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- How immigrant founders keep America’s edge alive!
How immigrant founders keep America’s edge alive!
The unseen force behind U.S. growth.
JANUS SIGNAL
September 02, 2025
JANUS SIGNAL
We’re keeping the spotlight on immigrant founders, sharing their real‑world experiences, what succeeds, what challenges arise, and what’s on the horizon.
Spotlight Theme:
Immigration & America’s Innovation Edge
When science meets migration, the outcome isn’t just cultural, it’s catalytic.
Main Story: The STEM gap, visas, and America’s fight to stay competitive
The U.S. is facing a serious talent crunch. Over the next decade, it will need more than a million new STEM workers, with demand skyrocketing in other industries. But here’s the catch: without immigration, the numbers simply don’t add up.
Foreign-born scientists and engineers already make up a massive share of the innovation pipeline. Roughly 43 percent of STEM PhDs working in the U.S. are immigrants, and in fields like computer science, that share can climb as high as 60 percent. Their presence is not just filling jobs, it’s fueling breakthroughs, companies, and Nobel-winning discoveries. Over half of America’s billion-dollar startups have an immigrant cofounder, and nearly 40 percent of Nobel Prizes in science awarded to U.S.-based researchers in the past two decades have gone to immigrants.
So why is this a critical moment? Because even as the demand surges, America’s immigration system is straining under backlogs and political pushback. While talented scientists and entrepreneurs are stuck in visa limbo, countries like Canada and the UK are seizing the opportunity, rolling out policies that welcome global researchers with open arms.
Zoom In:
This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about where innovation happens. If the U.S. fumbles, the center of gravity for discovery could shift. Toronto, London, and other global hubs are already courting talent that might once have settled in Boston or Silicon Valley. For America, the question is whether it wants to double down on its historic role as a magnet for the best minds, or risk letting its innovation advantage drift elsewhere.
By the Numbers:
The demand for STEM workers in the U.S. will exceed one million over the next decade.
Nearly half of America’s STEM PhD workforce is foreign-born, with even higher concentrations in computer science.
Over 50 percent of U.S. unicorn startups were launched with an immigrant cofounder. And in the last 20 years, almost 40 percent of Nobel Prizes in science awarded in the U.S. went to immigrants.
What stands out:
Immigrant founders are at the heart of America’s startup success, especially in the realm of billion-dollar (unicorn) ventures.
Real Founder: Guillermo Rauch – Building Vercel for the Modern Web
Guillermo Rauch, originally from Argentina, is the founder and CEO of Vercel, a company that powers the next generation of web development and provides a platform that helps developers build, preview, and ship websites with speed and scale, supporting some of the most widely used frameworks like Next.js. Rauch’s journey reflects the resilience and innovation immigrants bring to the U.S. startup scene, turning an idea into a unicorn valued at billions.
What catches the eye?
Vercel isn’t just a hosting service; it has redefined how modern websites are built. Less integration with developer tools, global scalability, and the ability to handle millions of users make it a favorite among startups and enterprises. Rauch’s vision for a faster, more accessible web highlights how immigrant founders don’t just create companies, they transform entire industries.
Tools That Actually Help
Airtable – Think spreadsheet, but supercharged. Airtable blends the simplicity of tables with the power of a database. From tracking customers to planning product launches, it flexes to fit your workflow. Custom views, integrations, and automations make it a must-have for founders who want structure without the headache.
Trello + Butler Automation – Visual task management that actually works. Trello keeps projects clear with boards, lists, and cards, then Butler steps in to automate the boring stuff like reminders, checklists, and moving tasks along. Together, they turn team chaos into smooth, self-running workflows.
Harvard Business Review (HBR) – When you need more than quick tips, HBR delivers deep, research-backed insights on leadership, strategy, and innovation. With expert articles and case studies, it’s the go-to journal for founders who want to make smarter decisions and stay ahead of the curve.
