Did you know that 55% of billion-dollar US companies have one thing in common? Immigrant founders. According to the National Foundation for American Policy immigrant founders are driving innovation and changing the way businesses operate. When you include the children of immigrants in these statistics, the percentage of billion-dollar companies founded or co-founded by an immigrant jumps to 64%.

U.S. universities have played a critical role in fostering immigrant talent, particularly in emerging sectors like media and artificial intelligence (AI). The cross-cultural insights offered by immigrant entrepreneurs are the source behind disruptive innovation.

Eric Yuan, originally from China and the visionary behind Zoom, perfectly embodies the emerging pattern among immigrant entrepreneurs. After completing his education in China, Yuan moved to the U.S. to attend Stanford University. In Silicon Valley, he embraced the culture of rapid innovation and entrepreneurship. Yuan leveraged his experience at Stanford, as well as his technical background, to create Zoom. His company has not only revolutionized business interactions but has also become a vital platform in media and education. The platform supports virtual events, live broadcasting, and content creation.

Similarly, Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare, left Canada to attend Harvard Business School. Her exposure to the American entrepreneurial landscape helped her co-found Cloudflare which is now central to securing the Internet for businesses, media companies, and government institutions alike. Cloudflare has been particularly critical in enabling secure and scalable online media experiences for companies.

Vlad Tenev, originally from Bulgaria, is another immigrant entrepreneur who tapped into U.S. education to shape a game-changing company. After graduating from UCLA, Tenev co-founded Robinhood, a platform that democratized stock trading by leveraging AI and automation. Robinhood’s AI-driven recommendations and simplified trading process reflect a growing trend where entrepreneurs harness AI to make complex business systems more accessible.

U.S. Universities Drive Entrepreneurship and Innovation

U.S. universities have become global hubs for entrepreneurship. Digital developments are being made in cutting-edge fields like AI, media, and digital business. In a report recently released by the National Foundation for American Policy, it was cited that two-thirds of the top AI companies in the United States were founded or co-founded by immigrants. According to an educational study on The Role of Universities in Attracting Immigrant Entrepreneurs, more than 75% of immigrant entrepreneurs received some form of education in the United States. 

U.S. universities offer more than just academic education. They give students direct access to AI research, media technologies, and global business trends. Schools like Stanford, MIT, and Harvard have become leaders in AI research. Immigrant students learn how to gain a unique perspective as they combine their viewpoints with Western business practices. This enables them to create solutions that have both global and local appeal.

Immigrant Entrepreneur’s Role in the AI and Media Revolution

The impact of immigrant entrepreneurs extends far beyond traditional sectors. In media and AI, where U.S. leadership is being constantly challenged by global competitors, immigrant founders have helped push the boundaries of what’s possible. According to research by the American Immigration Council, 44% of Fortune 500 companies were established by immigrants or their children. When looking at AI-driven startups in the U.S., a recent NFAP report states that 65% of the top 43 AI companies in the United States were established by immigrants.  

Eric Yuan’s Zoom is one example of how media and AI are converging. Zoom’s AI capabilities are streamlining the communication processes. Advancements from real-time translations to automated meeting summaries are helping businesses innovate. Similarly, Michelle Zatlyn’s Cloudflare plays an essential role in protecting businesses from cyber threats so that they can operate securely at scale.

Vlad Tenev’s Robinhood, on the other hand, represents how AI can democratize access to financial markets. The app’s intuitive design simplifies investing, making it accessible to millions of users who would otherwise find the process complex. By automating trading and investment advice, Robinhood has made stock trading as easy as ordering a product online.

The Future of Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Business, Media, and AI

As global competition for talent intensifies, U.S. universities will continue to play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of business leaders. By providing access to cutting-edge technology, mentorship, and financial aid, these institutions ensure that immigrant students can thrive and lead the development of transformative companies.

The next wave of entrepreneurs will increasingly rely on AI to drive efficiencies and solve complex problems across industries. In media, AI is already enabling content creators to produce and distribute work more efficiently. Automation tools have revolutionized customer service, marketing, and product development. These innovations are core to all U.S. businesses, regardless of size. The innovation experience begins with U.S. universities. They are at the heart of this innovation as they equip immigrant entrepreneurs with the tools they need to lead these changes.

For international students who have become entrepreneurs like me, who have benefitted from the financial and academic opportunities at U.S. institutions, the future looks bright. By bridging cultural perspectives with cutting-edge Western innovation practices, immigrant entrepreneurs will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Media, Web3, and AI.