How Borderless Founders Build Global Companies

Elena Burger is joined by a16z’s Angela Strange and Gabriel Vasquez to discuss the rise of the "borderless founder": entrepreneurs who bring the networks and insights of their home markets together with the talent, capital, and speed of Silicon Valley to build global companies.

Angela and Gabriel trace how a16z's international investing efforts grew from early work in Latin America into a broader global network, and why AI has accelerated the flow of founders and talent between Silicon Valley and startup ecosystems around the world. They explore the advantages borderless founders can bring, from differentiated talent networks and early customers to strong local brands and communities that help open doors across markets.

They also discuss how founder diasporas can function like powerful alumni networks, why spending time in Silicon Valley can help founders recalibrate around speed and ambition, and how the next generation of global companies may increasingly be built across multiple countries from day one.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:54 - Who Borderless Founders Are & the Origins of a16z's Global Strategy
06:35 - What International Founders Bring to the Bay Area
10:26 - Borderless vs Immigrant vs International Founder
18:04 - The Three Native Advantages: Talent, Brand & Customers
23:08 - Do Borderless Founders Have an Edge in Silicon Valley?
27:08 - How a16z Approaches a New Country or Geography
33:15 - Repeat Founders & Building Long-Term Relationships
36:50 - The Journey from Seed to Growth for International Founders
40:30 - Advice for Founders Thinking of Moving to Silicon Valley
42:25 - 10 Years From Now: The Global Topology of Startups

Resources:
Follow Angela Strange on X: https://x.com/astrange
Follow Gabriel Vasquez on X: https://x.com/GEVS94
Follow Elena Burger on X: https://x.com/VirtualElena
https://www.a16z.news/p/rise-of-the-borderless-founder

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.