PLUG aims to help immigrant entrepreneurs to full fill their works.
PLUG is an American incubator, located in Cambridge, MA, which aims to assist immigrant entrepreneurs who have great idea but lack knowledge of American marketing and culture to set up their business.
PLUG XL is a program provided to Latin American. The program offers entrepreneurs with capital, networks, mentorship and connection in return for equity, lasting for 3 months divided between home and US-based stages.
Why Latin entrepreneurs need to immigrant to America?
America is the breeding ground for startups，for its source of opportunities, capital, education and opening culture. Latin entrepreneurs used to easily find their places in America by starting a business. Entrepreneurs are required to work full time, while they are forbidden to work full time until they get the immigrant status.
PLUG supports immigrants in the US because they are more entrepreneurial than native-born counterparts.
For the recent economic downturn, immigrants found it hard to get a dream work, especially for those who may lack education and English skills. When jobs are tight, immigrants turn to microbusiness incubator to start the business.
The anti-immigration laws have led to people having a really hard time finding jobs, even on farms. Since they have to put food on the table, they’re starting to explore their abilities and thinking of opening a business.
The biggest challenge：uncertain policy and psychological concerns.
In July, President Trump delayed implementation of the International Entrepreneur Rule to qualified entrepreneurs. The delay is said to remain in effect until March 2018. The realm of immigrant policy is still in the air.
The parole program can’t promise the entrepreneur a stable immigrant status, resulting to a dilemma in investments and recruitments. VC or investors will not invest money if the founder can’t work on it full time.
Besides, entrepreneurs may face psychological concerns about being ostracized and unwelcome, distract their faith from building a great company.
Food for All, an immigrant startup that sell restaurant food leftovers to consumers at a discounted price, has achieved huge success in the market. However, its founders are still struggling with their visa status.
PLUG works well in building an intimate and personal community.
There are 35 seats in PLUG with 57% foreign-born entrepreneurs and 43% US born, coming from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, and Scotland.
The PLUG gathers the immigrant entrepreneurs who can understand the issues they faced together, making itself an intimate and personal community to startups.
Furtherly, PLUG is trying to release the stress and staying open to immigrant entrepreneurs, preparing to be the agent of change.
