Ask HN/PG: Have startups here sponsored H1B visas?

We've done it at Loopt. I can't remember the exact cost but it wasn't that bad. I've heard startups that haven't raised at least an angel round have a harder time. Good immigration lawyers are pretty good at this.

I have no idea. We have no expertise with immigration type stuff, so we just forward startups to lawyers who do.

Similar question, different country-of-origin:

Does anyone know of any Canadians who have gotten a TN-1 visa to come work at a startup?

It's not that expensive. The problem, really, is that no sane person would wish to stop at the H1B. So, do you have a plan to get the person a greencard? That's a far more involved process and places onerous restrictions on the employee while it is pending.