Work
Threading the needle: Exploring 5 ideas with the founders of LGBT+ VC
Silicon Valley’s full of people from all walks of life, but very little of its wealth is distributed evenly, especially so when it concerns the LGBTQ+ community.
Ask Sophie: Which visas will allow us to expand our startup in the US?
We really need to be on the ground to interview our ideal users in the U.S. What visas will allow us to do that?
Best practices for leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning in 2023
As startups navigate a disruptive season, they need to innovate to remain competitive. Artificial intelligence and machine learning may finally be capable of making that a reality.
Dear Sophie: How can I return to the United States as a founder?
I worked in the U.S. on an L-1B for a year, and then changed to an H-1B before I moved back to India. What are my options for returning?
A 10-step playbook for founders with Silicon Valley Bank accounts
While I hope for the best for companies banking with SVB, it’s important for founders and CEOs to plan for the worst. This will be the weekend that differentiates a good entrepreneur from a bad one.
Dear Sophie: Last-minute H-1Bs, O-1A & EB-1A extraordinary credential prep
How many people are employers going to register in the H-1B lottery this year? Will there be fewer because of all of the layoffs?
The best way to start an AI project? Don’t think about the models
Too often, companies start with AI technologies while skipping the business processes and the structure of the data itself, which has a much greater impact on the end results.
Creating remote work rituals that stick
Any organization hoping to scale can create rituals that engage people in their work and inspire them to be their best selves.
Dear Sophie: What are my options for changing my status from an L-1 visa?
What are my options for changing my immigration status so I can work at a startup in the U.S. within a year or two?
Key legal issues for influencers and brands (and how to deal with them)
In today's blazing fast and always online social media-driven world, your reputation and image are everything.
Making layoffs suck less: How to announce job cuts and retain top performers
Letting people go will never feel good, but with some thought and planning, founders can manage the process well and come out the other side stronger.
Dear Sophie: Is there a domestic pilot program for H-1B and L visa stamping?
How long will it take to get an interview for an H-1B visa stamp? Am I eligible for a visa interview waiver? How do I get one? Can I do it from the U.S. this year?
Go long or go short? A VC reveals when it’s time to sell and how to maximize buyer interest
Founders often feel they have to become a unicorn to do right by their constituents. In reality, sometimes playing the short game delivers more value.
3 tips for CEOs planning to take parental leave
My company just had its best quarter ever. As its founder and CEO, I am proud to say that I wasn't there for most of it.
The tech jobs market might not be as shaky as it feels
With all the tech layoffs lately, it's easy to think that the market has tightened, but we found that the jobs market remains robust.
Dear Sophie: Do I qualify for an E-1 trader visa?
I'm from New Zealand and have a B2B SaaS company with many clients in the U.S. We don't currently have a U.S. office, but we pay our taxes there. Do I qualify for an E-1 trader visa?
Security breach? Don’t blame your employees
Many organizations have defaulted to a blame culture when it comes to data security, but a culture of trust is key.
Who’s afraid of diversity quotas?
“Diversity quota” has a stigma attached to it these days anyway, but could it at least motivate people to think critically?
How to manage third-party cybersecurity risks that are too costly to ignore
Most companies review their vendors at the beginning of a relationship and on an annual basis afterward, but a year is a long time in the business world.
Dear Sophie: Will published articles better my odds of getting an O-1A or H-1B visa?
I’ve heard that articles in publications about an entrepreneur or a startup can be a big plus when applying for an O-1A or H-1B visa. Is that true?