Debates)

The WSJ asked: “What do H-1B holders do now?”

Here’s what we do:

We build. On O-1 visas. On EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions. On EB-2 National Interest Waivers. On EB-5 investor visas.

We don’t wait for policy to save us. We crack systems while lawyers debate.

That’s what H1Founders is - 1,400+ immigrant founders sharing strategies, legal pathways, and real wins. Not victim support groups. Builder networks.

VIII. That’s the American Dream

I went from the bottom of my class in Mumbai to building a multimillion-dollar American company in fifteen years.

Not because someone felt sorry for me.

Because someone measured what mattered.

The GRE gave me that shot. H-1B should work the same way.

Stop the lottery. Standardize merit. Let proven value win.

I don’t care what the visa is called. I care that merit wins.

The American Dream works when merit gets measured. This isn’t left vs right. It’s merit vs randomness. Both parties want the best immigrants. Neither benefits from lottery chaos.

Let’s fix H-1B the same way.

What’s Next

If you agree merit should win:

• Comment below: What would you change about the point allocation?

• Share this with someone still stuck in H-1B lottery hell

• Tag a policymaker who needs to read this

If you disagree:

• Tell me why in the comments. I’m listening.

• Better solutions exist? Show me the data.

Leave a comment

If you’re navigating this system right now:

• Don’t wait for policy to save you

• O-1, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW pathways exist today

• We crack systems while lawyers debate

The builders already know: Best visa strategy = undeniable value creation.

Build anyway.

—Sid

BIO: Sid Sarasvati is founder of Trial and Error, Inc and runs Renovate AI and H1Founders (1,400+ immigrant founders). EB-1A green card holder. Former H-1B holder who cracked the system and helps others do the same.

PS: The GRE measured what I could do. H-1B measures how lucky I am. One of these is policy. One is a lottery. Fix it.

How many people can say a Wall Street Journal article starts with their name?

“Manisha Puppala, an Indian national who recently graduated with a master’s degree in Technology, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from the Rochester Institute of Technology...”

That’s the opening line of today’s WSJ feature on H1B reform. Not buried in paragraph 10. Not a passing mention. THE LEAD.

Here’s the thing - Manisha wasn’t trying to get press. She was just showing up every day, building H1Founders, answering questions at midnight, creating tools during our lunch breaks. That’s how real recognition happens - you don’t chase it, it finds you while you’re busy working.

What WSJ didn’t capture: While they quoted Manisha asking “What do I do now?” - she already knew the answer. She’s exploring the O-1 visa route (extraordinary ability in business), which is perfect for platform builders. We’re not victims waiting for policy changes - we’re builders creating alternative paths.

The article mentions we’re helping founders “sponsor themselves on other kinds of visas” but didn’t explain HOW:

• O-1 visas for founders with traction

• EB-1A for those with extraordinary ability

• EB-2 NIW for founders whose work benefits America

• E-2 for those who can invest

We’re not sitting around asking “what do we do?” - we have the playbook and we’re executing it.

For those thinking about EB-1A, pay attention:

WSJ coverage isn’t just press - it’s the platinum standard of media evidence. When USCIS sees Wall Street Journal coverage, they don’t question credibility. This single article provides:

• “Published material about you in professional/major trade publications” ✓

• “Evidence that you have performed in a leading or critical role” ✓

• “Evidence of your original contributions of major significance” ✓

Manisha now has documentation that 99.9% of EB-1A applicants dream about. And she got it by doing the work, not by trying to get featured.

During the $100K fee panic last week, while consultancies charged $5K for “strategy calls,” we were in WhatsApp groups at 11 PM answering questions. Manisha was building free tools. No fees, no gatekeeping - just founders helping founders figure this out together.

The article quotes me saying: “This isn’t reform, it’s a sledgehammer... this ensures that only companies with the deepest pockets can play.”

