Assuming you are on F1 visa without OPT, you can be a co-founder, but you can not 'work' for this company you found. The key is not about making money or not, y

Assuming you are on F1 visa without OPT, you can be a co-founder, but you can not 'work' for this company you found. The key is not about making money or not, you can receive passive income like dividend. You are not allowed to 'work', even volunteering will violate your status.