{"id":513481,"date":"2022-11-21T17:30:41","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T14:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/"},"modified":"2022-11-21T17:30:41","modified_gmt":"2022-11-21T14:30:41","slug":"slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/","title":{"rendered":"#Slush\u2019s startup pitch competition transformed into a political nightmare"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dd1cb4b116\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dd1cb4b116\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#%E2%80%9CSlushs_startup_pitch_competition_transformed_into_a_political_nightmare%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Slush\u2019s startup pitch competition transformed into a political nightmare&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#A_statement_from_Slush\" >A statement from Slush<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#Join_TNW_in_Valencia\" >Join TNW in Valencia!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#Who_is_Immigram\" >Who is Immigram?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#What_has_been_the_response_to_the_victory\" >What has been the response to the victory?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#Uncomfortable_conversations_are_necessary\" >Uncomfortable conversations are necessary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/slushs-startup-pitch-competition-transformed-into-a-political-nightmare\/#Money_over_everything\" >Money over everything<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CSlushs_startup_pitch_competition_transformed_into_a_political_nightmare%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Slush\u2019s startup pitch competition transformed into a political nightmare&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            Usually, the winners of a pitching competition are bathed with accolades, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a> attention, and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lause. After it\u2019s done and dusted, all they have to think about is what to spend that sweet, sweet prize money on.<\/p>\n<p>But, this year, for one startup, things haven\u2019t gone to plan. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/immigram.io\/\">Immigram<\/a> \u2014 the winner of the Slush 100 startup competition \u2014 is mired in controversy due to its links with the Russian tech scene. Not only are the founders Russian passport holders, but it\u2019s also recruiting tech workers to move to Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>This left many wondering why the judging panel decided to invest in a company with such strong links to the Russian business scene. In response to pressure, Slush rescinded the award.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_statement_from_Slush\"><\/span>A statement from Slush<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper channel-cta\">\n<div class=\"ica-text\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Join_TNW_in_Valencia\"><\/span>Join TNW in Valencia!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The heart of tech is coming to the heart of the Mediterranean<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Slush released a statement in which it revoked Immigram\u2019s win and requested that the funds pull their potential investment from the startup. But, yes, VCs may still decide to invest in Immigram. At the time of writing, investors on the judging panel have been silent.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"zxx\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UzvmP86wNn\">pic.twitter.com\/UzvmP86wNn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Slush (@SlushHQ) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SlushHQ\/status\/1594648547911147521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 21, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>Immigram also confirmed on LinkedIn that it is <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/immigram_immigram-opts-out-of-slush-competition-we-activity-7000412231192436736-wjtm?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop\">opting out<\/a> of the Slush competition.<\/span><span aria-label=\"\" class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"\/><span>\u201cWe will continue supporting Ukraine and building a company for millions of talented people who want to move internationally,\u201d the Russian-born company noted in the post.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>But let\u2019s take a step back.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_is_Immigram\"><\/span>Who is Immigram?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Immigram is a B2B SaaS platform enabling employers to attract and retain international talent by guiding them through the myriad of paperwork to enter the different employment markets. 10% of their clients have been Russians. You can check out their winning pitch <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OSiacsn-BwY&amp;t=25274s\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Judges awarded them a \u20ac1m investment from five top VCs: Accel, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General<\/a> Catalyst, Lightspeed Venture Partners, NEA and Northzone.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_has_been_the_response_to_the_victory\"><\/span>What has been the response to the victory?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unsurprisingly, there was a big outcry to the win over the last few days, with many questioning the decision. Investigations into the company by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ain.capital\/2022\/11\/19\/russian-immigram-won-1m\/\">AIN.Capital<\/a>\u00a0found that the startup is <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hh.ru\/employer\/4945741\">hiring for roles based in Moscow<\/a>: \u201cThe same positions can be found on the startup\u2019s career page, and they are marked as remote.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1392326 js-lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"496\" height=\"496\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-796x796.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-796x796.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-210x210.jpeg 210w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-135x135.jpeg 135w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-96x96.jpeg 96w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-270x270.jpeg 270w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-192x192.jpeg 192w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289.jpeg 800w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Ftech%2F2022%2F11%2F21%2Fslush-revokes-pitching-competition-winner-immigrams-controversial-award%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The response from the startup community and TechUkraine.\" data-title=\"Share The response from the startup community and TechUkraine. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The response from the startup community and TechUkraine. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The response from the startup community and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/techukraine_russian-startup-that-assists-russian-migrating-activity-7000133763884015616-_yaS?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop\">TechUkraine<\/a>.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1392326\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-796x796.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"496\" height=\"496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-796x796.