But here’s the irony: WSJ came to us for the solution story but published the victim narrative. They have quotes about “What do I do now?” but missed that we already have answers. They came because we were the ones actually DOING something during the crisis - not panicking, but building.

The real story: While others charged $5K for “visa strategy calls,” we published free guides. While consultancies spread fear, we spread blueprints.

Manisha went from RIT student with $120K debt → building H1Founders → Wall Street Journal feature. In 6 months.

She didn’t plan this trajectory. She just kept building.

That’s what’s possible when you stop waiting for permission and start creating value.

Proud to work alongside her.

Full article: https://www.wsj.com/world/india/h1b-visas-india-tech-engineering-834e079a

#H1B #EB1A #Immigration #H1Founders #WSJ

But here’s what I’ve learned after talking to founders in New York, SF, and beyond: the reality on the ground is very different from the “lawyer disclaimers.” Founders are figuring this out every single day.

This post is not legal advice. It’s the founder’s guide what actually works in practice.

1. Yes, you can self-petition for O-1 as a founder

O-1 isn’t just for celebrities or “superstars” in tech founders qualify too. If you’re running a real startup with traction, you can petition yourself.

Real-world insight: Many founders in NYC, SF, and Austin have successfully filed on their own. It’s all about showing achievements, awards, press coverage, and investor backing.

2. F-1 / OPT founders are running companies right now

You might be on F-1, OPT, or STEM OPT. Guess what? People run companies legally every day while on these visas.

How it works in practice:

• You can own the company and make strategic decisions.

• Operational tasks? Often delegated to a U.S.-based COO, advisor, or team member.

• Raises? You can fundraise and pay yourself through authorized employment under STEM OPT.

Tip: Structure your company with roles that match visa rules but don’t overcomplicate it. Founders figure this out all the time.

3. H-1B makes it trickier, but not impossible

If you’re on H-1B, your work is tied to your employer. But many founders:

• File a concurrent H-1B for their startup, or

• Set up the company so they’re advising or directing without day-to-day operational work.

• It takes careful planning, but founders do it successfully.

4. What lawyers won’t tell you

Lawyers often warn about what you can’t do. Here’s the reality:

• You can run a startup, but structure matters.

• Delegating operational control to co-founders or directors is common.

• Showing traction (customers, investors, media) is what actually convinces USCIS.

5. Actionable Steps for Founders

• Document your achievements: traction, funding, press, awards.

• Define operational roles: who handles day-to-day vs. strategic decisions.

• Use authorized work channels: if you’re on OPT/STEM OPT.

• Talk to other founders: who’ve successfully navigated this learn from real examples.

Bottom line: International founders run companies in the U.S. all the time. O-1 is doable. F-1 / OPT founders can lead with smart structuring. H-1B founders just need a bit more planning.

Stop worrying about “can’t”, focus on what actually works.

📣 Spread the Word

Know another H1B founder or immigrant entrepreneur who’d benefit from this space? Forward this invite or share the Substack the more, the stronger our network becomes.

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry - the session recording will be shared with all subscribers.

Thanks for reading H1B Founders! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Subscribe now

If you were outside the country, you had every right to panic. Without clarification, you could have been locked out forever. Corporate lawyers told people to fly back by Saturday. The fear was real.

The White House just released clarification. Current visa holders can breathe again.

But here's what we learned: In moments of crisis, the difference between panic and clarity often comes down to how we consume information, not just what information exists.

The Timeline of Truth vs Panic

Friday 8:16 PM: I Published Facts

• Analyzed the actual proclamation text

• Told you it applies to NEW petitions only

• Said current visa holders are safe

• Predicted clarification would come

Your response: 10K+ views, 100+ shares, viral spread

Friday Night - Saturday: The Panic Machine Activated

Corporate compliance departments sent emergency memos. WhatsApp groups exploded. One member shared:

"Corp lawyers have definitely created a lot of panic! The rule only applies to Feb 26 lottery participants"

Another observed:

"Lawyers will always give you the safest answer. This is because if they give a generous answer and it doesn't work out, people blame the lawyer."

