📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

This Immigrant Entrepreneur and DACA Recipient Raised Over $15 Million in Funding (Podcast) Airfox co-founder Victor Santos shares his best pitching advice and how his identity as an immigrant inspired him to become an entrepreneur.

By Hayden Field

entrepreneur daily
Joe Makarski

Google. Pfizer. Tesla. eBay. Capital One. AT&T. These companies were all founded, completely or in part, by immigrants, who account for close to 30 percent of all new entrepreneurs in the U.S. Victor Santos, who emigrated from Brazil at age 12, is one of them.

Santos co-founded Airfox, a mobile financial services company for unbanked individuals in emerging markets, and he's also a DACA recipient. (DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an American immigration policy allowing for some immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to receive a renewable stay on deportation action.)

On this episode of How Success Happens, Santos recalls how, during his fundraising process, venture capitalists told him they didn't feel comfortable with his immigration status. He also shares his five-year plan for the company, his best advice for pitching a business idea and how his identity as an immigrant inspired him as an entrepreneur.

Hayden Field

Entrepreneur Staff

Associate Editor

Hayden Field is an associate editor at Entrepreneur. She covers technology, business and science. Her work has also appeared in Fortune Magazine, Mashable, Refinery29 and others. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

Most People Have No Business Starting a Business. Here's What to Consider Before You Become an Entrepreneur

You need to find the right business opportunity at the right time and take the right steps to beat the odds.

Leadership

AI vs. Humanity — Why Humans Will Always Win in Content Creation

With the proliferation and integration of AI across organizations and business units, PR and marketing professionals may be tempted to lean into this new technology more than recommended.

Business News

Passengers Are Now Entitled to a Full Cash Refund for Canceled Flights, 'Significant' Delays

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new rules for commercial passengers on Wednesday.

Growing a Business

Who You Hire Matters — Here's How to Form a Team That's Built to Last

Among the many challenges related to managing a small business, hiring a quality team of employees is one of the most important. Check out this list of tips and best practices to find the best people for your business.

Franchise

Franchising Is Not For Everyone. Explore These Lucrative Alternatives to Expand Your Business.

Not every business can be franchised, nor should it. While franchising can be the right growth vehicle for someone with an established brand and proven concept that's ripe for growth, there are other options available for business owners.

Management

7 Ways You Can Use AI to 10x Your Leadership Skills

While technology can boost individual efficiency and effectiveness, it's essential to balance their use with human intuition and creativity to avoid losing personal connection and to optimize workplace satisfaction.