Global AI Founders Flock to SF, Despite Trump Border Talk

Entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence are flocking from around the globe to San Francisco, dubbed “the AI capital of the world.”

Many of them pack into a co-working space at 44 Montgomery Street, a port of entry for founders moving to San Francisco from overseas, the San Francisco Standard reported.

Over lemon water and table tennis, founders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas exchange advice about moving their companies across borders.

Despite Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, which includes promises to close borders and deport millions, the mood at a recent immigrant founders event in San Francisco was far from anxious.

The packed gathering at Microsoft’s AI hub was buzzing with excitement as international entrepreneurs shared plans to relocate to the Bay Area and take advantage of its thriving startup ecosystem, especially in the AI sector.

Attendees, like Emmanuel Martes from Bogotá, Colombia, discussed the appeal of San Francisco’s entrepreneurial environment.

“Here, everyone is building,” said Martes, who is relocating his Bucks fintech company to the city.

Ben Su, a Canadian AI entrepreneur, echoed the sentiment, citing San Francisco’s status as the startup capital of the world and a magnet for innovation.

Last year, San Francisco attracted $27 billion, more than 50 percent of global AI venture capital, surpassing all of Canada’s startups combined.

Despite a post-pandemic exodus of workers from the region, the AI boom has reversed the trend, drawing both local and international founders back to the Bay Area. AI leasing leads an office rebound in San Francisco.

San Francisco and Silicon Valley were the most active U.S. markets for AI leasing in the third quarter, according to CBRE. The Bay Area snagged 76 percent of all AI venture capital funding in the first half of the year.

Over the past five years, AI companies leased 3.9 million square feet in San Francisco and 2.6 million square feet in Silicon Valley.

Lee Edwards, a venture capitalist, highlighted the influx of international tech talent, noting that many of today’s leading Silicon Valley innovators came to the U.S. in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Chris Saad, a serial entrepreneur who first moved to San Francisco in 2009, returned to the city recently after several years abroad. He believes that for aspiring founders, there’s no better place than Silicon Valley to maximize success.

“If you want to build a blockbuster startup, you go to San Francisco,” Saad said.

Many immigrant founders, like Martes, are undeterred by Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric.

Despite potential challenges, they remain optimistic that the tech ecosystem, coupled with a favorable regulatory environment, will continue to fuel their ventures.

“As soon as we get the visa, we’re packing our bags,” Martes said.

— Dana Bartholomew