The fear-first consulting industry was having a field day.

Saturday Afternoon: Official Clarification Drops

The White House released an official FAQ.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on X:

"The $100K H-1B fee is a one-time fee, not annual, and only applied to new H-1B visas, not renewals."

USCIS published their implementation memo.

Everything we said Friday? Confirmed.

What the Official Documents Actually Say

From the White House FAQ:

1. Effective Date: After 12:01 AM EDT on September 21, 2025

2. Who's Affected: Only NEW H-1B petitions

3. Who's NOT Affected:

   • Current H-1B visa holders

   • Renewals of existing visas

   • Petitions filed before September 21

   • Current valid H-1B holders outside the country (can re-enter without fee)

The $100K Fee:

• Required for NEW petitions filed after September 21

• One-time fee (not annual)

• The Big Question: Transfers and extensions

The Uncertainty Everyone Needs to Acknowledge

Are transfers and extensions considered "new petitions"?

Here's what we know:

• USCIS memo suggests "changes of status and extensions of stay should be possible without the fee" if you stay in the US

• BUT if you exit for visa stamping after filing post-Sept 21, current guidance suggests you might need to pay

• The proclamation seems to target beneficiaries OUTSIDE the United States

From our WhatsApp group, the confusion was real:

"Transfers / COE are technically new petitions."

"Let's wait a week and we would know everything. The transfers are considered new petitions or not and all that stuff"

The honest answer: We don't know yet. And neither do the corporate advisory firms charging you $500/hour - they're just better at sounding certain while saying "maybe."

Community Wisdom Beat Corporate Panic

Our WhatsApp group of 850+ founders stayed grounded. Some gems:

When panic peaked, one member said:

"Unless this is official please don't make decisions on anonymous sources. Too much at stake for folks and they have no accountability"

On media coverage:

"India based news sources are absolutely terrible in journalistic integrity when it comes to US immigration news. They understand absolutely nothing"

My favorite reality check:

"Unless this is official please don't make decisions on anonymous sources. Too much at stake for folks and they have no accountability"

And my response when fear-mongering peaked:

"Banned and blocked. We stay in founder mode."

The Lesson: We All Have Access to the Same Information

Here's what's important to understand: The source documents are PUBLIC. The proclamation text, the White House FAQ, the USCIS memo - all public.

Yes, the original proclamation was vague. Yes, people outside the country faced real risk. The fear was justified.

But the panic was amplified by how we consumed information. WhatsApp forwards. Panic tweets. Corporate memos written by lawyers protecting themselves, not you.

You're founders. You read complex technical documentation. You debug code. You analyze market data. You have the same ability to read government documents.

As I told the group:

"There is no lawyer in 5 years who won't use AI to full research past precedence. Lawyers are as bad or as good as AI. It's interpretation and precedence."

The difference isn't access to information. It's confidence in our ability to understand it.

What You Actually Need to Do

If you're a current H-1B holder:

• Nothing changes for you

• Travel for stamping remains the same (if petition was filed before Sept 21)

• Renewals proceed as normal (no $100K fee)

If you're planning to apply:

• 2025 lottery (this year) - UNCLEAR (watch for clarification)

• 2026 lottery onwards - Budget for $100K fee

• Start planning alternative paths (O-1, EB-1A, etc.)

If you're changing jobs:

• Inside US: Likely no fee for extensions/transfers (per USCIS memo)

• If you leave for stamping: Might trigger fee (unclear)

• Don't make decisions based on rumors - wait for explicit guidance

Important Timeline:

• Proclamation expires September 21, 2026 (unless extended)

• DHS can grant exemptions for "national interest"

• New rules coming for prevailing wage levels and lottery prioritization

The Real Story Here

This wasn't about the proclamation. It was about how information spreads in our community.

