Calling International Student Entrepreneurs & Offering Our Support
Reaffirming our commitment to immigrant innovators and offering our support to those affected.
In light of the recent decision to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, we at Unshackled Ventures feel compelled to reaffirm our commitment to immigrant innovators and offer our support to those affected.
Even if this situation gets resolved, it leaves behind a sense of vulnerability we, as immigrants, know well. In times of chaos having resources, options and support matter the most. You aren’t alone.
Understanding the Harvard Situation
On May 22, 2025, Harvard University was revoked from its authorization to enroll international students, affecting over 6,800 talented individuals from more than 140 countries. Current international students at Harvard have been told they must transfer to other universities or risk losing their legal status, with the university given just 72 hours to respond to government demands.
This decision has created unprecedented uncertainty for thousands of talented individuals who contribute immeasurably to our academic institutions and innovation ecosystem.
There is a profound difference between reading a policy update and living through its consequences. These changes affect real people: students finishing dissertations, researchers preparing to file patents, graduate assistants halfway through the semester, and first-years just beginning to feel settled.
Our Commitment of Support Remains Unchanged - For Both Students and Faculty.
In times like this, we want to be absolutely clear: our commitment to international students, founders, and the faculty who support them remains unwavering.
We've spent the last decade working alongside immigrant founders, scientists, and engineers. Many started out on student visas, unsure of where their paths would lead. Some were already deep in research, some had early ideas for startups, and many were simply trying to find footing in a system that wasn't designed with them in mind.
Over the years, we have also had the opportunity to work closely with university faculty and administrators who care deeply about the international students in their communities. Many have reached out to us with questions about immigration pathways, or to explore how we might support students navigating complex decisions. These relationships have been built on a shared purpose and we welcome continued collaboration. If you're a faculty member seeking guidance or looking to connect your students with resources, we're here to help.
The most ambitious students are attracted to America not just for its education but for its trustworthy system, one built over decades of reliable policies. This trust plays a crucial role in international students' decisions to attend American universities. By revoking Harvard's eligibility and endangering thousands of students' status with just days' notice, this trust has been severely damaged. Having lived in the U.S. on visas ourselves, we understand the weight of immigration uncertainty. We deeply empathize with the fear Harvard students must be experiencing right now.
A Message to Harvard’s International Community & Resources for Support
To the Harvard students and researchers feeling disoriented right now: we're not here to give advice or make promises. But we want you to know that you are not alone. And you still have options. There are people and communities who are ready to support you. Unshackled was built to be one of those places.
Are you a future or current founder? There are pathways for you.
U-Labs is a space built on trust for immigrant scientists and engineers at the earliest stages of building. It's not an investment track, but a platform that connects technical founders with others who've navigated similar uncertainty. U-Labs focuses on immigrants in fields like biotech, climate technology, robotics, and healthcare—offering conversation without pressure, recognizing that the journey from technical expert to founder isn't always linear.
Pitch Us: If you’re already building or ready to start, we’d love to hear what you’re working on. We back immigrant founders at the earliest stages with capital, community, and immigration support. Submit your pitch here.
Our Founding Partner, Nitin Pachisia, offers 15-minute AMA conversations specifically focused on starting a company while on a visa. These sessions may help you think through your strategy moving forward. Note: This is not legal advice. Book a time here.
Need Immigration Guidance?
Our trusted immigration partners at Serotte Law have supported thousands of international founders, students, and researchers navigating complex immigration pathways. They’re a valuable resource for anyone seeking clarity around visa options and next steps.
As part of our ongoing University Tour, we've spoken at 80+ campuses about immigration pathways and startup formation for international students. If you're a student or faculty member who wants to host a session on "How to Start & Build A Company on a Visa" (virtually or in person), let us know. We're happy to show up however it is most useful. Contact us at team@unshackledvc.com
Immigrants Are Core to America’s Innovation Story
At Unshackled Ventures, we've always understood that immigrant entrepreneurs represent America's competitive advantage in the global innovation race. The data tells a compelling story, but there's a deeper truth: immigrants are not simply a "contribution" to the American economy. They are its engine.
A majority of PhD-level AI researchers in the U.S. are foreign-born. America builds innovation advantages through academic research and experimentation. Universities are a critical piece of the innovation ecosystem leading to advances in AI, biotech, space exploration, climate – every critical industry. Based on Forbes’s list of the “most promising” U.S.-based AI startups, 66% are founded by immigrants. More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. From Apple and Google to Moderna and SpaceX, these companies were imagined, led, and scaled by people who first arrived as outsiders.
Their perspectives, shaped by different systems and lived experiences, allow them to spot what others overlook. They create new markets, build American jobs, and expand what's possible. This unique viewpoint, combined with the resilience that comes from navigating new environments, creates a powerful foundation for innovation.
Our commitment to immigrant entrepreneurs remains unwavering. We believe that when immigrant innovators succeed, we all benefit from their contributions. That's why we've built a community dedicated to supporting your journey – because your ideas matter, your perspective is valuable, and your potential to create impact is immense.
Our doors are open. Our community is here. And while we can't predict what policies will change next, we will continue to show up for the people who move through uncertainty with persistence, curiosity, and the quiet conviction that they're meant to build something that matters.
Because when immigrant entrepreneurs succeed, America succeeds. It's something we’ve always believed and why we’ll continue to stand with those who build through uncertainty.
Unshackled Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused exclusively on immigrant-founded startups. We combine capital investment with immigration support to help founders build world-changing companies.