International students make up about 15% of the student body at the University of Michigan.

They bring interesting new perspectives from 50 countries around the world to our little midwest city. They pay higher than average tuition and in my experience they are some of the most dynamic, interesting contributors to our entrepreneurial community.

The problem for entrepreneurship educators is that US Immigration laws make it really hard for international students to start companies, and the rules change all the time so the university doesn’t give them the legal advice they need. We basically tell them to get a job because it’s safe.

So at the Center for Entrepreneurship we’re training them to do something that is almost impossible.

In this episode you’ll meet Deepti Pandey.

She’s the founder of EquiHome and someone I know is destined for success. She’s outgoing, curious, and smart. And she’s done and seen a lot for someone so young.

This is the first episode in a two-part series for International Student Entrepreneurs.

In the first episode we meet a talented and passionate international student entrepreneur trying to launch a business.

In the second episode – “Immigration Law for International Student Founders” – we talk to an immigration and employment lawyer about strategies international students can take if they want to build their company in the U.S.

Photo: Nareeta Martin on Unsplash

Music: “Muy Tranquilo” (Gramatik) & “Open” (Moby Gratis)