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Quick money, but read the fine print.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
EB-5 Sustainment Period Lawsuit: Court Sides with DHS
IIUSA filed a lawsuit against DHS/USCIS over how the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of 2022 defines the “sustainment period” for EB-5 investors. In August 2025, Judge Ana C. Reyes ruled that USCIS’s two-year sustainment period interpretation is consistent with the RIA, rejecting IIUSA’s push for a longer timeframe. This was a clear win for investors. The ruling gives EB-5 investors more certainty: their capital only needs to remain invested for two years. This aligns with the intent of the RIA and prevents indefinite extensions.
Next up: USCIS must launch a formal rulemaking process, with public notice and comment, by November 2025. That means future guidance can’t just appear on a website; it has to go through transparent regulation.
“If You Want to Change Lives and Drive Innovation, Neurodiversity Is the Key” – Keivan Stassun on Autism, Innovation, and Transforming the Workplace
In this exclusive JANUS SIGNAL interview, Keivan Stassun, director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University, shares how his personal journey as a father inspired a mission to harness neurodiversity through technology and workplace change, bridging academia, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact.
Meet Keivan Stassun
Keivan is an astrophysicist and a leader in neurodiversity innovation. As a professor at Vanderbilt University, he directs the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, focusing on engineering technologies and transgender workplaces for autistic adults. His work spans academic research, startup incubation, and partnerships that drive commercialization, all while drawing from his experiences as a parent of an autistic child.
From Astrophysics to Autism Innovation: What Sparked the Mission?
Keivan, for those unfamiliar, could you walk us through the Frist Center's mission and what sets it apart in the autism and innovation landscape?
“The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University is an academic research center in the School of Engineering, with close ties to the Business School. Our mission is to engineer technologies and transform workplaces, inspired by neurodiversity. What makes us unique is our nonprofit status within an elite research university, our focus on technology development and workplace change for autistic adults. Combining adulthood, autism, tech, and transformation, that's what distinguishes within the broader ecosystem.”
Defining Innovation: Beyond Biomed to Real-World Impact
How do you define innovation in the context of autism, and how does that shape the programs and people the Frist Center supports?
“We use 'innovation' in a few interconnected ways. First, it's about technology development, shifting from the vital biomedical and early childhood focus of the past 40-50 years to what autistic adults need to thrive and contribute their talents. We're bringing transformative practices to enable that. Second, even as a nonprofit, we leverage commercialization and for-profit activities. We support inventors, technologists, and entrepreneurs to get innovations into communities worldwide through market forces. That's key to scaling impact.”
Partnering for Progress: The Empowering Autism Innovation Incubation Program
Speaking of entrepreneurs, can you tell us about the Empowering Autism Innovation Incubation Program, developed with JANUS Innovation Hub, and how it fits into the Frist Center's broader initiatives?
“This partnership is crucial. As a nonprofit in academia, we excel at research and exploring early-stage ideas without immediate ROI pressures, but we can't directly take products to market or receive investments, so we rely on philanthropy. Partnering with JANUS allows us to apply our academic expertise to identify promising ideas, while they bring investment and commercialization muscle. Together, it's an innovative way to advance our mission beyond what we could do alone.”
Early-Stage Essentials: Navigating Challenges in Autism Tech
What are the most important things early-stage teams in this space should consider for sustainability and impact?
“Customer discovery is critical, but uniquely challenging here, the most impacted individuals may not advocate for themselves. So, engage families, educators, and therapists as windows into needs and pain points, even if they're not your customers. Understand solutions that truly work for the community.”
Traits Every Autism Innovator Needs
Conviction – Believe in the human impact of your work.
Resilience – Embrace challenges in a sensitive ecosystem.
Empathy – Prioritize ethical customer discovery.
Strategic Balance – Blend research freedom with market realities.
Adaptability – Navigate uncertainty while scaling sustainably.
“Forget the fundamentals, like changing lives and improving quality of life, and you risk reputational damage that hurts everything, including profitability.”
Measuring Success: Lives Changed and Beyond
How do you measure success for programs like this, both for participants and the broader ecosystem?
