How to Break into SF as an Immigrant Founder

Moving to SF as an immigrant founder, it can feel like everyone already knows everyone, so how do you actually break in? Founders on Tap gathered three founders who have done it: built companies, raised millions, and figured out Silicon Valley from scratch.

The first lesson: your network isn't who you knew before you landed, it's who you meet in your first 90 days. The right events, the right rooms, the right follow-ups. SF also runs on rules nobody writes down, like how fundraising conversations actually work, and how founder culture here is different from anywhere else.

The last one stuck: you don't need an established network, you need to give before you ask. Reach out to help someone with no expectation of return, or just ask directly for what you need. That's what makes you memorable. The specifics stayed in the room.