Pattern 1: Government announces vague policy
Pattern 2: Advisory firms amplify fear
Pattern 3: Community panics
Pattern 4: Clarification comes
Pattern 5: Nothing was as bad as feared

We broke this pattern. By staying calm, reading sources, and thinking critically, we saved our community from 48 hours of unnecessary panic.

The Incompetence Factor

When asked why the government was contradicting itself, one member said it best:

"Cos they're stoopid. Ill-thought out, just like the rest of their destruction."

The fact that the proclamation expires right when the 2026 lottery visas would activate shows the level of planning here. As another member noted:

"This proclamation is applicable to 2026 lottery, and those visas will be activated in Oct 2026, but proclamation is valid until September 2026. So much Stupidity 🤣"

Moving Forward: Building Crisis Resilience Together

The H-1B system is broken. The communication was terrible. People outside the country had hours to make life-changing decisions. That's inexcusable.

But we can't control the government's incompetence. We can only control our response.

When the next crisis hits (and it will), here's how we handle it better:

1. Acknowledge the fear (it's usually valid)

2. Find the PRIMARY source

3. Read it together as a community

4. Share interpretations, not panic

5. Wait for clarification before making irreversible decisions

This weekend showed our community's strength. Yes, there was panic. But there was also wisdom:

• Members calling out misinformation

• People sharing primary sources

• Voices of reason emerging

Join our WhatsApp group (closing soon - we're at 850 and growing fast). Once we hit 1,000, we're closing doors. Next opening will require website registration.

Join H1BFounders WhatsApp Group

Stay strong. The system is against us, but we have each other.

H1B Founders: 850+ strong. While others spread fear, we ship product

P.S. - If you were traveling this weekend, I hope you're safe. The stress you faced was real and unfair.

P.P.S. - Together we're stronger than any single lawyer's interpretation. 850 founders reading and thinking together beats panic every time.

P.P.P.S. - The government may be incompetent, but our community isn't. We'll keep getting better at this.

H1B Founders

UPDATE: White House Confirms What We Said Friday (Stop Listening to Fear Merchants)

Friday night, the H-1B world exploded…

Read more

7 months ago · Sid Sarasvati

September 19, 2025 - 8:00 PM ET

I'm watching our WhatsApp group explode with panic right now. Let me break down what this proclamation ACTUALLY says, not what lawyers want you to fear.

The Actual Facts

Trump just signed a proclamation requiring a $100,000 payment for H1B petitions. It goes into effect September 21, 2025 (this Sunday) for 12 months.

But here's what everyone's missing:

Who This ACTUALLY Affects

READ Section 1(b) and 3(a) carefully:

The $100K requirement applies to "H-1B specialty occupation workers...who are currently outside the United States" and "aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States."

You're NOT Affected If:

• ✅ H1B Transfer - You're already in the US changing employers

• ✅ H1B Extension - You're extending your current H1B

• ✅ F1 to H1B - You're changing status while in the US

• ✅ Self-Sponsorship - You're already here starting your company

• ✅ Currently in US - You're not leaving the country

You ARE Affected If:

• ❌ New H1B from abroad - Company trying to bring you from India/elsewhere

• ❌ Outsourcing companies - Infosys, TCS, Wipro bringing consultants

• ❌ First-time H1B - You're outside US trying to come in

The Big Unknown: Re-entry

Critical question: If you leave the US to visit family, can you come back without paying $100K?

The proclamation is ambiguous. It says "enter or attempt to enter" but also talks about "petitions accompanied by payment." You don't file a petition to re-enter with a valid visa.

My interpretation: Re-entry with valid visa should be fine. But I wouldn't travel until we get clarification.

