Boundless Immigration, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase and Pioneer Square Labs, will host a high-impact event during Seattle Tech Week 2025 designed to help immigrant technologists transform their startup dreams into reality.
Titled “Entrepreneurial Unlock: How to Go from H-1B to CEO,” the event will take place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT at the historic Smith Tower in downtown Seattle.
Why Seattle? Why Now?
Seattle is home to some of the nation’s largest H-1B visa sponsors, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks, which file thousands of H-1B petitions annually. These companies have helped create a thriving ecosystem of immigrant technologists and founders driving innovation across the greater Seattle area.
This event brings together the next generation of innovators for a practical conversation about how H-1B employees can accelerate their path to becoming startup CEOs, while also exploring how employers can support their employees through the complex immigration journey.
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for:
- H-1B visa holders exploring entrepreneurship
- HR managers and recruiters
- People & culture leaders
- In-house attorneys and immigration legal teams
- VC investors interested in supporting immigrant-led startups
What Attendees Will Learn
Attendees will hear directly from immigration attorneys specializing in founder visas, successful immigrant entrepreneurs who have navigated this complex transition, policymakers, and venture capitalists experienced in backing foreign-born founders. The panel will demystify the process and provide actionable guidance for H-1B holders ready to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions, answering key questions including:
- What are the viable U.S. visa pathways that support entrepreneurship for foreign nationals (such as O-1 visa, EB-1A/EB-2 NIW visas, and International Entrepreneur Parole, and how do you qualify?
- What steps can H-1B employees take now to prepare for a future transition to a founder-friendly visa status?
- How can H-1B holders engage in permissible preparatory activities like market research, business planning, and networking without violating their current visa status?
- What are the considerations for intellectual property development while on an H-1B and planning a future venture?
- How can you strategically approach finding co-founders and initial advisors while navigating visa constraints?
- What is the realistic timeline and process for shifting from H-1B to a visa that allows you to run your own business?
A Historic Venue with Deep Immigrant Roots
The event will be held at the iconic Smith Tower, a fitting venue that stands as a monument to Seattle’s legacy of innovation and immigrant entrepreneurship. At the time of its construction in 1914, the 38-story Smith Tower was among the tallest skyscrapers outside New York City and remained the tallest building on the West Coast until the Space Needle was completed in 1961.
When the Smith Tower was built, Seattle was rapidly growing, fueled largely by waves of immigration from Europe, Asia, and other parts of North America. While few historical records exist about the composition of the construction crews, many were likely from immigrant communities including those of Scandinavian, Irish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino descent.
Today, the Smith Tower stands as both a monument to Seattle’s early embrace of innovation and scale, and a living legacy of the immigrant DNA that has helped build this city into a technology hub.
Attendees will enjoy lunch and networking opportunities with Moto Pizza, serving its beloved and uniquely Seattle pies. Founded during the pandemic by partners Lee Kindell and Nancy Gambin (a Canadian immigrant), Moto Pizza has become a culinary icon in the city and is set to open its next location in Smith Tower in 2025.
Join the Conversation
For H-1B holders and the broader tech community, this event promises not only practical guidance but also a rare opportunity to connect with leaders, innovators, and resources that can help unlock the next chapter of their entrepreneurial journey in the United States.
Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged to secure your spot at one of Seattle Tech Week’s most impactful sessions.
For more information and registration, visit the event page.