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Dave, I think the big issue most people on here are having, is the fact that if you fail to either create 5 jobs or revenue of $1MM or a larger VC round, you g

by aditya 17y ago

Dave, I think the big issue most people on here are having, is the fact that if you fail to either create 5 jobs or revenue of $1MM or a larger VC round, you get kicked back to your own country despite having invested 2 years and all the effort that comes with planting your roots in a completely new country. It is hard to understand this if you've (and I'm not calling you out) never switched countries but the older you get the harder it becomes to simply pick up and move and since you are at the mercy of either the VCs in raising a new round or the market in creating a sustainable entity it becomes less attractive as an immigration option. What if you do create 5 jobs and then tank in a year? Even if you have a million users? An easier solution would be to give everyone with a successful track record of being an upstanding citizen (paid taxes, earned > $xxx amount, has a professional qualification) immediate permanent residency exactly like the UK and Canada and not tie it to metrics that are hard to measure and achieve in a short amount of time.

deleted 17y ago
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davemc500hats 17y ago
aditya: dude, if you can't create at least 5 jobs in 2 years with $250K in capital, you're a pretty pathetic excuse for an entrepreneur. this is not a handout, it's a hand up. we expect people to innovate, create jobs, and create positive economic results. we're trying to help those who are willing to help themselves. and yes, those entrepreneurs who are more capable -- that is, can run a business profitably at some scale, and can create a minimum # of jobs -- will have a better shot than others. there is nothing unfair or unethical about trying to help those entrepreneurs who are willing to do the work necessary to make it happen.
- petercooper 17y ago
  dude, if you can't create at least 5 jobs in 2 years with $250K in capital, you're a pretty pathetic excuse for an entrepreneur. And a poor law player too ;-) With unemployment set to remain pretty high over the next several years, employing a few minimum wage "office managers" to make up the numbers (assuming you get the extra funding or do the >$1M revenue) isn't going to cost very much.
- aditya 17y ago
  Hah. The question is what happens when you fail. Obviously, if you have 100-250k, you can hire 2 people. But then what happens if the biz fails? You created 2 (probably more jobs) and now you're going to get kicked back to your own country? Or am I mis-reading this, and as soon as you hire 2 people you get your green card?
  - davemc500hats 17y ago
    sorry, no free rides... if you fail, you have to start over again. (that is: you can always start another business, pitch new investors for funding, and re-qualify for the new business. there is no restriction on multiple attempts, however you will have to convince investors you're worth a 2nd chance... or 3rd... or 4th... etc)
alex_c 17y ago
This isn't meant as a general-purpose immigration option, and there's no reason to expect it will appeal to everyone (it's not supposed to). It covers a small corner case that is not covered by existing legislation, and it's separate from the larger issue of immigration reform. What you propose is an easier solution for prospective immigrants, but much more difficult politically.

by aditya 17y ago

deleted 17y ago

[deleted]

davemc500hats 17y ago

aditya: dude, if you can't create at least 5 jobs in 2 years with $250K in capital, you're a pretty pathetic excuse for an entrepreneur. this is not a handout, it's a hand up. we expect people to innovate, create jobs, and create positive economic results. we're trying to help those who are willing to help themselves. and yes, those entrepreneurs who are more capable -- that is, can run a business profitably at some scale, and can create a minimum # of jobs -- will have a better shot than others. there is nothing unfair or unethical about trying to help those entrepreneurs who are willing to do the work necessary to make it happen.

petercooper 17y ago
dude, if you can't create at least 5 jobs in 2 years with $250K in capital, you're a pretty pathetic excuse for an entrepreneur. And a poor law player too ;-) With unemployment set to remain pretty high over the next several years, employing a few minimum wage "office managers" to make up the numbers (assuming you get the extra funding or do the >$1M revenue) isn't going to cost very much.
aditya 17y ago
Hah. The question is what happens when you fail. Obviously, if you have 100-250k, you can hire 2 people. But then what happens if the biz fails? You created 2 (probably more jobs) and now you're going to get kicked back to your own country? Or am I mis-reading this, and as soon as you hire 2 people you get your green card?
- davemc500hats 17y ago
  sorry, no free rides... if you fail, you have to start over again. (that is: you can always start another business, pitch new investors for funding, and re-qualify for the new business. there is no restriction on multiple attempts, however you will have to convince investors you're worth a 2nd chance... or 3rd... or 4th... etc)

alex_c 17y ago

This isn't meant as a general-purpose immigration option, and there's no reason to expect it will appeal to everyone (it's not supposed to). It covers a small corner case that is not covered by existing legislation, and it's separate from the larger issue of immigration reform. What you propose is an easier solution for prospective immigrants, but much more difficult politically.