OpenSphere

Plan B exists: O-1A visa. No lottery. No cap. Not tied to a single employer. OpenSphere's AI checks your eligibility in minutes. Most people who think they don't qualify actually do. Check your O-1A eligibility for free: evaluation.opensphere.ai/best-visa-for-… #H1B #O1Visa #Immigration

4/ Registration: March 4-19 Fee: $215/person If selected → file petition If NOT selected → you need Plan B

The H-1B lottery opens TOMORROW. But this year is fundamentally different. Here's what changed (and what it means for you):

A massive shift in U.S. immigration: visa processing for 75 countries will halt on January 21 with no end date announced. What’s changing immediately: - Consular officers directed to issue refusals under existing law - Applicants judged more heavily on finances, long-term care needs, and English proficiency - Health and age-related concerns now central to screening For millions preparing to study, work, or reunite with family in the U.S., this is the policy update that resets the entire playbook.

Surprised by your score? We help people get O-1A, EB-1A, and NIW visas. Free evaluation → evaluation.opensphere.ai/best-visa-for-… Know someone who should take this quiz? Send them this thread.

Now count your "yes" answers: 3+ → You likely qualify 1-2 → You might qualify (framing matters) 0 → Not yet, but buildable Most people undersell themselves.

Do you qualify for an O-1A? Take this 30-second quiz to find out. (And make sure to keep track of your answers).

@aarthir congrats on the great start aarthi, any founders need help with visa to move? dm and we will take care of everything!

On founding team sizes: •Companies with 2 co-founders = 10 (71%)  •Solo founders = 2 companies (14%)  •3+ co-founders = 2 companies (14%) Most are based in SF/Bay Area. A few relocated there after starting elsewhere (not surprising!)

It's been a little over 9 months since I wired my first check as a solo GP at my firm, Schema Ventures.  Here’s a few observations:

@drgurner Focus is the highest-leverage asset any builder has, and keeping your digital environment clean is the best way to protect it. Choosing to build instead of react is a competitive advantage that few people realize they can simply opt into.

Your life online will improve dramatically if you just refuse negativity. Outrage, panic, hopelessness, "they will kill us all" & civil war nonsense. Refuse anything that tries to pit you against your fellow citizens. Golden Rule, block the rest, be happy, and build a fortune.

@nikunj We see this often at OpenSphere where the founders who move mountains to get here usually have a mission that goes far beyond the noise of the moment. Intention is the only thing that sustains you when the "just because" energy inevitably fades.

There's a LOT of "just because I can.." energy in SF right now.. When you dig enough with anyone (employees, founders, GPs, LPs) on the "why" they are doing something, the real answer is "because they can". Secure the bag or don't be part of the permanent underclass are similar phrases you'll continue to hear. That feeling is and will continue to be fleeting. My urge is to ignore the noise and find the real reason to do something. Because, honestly that's the only thing that's permanent and will be fulfilling. Intention has never been more important.

The U.S. immigration system just hit the emergency brake. Starting Jan 1, 2026, USCIS is freezing benefit applications for 39 "high-risk" countries. If your case is pending, it’s likely on ice. What you need to know: → The Freeze: All pending green cards, N-400s, and I-751s are on hold. → The Re-Review: Cases approved since Jan 20, 2021, are being re-opened for "comprehensive vetting." → The Blockade: Interviews and oath ceremonies are being canceled indefinitely. → The Full Ban list (19 countries) includes: Afghanistan, Syria, Haiti, Iran, Yemen, and Burma. → The Partial Ban list (20 countries) includes: Nigeria, Venezuela, Cuba, Tanzania, and Senegal. Vetting is no longer a formality - it’s a barrier. If your citizenship decision is delayed more than 120 days post-interview, the law allows you to file a Mandamus lawsuit to force a decision. Don’t let your future sit in a USCIS desk drawer while the rules change under your feet.