​Understanding how to launch a startup in the U.S. as an international founder can be complex, especially when navigating different visa options. This interactive session will break down what it takes to qualify for the O-1 “Extraordinary Ability” visa, especially for technical innovators building high-impact companies.

​[RSVP REQUIRED]

​In this session, you will learn:

• ​The 8 key eligibility categories for the O-1A visa

• ​Common founder paths and real-world case studies

• ​Actionable steps to build a compelling application (press, research, judging, etc.)

• ​Insights from immigration experts, experienced VCs, and founders who’ve done it

​Ideal for:

• ​Engineers and researchers on F-1, OPT, STEM, or H-1B visas exploring startup opportunities

• ​Early-stage founders looking to understand what qualifies under “extraordinary ability”

• ​Anyone building toward a longer-term status while staying focused on innovation

​Speakers:

​Manan Mehta, Founding Partner at Unshackled Ventures

​Manan Mehta is the Founding Partner of Unshackled Ventures, a pre-seed fund designed to support immigrant founders in the U.S. Since launching in 2014, Unshackled has backed 100+ companies, helped create over 1,000 jobs, and supported teams that have raised more than $1B. A husband to a nurse and father of two, Manan is a collegiate national dance champion, mindfulness practitioner, coach, and lifelong sports enthusiast.

​Anna Marie Garcia, Senior Attorney at Goeschl Law

​Anna Marie Garcia is an experienced immigration attorney who has handled highly complex cases in all areas of immigration. She has practiced immigration law for over 19 years and joined Goeschl Law Corporation in January 2017. Her immigration practice areas include employment-based nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas with a concentration on alien of extraordinary ability petitions for O-1 and EB-1 visas; family-based immigration matters; naturalization; waivers of inadmissibility; and removal proceedings.

​Minn Kim, Founder at Lighthouse

​Minn Kim is the Founder and CEO of Lighthouse, the fastest immigration solution for the world's top technical talent. Previously, she served as Partner at On Deck, where she built a global accelerator supporting thousands of international founders, and as Principal at Bloomberg Beta, investing in AI, machine learning tools, and robotics startups. She is based in San Francisco and is an avid triathlete and dinner party host.

​📍 Hosted by Unshackled Ventures at Shack15
📅 Tuesday, July 23 | 3:30–5:00 PM PT
🎟️ RSVP required - You will not be able to enter the event location if you have not RSVP'd

​This event is 21+

​Please review our House Rules and Guest Code of Conduct.

​About SHACK15

​SHACK15 is a community for Founders, Innovators and Changemakers. Located in the iconic San Francisco Ferry Building with panoramic views of the Bay, SHACK15 provides the stage for a diverse global community to gather and connect.

​SHACK15 Location

​We’re located on the 2nd floor of San Francisco's Ferry Building. Please use the elevator to come to the 2nd floor in the Ferry Building’s “Office Lobby” - located underneath the giant clock tower, on the left side of the main market entrance.