Are you an aspiring entrepreneur without US citizenship? Do you want to stay in the US to start the next unicorn but don’t know how? Do you want to better understand the resources some VCs offer to address your specific needs? The Polsky Center is pleased to host a panel session with Unshackled Ventures and Starting Line to discuss building a company in the US, specially as an immigrant.

Unshackled is an early-stage venture capital fund created in 2014 to help foreign-born entrepreneurs succeed faster. Founded by immigrants, Unshackled helps innovators turn their idea into the next great American company. By providing access to a unique network of co-investors and immigration support – including visa sponsorship and employment – Unshackled gives diverse entrepreneurs the opportunity to innovate and tackle some of the US’s biggest problems, ultimately improving the way we all live and work. Read more here.

Unshackled is backed by successful entrepreneurs, including founders of iconic companies in tech, finance, and retail. The fund has made 32 investments in 64 founders born in 19 different continents, and their portfolio companies went on to raise $54m from co-investors such as Y Combinator, First Round, Shasta, Khosla & NEA.

Unshackled is offering a great opportunity for a University of Chicago student to work as part of their team during the school year. Apply to their Student Fellow program.

About the panelists //

Nitin Pachisia, founding partner at Unshackled Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based pre-seed fund focused on immigrant founders and international students. Nitin recently shared his experience founding startups while on a visa, and how immigrant entrepreneurs should avoid misinformation.

Ezra Galston is the founding partner of Starting Line, a Chicago-based early stage venture fund, focused on consumer and marketplace investments. Ezra has led investments into fast growing marketplace investments such as Cameo, Havenly and Spothero and other growing consumer brands such as Flyhomes, Made In Cookware, and Prettylitter. Before venture, Ezra ran marketing at CardRunners Gaming where he helped launch and build three startups in the online gaming and DFS space.