Because in early stage startups, you accept to forgo a market rate salary for equity that still has low value. You do that because you expect, or you bet on the

Because in early stage startups, you accept to forgo a market rate salary for equity that still has low value. You do that because you expect, or you bet on the equity value to go up. Risk, reward, it's simple. A bidding system for H1Bs would in effect prevent earls stage companies to apply for visas. Many actuall do apply for their own founders. A large proportion of startups have foreign founders, and these people need a visa.