Community for Global Innovation

I first asked the question as a six-year-old in Greece, watching a Transformers cartoon: “How do robots see if they don’t have eyes?” At 13, I was still obsessed with this question, so when most kids wanted a Playstation, I asked for a computer to learn programming with. I soon realized questions like mine were being answered in Silicon Valley, but it seemed impossibly far away. I couldn’t imagine becoming a good enough programmer to belong there. At 21, I quit my job to help build an open-source project in computer vision. That was where I met the founders of Fyusion, a computer vision company in San Francisco. When I landed here for the first time, I couldn’t stop staring at the new stamp on my passport. I had actually made it. My first day I walked all the way from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate – I wanted to soak in every block. I still have that same feeling when I wake up here every morning. This is where I hope to spend the rest of my life, and where I want to make my contribution to the world.

Co-Founder / CEO, Quirk
https://www.quirk.money/

Nikos Melachrinos, Co-Founder/CEO, Quirk
Trying to get a job as an international student was a very challenging experience for me. I’m originally Greek and did my undergrad studies in the US. I was routinely rejected just for being international and on many occasions would go through multiple rounds of interviews before the company understood the full extent of the H1B visa requirements and the lottery system – at which point the interview process would typically end abruptly.
Through sweat and tears, I eventually got employed and sponsored for the H1B but didn’t get selected from the lottery, therefore forced to leave the US 9 months into the job. I moved to the UK and was one of the lucky few who was at least able to keep his job from abroad.
Today, starting my own company, Quirk (quirk.money), I’m doing everything possible to reach candidates around the world. Talent is universal while opportunity is not. Today the situation is even worse with the new restrictions on H1B workers and I feel strongly for all the international students that have to struggle with this.

CEO @ ONAIR
d.moshe@on-air.app
213.221.1090

I’m an entrepreneur, YC alum and Mensa member. I’m creating ONAIR, the app that allows you to use free wifi on any flight. My visitor visa expired in April 2020, so I could not even renew it due to COVID-19. I got stuck in Russia. Nevertheless, I found a way to connect over 40 major airlines with more than 4,500 planes to ONAIR.

Founder, Alcorn Immigration Law
Contributor, TechCrunch

I know what it’s like to be on the outside. Even though I had practiced as an immigration attorney, I gave up my career for many years to take care of my two small children. I experienced postpartum depression and things snowballed as my dad, who was my dear mentor and friend, passed away unexpectedly and then my marriage came to an end. I wondered how I could survive in Silicon Valley as a single mom without a professional network. Imposter syndrome shook me to my core. I longed to be an entrepreneur but I didn’t know a bit about coding. So, I decided to serve others. I began my immigration law firm out of my kitchen and met clients at a Peet’s in downtown Mountain View. I offered pro bono services to people facing deportation who had experienced persecution based on their sexuality or individuals who had experienced domestic violence. I thought, “Well, at least I can support others.” Little did I know that my clients were actually the ones supporting me: to believe in myself and create a new life. I’m inspired by the amazing courage of immigrants and the grit and tenacity of everybody who has the courage to follow their dreams.

Founder / CEO
👩‍💼 @AllCure 💊

I am the Founder of AllCure – an online medical platform for immigrants and minorities to connect patients with medical providers who speak their native languages / understand their cultures so that patients can get better treatment and lead a healthy life. AllCure is on a mission to combat language, culture barriers and disparities in healthcare to make quality healthcare a RIGHT for everyone. AllCure has been getting overwhelming responses from users and investors globally. I want to inspire victims of crime and discrimination to be fearless, stand up and voice their opinions on serious issues in society.