The Opportunity for Global Founders

Elena Burger is joined by a16z’s Angela Strange and Gabriel Vasquez to discuss the rise of the "borderless founder": entrepreneurs who bring the networks and insights of their home markets together with the talent, capital, and speed of Silicon Valley to build global companies. Angela and Gabriel trace how a16z's international investing efforts grew from early work in Latin America into a broader global network, and why AI has accelerated the flow of founders and talent between Silicon Valley and startup ecosystems around the world. They explore the advantages borderless founders can bring, from differentiated talent networks and early customers to strong local brands and communities that help open doors across markets. They also discuss how founder diasporas can function like powerful alumni networks, why spending time in Silicon Valley can help founders recalibrate around speed and ambition, and how the next generation of global companies may increasingly be built across multiple countries from day one. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Who Borderless Founders Are & the Origins of a16z's Global Strategy 06:35 - What International Founders Bring to the Bay Area 10:26 - Borderless vs Immigrant vs International Founder 18:04 - The Three Native Advantages: Talent, Brand & Customers 23:08 - Do Borderless Founders Have an Edge in Silicon Valley? 27:08 - How a16z Approaches a New Country or Geography 33:15 - Repeat Founders & Building Long-Term Relationships 36:50 - The Journey from Seed to Growth for International Founders 40:30 - Advice for Founders Thinking of Moving to Silicon Valley 42:25 - 10 Years From Now: The Global Topology of Startups Resources: Follow Angela Strange on X: https://x.com/astrange Follow Gabriel Vasquez on X: https://x.com/GEVS94 Follow Elena Burger on X: https://x.com/VirtualElena https://www.a16z.news/p/rise-of-the-borderless-founder Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Angela StrangeguestGabriel VasquezguestElena Burgerhost

Aug 20, 202644mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: August 20, 2026
Duration: 44m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Elena Burger is joined by a16z’s Angela Strange and Gabriel Vasquez to discuss the rise of the "borderless founder": entrepreneurs who bring the networks and insights of their home markets together with the talent, capital, and speed of Silicon Valley to build global companies. Angela and Gabriel trace how a16z's international investing efforts grew from early work in Latin America into a broader global network, and why AI has accelerated the flow of founders and talent between Silicon Valley and startup ecosystems around the world. They explore the advantages borderless founders can bring, from differentiated talent networks and early customers to strong local brands and communities that help open doors across markets. They also discuss how founder diasporas can function like powerful alumni networks, why spending time in Silicon Valley can help founders recalibrate around speed and ambition, and how the next generation of global companies may increasingly be built across multiple countries from day one. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Who Borderless Founders Are & the Origins of a16z's Global Strategy 06:35 - What International Founders Bring to the Bay Area 10:26 - Borderless vs Immigrant vs International Founder 18:04 - The Three Native Advantages: Talent, Brand & Customers 23:08 - Do Borderless Founders Have an Edge in Silicon Valley? 27:08 - How a16z Approaches a New Country or Geography 33:15 - Repeat Founders & Building Long-Term Relationships 36:50 - The Journey from Seed to Growth for International Founders 40:30 - Advice for Founders Thinking of Moving to Silicon Valley 42:25 - 10 Years From Now: The Global Topology of Startups Resources: Follow Angela Strange on X: https://x.com/astrange Follow Gabriel Vasquez on X: https://x.com/GEVS94 Follow Elena Burger on X: https://x.com/VirtualElena https://www.a16z.news/p/rise-of-the-borderless-founder Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Angela Strange
guest
a16z general partner and fintech investor focused on financial services and global founders.
Gabriel Vasquez
guest
a16z investor focused on global/borderless founders and founder community building, with roots in El Salvador.
Elena Burger
host
Host at a16z who moderates and interviews guests on the a16z podcast.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Angela Strange and Gabriel Vasquez, The Opportunity for Global Founders explores how borderless founders use diaspora networks to win globally faster a16z’s global strategy evolved from early Latin America fintech investing into a broader “borderless founders” thesis driven by diaspora networks and AI’s acceleration of global company-building.

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