Why This Is Actually Good for You

If you're an H1B holder already in the US, this proclamation just made you MORE valuable:

1. Your replacement costs $100K more - Companies can't just replace you with cheaper labor

2. Outsourcing firms are dead - They can't pay $100K per consultant

3. Your negotiating power increased - You're now expensive to replace

4. Self-sponsorship unchanged - You can still start your company

Legal Reality Check

Let's be clear about what this is:

• It's a proclamation, not law - Can be challenged in court

• 12-month duration - Expires September 2026

• Has exemptions - "National interest" waiver possible

• Will face lawsuits - Remember what happened to other immigration proclamations?

Presidential proclamations get reversed all the time. Remember the H4 EAD drama? Still here. The "Buy American Hire American" order? Didn't stop H1Bs.

What You Should Actually Do

If You're in the US:

1. Don't panic - You're likely not affected

2. Don't travel internationally - Wait for clarification

3. Focus on your business - This changes nothing for self-sponsorship

4. Consider O1 - Not affected by this at all

If You're Outside the US:

1. F1 student route - Still viable

2. O1 visa - Completely unaffected

3. L1 visa - Not mentioned in proclamation

4. Wait it out - 12 months isn't forever

The Real Target

Read the proclamation carefully. It's aimed at:

• IT outsourcing companies

• "Body shops" undercutting wages

• Companies laying off Americans while hiring H1Bs

It's NOT aimed at:

• Legitimate high-skilled workers

• Founders building companies

• People already contributing to the US economy

Stop Listening to Fear Merchants

I'm already seeing emergency webinars and urgent consultation offers everywhere. "EMERGENCY WEBINARS" and "URGENT CONSULTATION" offers. They feed on your fear.

The same people who told you:

• "H1B is dead" in 2017 (still here)

• "H4 EAD will end" in 2019 (still here)

• "Green cards impossible" in 2020 (people still getting them)

The Bottom Line

If you're in the US, you're probably fine. If you're planning to travel, wait for clarification. If you're building a business, keep building.

The hardest part is actually having a business. Rest all is solvable.

This too shall pass. Every administration tries this. Courts push back. Business lobbies fight. Life goes on.

In my experience, these proclamations create more noise than actual change.

Focus on what you can control: Your business, your skills, your network.

Stop reading immigration forums. Start building your company.

Questions? Join the discussion in our WhatsApp group where 1,400+ founders are navigating this together.

Disclaimer: This is analysis based on the proclamation text, not legal advice. Consult an immigration attorney for your specific situation. But maybe wait until Monday when they've actually read it too.

I’m excited to finally share something new SID has been working on, based on countless conversations with founders in this community.

We just recorded the very first episode of my Tough Love Coaching Series with Swapneel and it was incredible. Real talk, No fluff, Actual breakthroughs.

This is not theory. This is SID sitting down 1:1 with Founders, cutting through the noise, and helping them get unstuck.

I'm Manisha Puppala, your host and I’m so excited to meet you all and hear your stories. Let’s build something amazing.

🎯 What This Series Is About

Most H1B founders are trapped in “employee mindset.” They’ve been thinking about it for months but can’t clearly explain what they’re building. Gentle advice doesn’t solve that.

That’s why this series is called Tough Love Coaching because sometimes you need direct, unfiltered feedback to break through.

🔥 How It Works

I’m opening 5 exclusive slots for H1B founders who want SID’s coaching.

👉 Normally, SID charges $500/hour for this work. You’ll get it free, as long as you’re okay with the session being recorded and shared with our community (we remove anything sensitive).

Each session is:

• 45–60 minutes 1:1 with SID.

• Brutally honest feedback on what’s really holding you back.

• Clear, practical next steps (no theory, no fluff).

• Recorded so thousands of other founders can learn too.

✅ Who’s Already In

• Episode 1: Swapneel (recorded)

• Episode 2: Akshyae (booked)

• Episode 3: Rana (booked)

That leaves 2 open slots for September.

