Prior Startup Experience, Social Networks, and Transnational Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley

Abstract

This paper contributes to our understanding of the role played by startup experience and social networks in two countries – India and the US – in influencing and enabling immigrant diaspora entrepreneurs to found cross-border ventures. Specifically, it examines the experience of 30 entrepreneurs from the Indian sub-continent, who founded their ventures in Silicon Valley, California. The entrepreneurs are unique in that they are serial entrepreneurs who founded multiple ventures, including most recently, transnational ventures. Our findings indicate that prior startup experience influences entrepreneurs’ ability to manage and operate startups. The strong ties that they develop through prior experience as well as alumni networks, help entrepreneurs to find co-founders and team members, both in the US and India. Family ties are valuable, but not essential, in establishing transnational ventures. These findings contribute to the emerging literature on transnational entrepreneurship, which is becoming a common phenomenon across the world.