“At the core, it's about changing lives and improving quality of life, helping underrecognized talents shine, and meeting support needs. That must connect to sustainability and profitability, but losing sight of the human metric leads to problems. Ultimately, success is more people thriving, contributing, and accessing opportunities.”
The Future of Autism Innovation: AI, Awareness, and Acceleration
Looking ahead, what will the autism and innovation landscape look like in five years, and what's the Frist Center's role?
“Things are moving fast. Five years ago, I'd have predicted the first VC funds, incubators, and startups in autism tech, and here we are. In the next year or two, expect explosive growth with AI integration and rising societal awareness of autism's manifestations. We'll see more startups, investments, and products launching in a virtuous cycle. The Frist Center aims to be a hub, connecting ecosystems, enabling collaborations, and launching ideas to change lives and unlock unrealized talent.”
A Personal Drive: From Fatherhood to Breakthrough Discoveries
What originally drew you to this work, and what keeps you energized?
“(Laughs warmly) It's personal. Nineteen years ago, my firstborn son was diagnosed with autism. Early on, we focused on immediate needs, interventions, school readiness, and medications. But by middle school, I saw his unique strengths: how he solves puzzles, sees the world differently. As an astrophysicist, I started recruiting autistic students into my research lab both to offer them employment opportunities and so that I could learn management of neurodiverse teams. Amazing things happened, we made discoveries, patented tech for asteroid mining, and licensed data visualization platforms to NASA. Experiencing neurodiversity's power in my family and team inspires me. It shows what's possible: companies harnessing these talents for innovation, better bottom lines, and a stronger society.”
Advice for Aspiring Supporters and Innovators
“Start with our website. It covers everything from incubators and academic programs to our College Autism Network database for supportive universities, workplace transformation, and spinning off startups. Watch videos, explore our work.
Dive in ethically, center the community.
Build networks, collaborate across academia, business, and philanthropy.
Stay inspired, remember the human stories driving change.
Most of all: Recognize neurodiversity's strengths. Invite it in, provide support, and watch innovation unfold.”
Final Words
“Your perspective as a parent, researcher, or ally is your superpower. Lead with it to build a more inclusive world.”
Follow Keivan’s journey and stay tuned for more innovator stories in JANUS SIGNAL.
Reality Check:
What’s Happening with Immigrants in the U.S.
The U.S. foreign-born population is shifting, and fast. Here’s the snapshot:
As of June 2025, the country’s immigrant population dropped from 53.3 million to 51.9 million, marking the first decline since the 1960s. People living in the U.S. without permanent authorization, which can include temporary statuses like asylum seekers, hit 14 million in 2023, though growth has slowed since.
The makeup of new arrivals is changing, too. South America and Europe/Canada are contributing a larger share of immigrants, while Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa account for less than before. Top countries of origin include Mexico, India, Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia.
For policymakers, businesses, and startups, these trends matter. Communities are evolving, labor pools are shifting, and customer bases are diversifying. Understanding the numbers can guide strategy, engagement, and opportunity.
Note: Data for 2025 are preliminary and may be revised in the future.
What We’re Tracking: Federal Reserve Moves in 2025
The Federal Reserve’s policy decisions in 2025 are shaping economic expectations and financial markets. Interest rate adjustments, balance sheet updates, and forward guidance aren’t just numbers, they influence lending, investment, and startup financing strategies.
Startups and small businesses must stay alert. Shifts in borrowing costs impact cash flow, hiring, and expansion plans. Market reactions to Fed announcements can create volatility, affecting fundraising rounds and investor confidence.
The approach? Monitor meeting statements closely, anticipate rate trends, and plan financing strategies accordingly. Startups that align growth with macroeconomic signals gain a competitive edge.
Fed moves in 2025 will set the tone for financial stability and entrepreneurial resilience.
Crack This!
Answer to last week’s riddle: Credibility
Did you guess it right?
I’m chased by founders, yet I can’t be bought,
I rise from lessons, failures, and thought.
I open doors investors can’t ignore,
Without me, your pitch falls flat on the floor.
What am I?