📌 What I Need From You

If you want to apply, here’s what’s required:

• Be specific about what you’re building

• Be ready for tough, honest truth (it’s called tough love for a reason)

• Be comfortable with us sharing the recording

🚨 Apply Now

We’ll be selecting the final 2 founders for September soon. If this goes well, I’ll open more slots next month but for now, only 5 total.

👉 Reserve your slot here:

Form

This isn’t about being mean. It’s about cutting through the BS that’s keeping founders stuck. Every Founder SID coaches runs into the same patterns and Tough Love is what actually gets results.

Let’s go. 💥

📣 Spread the Word

Know another H1B founder or immigrant entrepreneur who’d benefit from this space? Forward this invite or share the Substack the more, the stronger our network becomes.

Can't make it live? Don't worry - the session recording will be shared with all subscribers.

Thanks for reading H1B Founders! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Subscribe now

This isn’t about pace or distance, it’s about connecting with like minded people, swapping ideas, and getting inspired while moving. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just up for a light jog, you’ll fit right in.

I'm Manisha Puppala, your host and I’m so excited to meet you all and hear your stories. Let’s build something amazing

✨ Why join?

• Run with other founders & innovators

• Enjoy the stunning bay views from Leader Pavilion

• Kick off your day feeling refreshed, connected, and motivated

📍 Leader Pavilion, Seaport Harbor
📅 Sunday, Aug 24, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM

Register Here

📣 Spread the Word

Know another H1B founder or immigrant entrepreneur who’d benefit from this space? Forward this invite or share the Substack the more, the stronger our network becomes.

Can't make it live? Don't worry - the session recording will be shared with all subscribers.

Thanks for reading H1B Founders! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Subscribe now

Join fellow innovators who understand your journey, learn from each other’s experiences, and explore ways to collaborate. Whether you’re in the early stages or running a growing venture, you’ll leave with fresh insights, valuable connections, and the reassurance that you’re not building alone.

I'm Manisha Puppala, your host and I’m so excited to meet you all and hear your stories. Let’s build something amazing together. 💬✨

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, August 24th, 2025

Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Platform: Google Meet

Join Here

📣 Spread the Word

Know another H1B founder or immigrant entrepreneur who’d benefit from this space? Forward this invite or share the Substack the more, the stronger our network becomes.

Can't make it live? Don't worry - the session recording will be shared with all subscribers.

Thanks for reading H1B Founders! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Subscribe now

​Whether you’re just starting your journey or already running a venture, this session will help you:

• ​Network with fellow OPT founders from across the U.S.

• ​Learn from real-world stories and challenges

• ​Collaborate on ideas, partnerships, and growth strategies

• ​Stay informed about resources, programs, and communities that can support your path

I'm Manisha Puppala, your host and I’m so excited to meet you all and hear your stories. Let’s build something amazing together. 💬✨

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Platform: Google Meet

Join Here

📣 Spread the Word

Know another H1B founder or immigrant entrepreneur who’d benefit from this space? Forward this invite or share the Substack the more, the stronger our network becomes.

Can't make it live? Don't worry - the session recording will be shared with all subscribers.

Thanks for reading H1B Founders! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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​Your voice matters and we’d love to know what topics you’d find most valuable, your input will help shape the session and make it as valuable as possible for everyone attending.

​So grab a coffee (or chai ☕️), get comfortable, and join us for an open, honest, and inspiring session!

I'm Manisha Puppala, your host and I’m so excited to meet you all and hear your stories. Let’s build something amazing together. 💬✨

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Platform: Zoom

Join Here

What You Can Expect

👂 Hear real stories from fellow H1B founders

🤝 Connect with others navigating similar startup journeys

💡 Share challenges and get insights from the community

🚀 Learn about resources and tools to support immigrant entrepreneurs

📣 Spread the Word

Know another H1B founder or immigrant entrepreneur who’d benefit from this space? Forward this invite or share the Substack the more, the stronger our network becomes.

Can't make it live? Don't worry - the session recording will be shared with all subscribers.

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