Empirical analyses of founders behind U.S. unicorns clearly underscore this reality. Of 1,078 founders behind 500 U.S. unicorns, 474 (approximately 44 percent) were born outside the United States. Among them are 18 founders with German roots. Nearly every second billion-dollar company founded in the U.S. can thus be attributed to international entrepreneurs. These figures are not coincidental, but reflect a structural pattern: global talent mobility is a key driver of innovation—particularly in technology-intensive fields of the future such as artificial intelligence.

The strength of internationally shaped innovation ecosystems is exemplified by New York City. The greater metropolitan area is now one of the world’s leading AI clusters, with more than 2,000 AI startups, 35 AI unicorns, around $17 billion in venture capital, and over 40,000 AI professionals. This global competitiveness is not driven by capital or infrastructure alone, but above all by institutional openness: openness to international talent, diverse perspectives, and entrepreneurial risk. Innovation ecosystems thrive where diversity is understood as a driver.

International developments further highlight the potential of increased participation by female founders. In the U.S., nearly every second new business is now started by a woman—a clear signal of how dynamic and innovative diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems can be. This trend can also serve as an important impetus for Germany to further strengthen its startup environment, reduce barriers, and enable more entrepreneurial initiative.

At this very intersection, AHK New York sees itself as an active facilitator. With our STEP USA program, we not only provide access to the U.S. market, but also institutional connectivity to one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. In combination with platforms like FEMWORX, it becomes clear: the future of successful innovation hubs lies in the strategic integration of internationalization, industrial expertise, and inclusive talent development. Our ambition is to translate global perspectives into economic impact and enable innovation where diversity meets entrepreneurial responsibility.

A contribution by FEMWORX in collaboration with Susanne Johnson, Director of Consulting Services, Executive Director - Philadelphia Chapter, German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Sources:
https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/foreign-born-entrepreneurs-drive-americas-unicorn-boom-strebulaev-stanford/
https://www.technyc.org/nyc-tech-snapshot-2025