Comments on: Be Your Own Lobbyist – Donate to the Startup Visa Initiative

By: replcia handbags

replcia handbags — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:04:41 +0000

It was kind of like a Windows that wasn't quite all there, from a UI standpoint. It would take me about 15 minutes to remember how to get around in it, as typically one would only made 3 or 4 trips a year to get data out of those systems.

By: Daniel Shi

Daniel Shi — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:02:46 +0000

Brad, this is a fantastic idea. As someone who was born in China and was fortunate enough to be able to come to America with my parents, grow up here, receive citizenship, and was able to come BACK to China for my career, I know how special of a place America is. And you are absolutely right, a great deal of America is built on the ingenuity and passion of people who are willing to pick up and move to a foreign land to find their fortunes and build a better life for their families. This is fantastic.

Having talked to some entrepreneurs here in Beijing, I know that the environment for starting a company in the US and in China are worlds apart. The opportunity cost for entrepreneurship for one are too great. I know for a fact you'd have bright kids, who speak Mandarin and near perfect English, chomping at the bits to go there.

I really hope you, Fred, Dave, and any one else involved in this has all of the success in the world. I'll be keeping an eye out for how I might be able to get involved. A visa in 1991 changed my life, we should make it easier for folks who can really add value to America.

By: Brad Feld

Brad Feld — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:27:04 +0000

VCs don’t insist on dev centers in India. Some have had success with it; some haven’t. It’s never been a requirement for us for an investment.

By: Nari Kannan

Nari Kannan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:43:21 +0000

Very Interesting and Useful Idea! One question that occurred to me and will definiely be discussed in Congress before they approve any legislation that makes it happen is "What prevents the CEO who is allowed on this Visa to come in to set up operations in their home country and generate jobs there and not here?" This is a key question since VCs seem to insist on new startup companies have a development center in India? Wouldn't that defeat the whole justification for this ovement?

By: @dbinetti

@dbinetti — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:35:27 +0000

Received clarification and Pete is correct:

11 CFR 110.20: [Prohibited from contributing are] An individual who is not a citizen of the United States and who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20)

8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20): The term “lawfully admitted for permanent residence” means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws, such status not having changed.

Thank you, Pete! I'll update the site ASAP.

By: @dbinetti

@dbinetti — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:21:52 +0000

My information comes from the FEC (Federal Election Commission.) I will investigate further with them to get a definitive answer.

By: Brad Feld

Brad Feld — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:02:06 +0000

I’m going to guess the same rules apply.

By: Pete Warden

Pete Warden — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:47:56 +0000

The usual rules for political donations are:

"Foreign nationals — may not contribute to any candidate or party in any Federal, state, or local election in the United States. Foreign citizens who have permanent US residency status (posses a "green card") are allowed to contribute according to the same laws as American citizens."
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepoliticalsystem/…

Since I have a green card, I was able to donate during the presidential campaign, and I'd love to donate here too. Could you ask Dave if the same rules apply?

By: Pete Warden

Pete Warden — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:47:56 +0000

The usual rules for political donations are:

Since I have a green card, I was able to donate during the presidential campaign, and I'd love to donate here too. Could you ask Dave if the same rules apply?

By: Pete Warden

Pete Warden — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:47:56 +0000

The usual rules for political donations are:

Since I have a green card, I was able to donate during the presidential campaign, and I'd love to donate here too. Could you ask Dave if the same rules apply?