I'd love to apply, but I'm on a H1-b visa and I'm basically in prison. How did the other international founders you worked with get around the immigration mess to start a company?
It really sucks and I think it's a stupid system, but there will be far greater obstacles on your path to being a successful founder.
Some unsolicited advice. Starting company = solving lots of problems (product, market, tech, hiring etc etc.) See Immigration as just one of these.
Canada, with much easier immigration policies (Toronto/Vancouver) can be your base to build and validate your prototype and later move to valley.
In the age of Internet, geographical boundaries cannot prevent good ideas/products from happening.
Just another entrepreneur here, but I'm a Canadian citizen and also need a VISA.
I've received excellent help from Julie Pearl's firm: https://www.immigrationlaw.com/
They work with plenty of startup founders and I was recommended her through fellow immigrant founders. :) Hope this helps!