Immigrants, Asian Americans, and the Decline of Entrepreneurship in America

As of 2011, first-generation immigrants or their children — from China and India in particular — had roles as founders at more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500 companies, with combined annual revenues of more than $4.2 trillion and a workforce of 10 million people worldwide. From 1995 to 2005, the share of Silicon Valley technology and engineering firms with at least one immigrant founder rose to 52 percent. But today, just when our economy desperately needs new jobs, the number of immigrant entrepreneurs launching businesses in the U.S. has stagnated and is on the verge of decline. The main culprit, many experts argue, is America’s broken immigration system. What is the role of Asian and Asian American entrepreneurs in the U.S. economy, and how is it changing? What went wrong with immigration policy in the U.S.? How can it be fixed? 

Join ASNC for a panel discussion featuring leading experts on the impact of U.S. immigration policy on attracting talent from Asia and in creating new and innovative industries. The event will also feature Vivek Wadha’s acclaimed new book, The Immigrant Exodus: Why America is Losing the Global Race to Capture Entrepreneurial Talent, which urges the U.S. to respond to the intensifying competition that countries like China and India now offer in attracting talent. The book looks at how American immigration policy has left some of the most educated and talented entrepreneurial immigrants with no choice but to take their innovation elsewhere. Moderated by Carl Bass of the leading 3D design, engineering, entertainment software company Autodesk, the discussion will also feature Annalee Saxenian, a pioneer in the study of immigration and innovation in Silicon Valley and noted immigration and legal scholar Dan Siciliano.  

Speakers include Buck Gee, Co-founder, Chinese American Community Foundation; ASNC Board Member; Vivek Wadhwa, Vice President, Academics and Innovation, Singularity University; author of The Immigrant Exodus; Annalee Saxenian, Professor and Dean of the Information School at UC Berkeley; and Dan Siciliano, Professor of the Practice of Law and Associate Dean for Executive Education and Special Programs, Stanford University. Moderated by Carl Bass, President and CEO of Autodesk. 

Copies of The Immigrant Exodus will be available for signing and purchase at the event!

Promotional Co-sponsors: Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Asia America MultiTechnology Association, AsianWeek, btrax, ChinaSF, HYSTA, Japan Policy Research Institute, MAPS at USF Center for the Pacific Rim, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Center for Economic Development, SJ Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce

Program Agenda

5:30-6:00: Registration

6:00-7:30: Panel Discussion/Audience Q&A

7:30: Reception