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-210x210.jpeg 210w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-135x135.jpeg 135w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-96x96.jpeg 96w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-270x270.jpeg 270w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289-192x192.jpeg 192w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1668975831289.jpeg 800w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Twitter has, unsurprisingly, been in uproar:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">So while Ukrainian IT specialists are dying in trenches or struggling to work during blackout you are giving money to a startupwhich help russian its who\u2019ve helped this regime while it was comfortable for them and fleeing when it\u2019s not?<br \/>Is this some kind of bad joke?<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u0422\u0440\u0438\u0432\u043e\u0436\u043d\u0430 \u043a\u0430\u0440\u0442\u043e\u043f\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043a\u0430 (@nimvalar) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nimvalar\/status\/1594087798943907840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 19, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">i have a company \u2018tickets_for goebbels_to_argentina\u2019.<br \/>can i have my one million dollars?<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Tuany Muonteana (@hyperOff) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hyperOff\/status\/1594060994648584192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 19, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Oh Slush, you lose your brand image in one shot\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dyno Musk (N\u00e9 Elon) (@offlinethyrano) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/offlinethyrano\/status\/1594062782411857920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 19, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Yaroslav Krempovych, Senior Associate at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/movenscapital.com\/\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Movens Capital<\/span><\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/krempovych_slush2022-startup-activity-6999466882059649024-SDYN\/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_ios\">openly called Immigram out<\/a> on LinkedIn, noting the contrast between Ukrainian <span>startup founders fighting and dying on the frontlines \u201cfor the lives of their families and loved ones and their country\u2019s freedom\u201d while \u201cothers seek to assist Russians to escape the repercussions of their acts and inactions\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Today, he shared that one of their clients was proudly pro-Putin in <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/edu.backsheev\/\">public forums<\/a>. Should a company be held accountable for the views of its clients when it puts them forward as talent?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1392323 size-featured_img js-lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"796\" height=\"498\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-796x498.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-796x498.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-280x175.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-216x135.jpeg 216w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-432x270.jpeg 432w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280.jpeg 1280w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Ftech%2F2022%2F11%2F21%2Fslush-revokes-pitching-competition-winner-immigrams-controversial-award%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: A successful Russian Immigram client shares his views and seeks investment.\" data-title=\"Share A successful Russian Immigram client shares his views and seeks investment. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share A successful Russian Immigram client shares his views and seeks investment. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>A successful Russian Immigram client shares his views and seeks investment.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1392323 size-featured_img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-796x498.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"796\" height=\"498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-796x498.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-280x175.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-216x135.jpeg 216w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280-432x270.jpeg 432w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/1669028807280.jpeg 1280w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<div class=\"comments-comment-item-content-body break-words\">\n<div class=\"feed-shared-inline-show-more-text feed-shared-inline-show-more-text--expanded comments-comment-item__inline-show-more-text\" tabindex=\"-1\">\nAnother relocation \u201csuccess story\u201d is a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/immigram.io\/gtv\">designer<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>who relocated to London. A quick background check by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tetiana-poudel\/\">Teti Poudel<\/a> reveals she designed a website for a Russian construction company in the occupied Crimea.<\/p>\n<p>Bear in mind, this is all taking place at a time when millions of Ukrainians have been forced to either flee their homes or join the Armed Forces. TNW journalist Thomas Macaulay covered some of this following his attendance at IT Arena 2022 in October, an annual conference in the city of Lviv showcasing the sector\u2019s vital role in the war.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While I spoke to several Ukrainians at Slush this year, one who spoke of trying to write blog posts in her bathroom under the light of a candle, hoping for some internet connectivity. Nothing is easy in this environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>What makes it worse is that the second and third placeholders were<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sociability.app\/\"> <span>Sociability<\/span><\/a><span> (UK), mobile app makers helping disabled people find accessible places, and<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/zeely.app\/\"> <span>Zeely<\/span><\/a><span> (Ukraine), a mobile-first website &amp; ad builder with AI-powered marketing tools for non-marketers. Yep, you had a Russian and a Ukrainian startup competing in the top three.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Uncomfortable_conversations_are_necessary\"><\/span>Uncomfortable conversations are necessary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s a lot you could say about this situation. Since the controversy, Anastasia Mirolyubova, CEO and Co-Founder of Immigram, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/anastasia-mirolyubova_immigramstanceonthewar-activity-7000007897736691712-94I_?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">shared<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> <\/span>on LinkedIn that she left Russia in 2016 \u201cpartially for political reasons.\u201d According to her, this followed the repression and detainment of close friends by the government. She claims she has \u201cnever lived [in Russia] since, neither conducted business or paid taxes [there],\u201d despite proof the company is hiring for workers to operate in Russia.<\/p>\n<p>In response to the controversy, she said that, \u201cYesterday, I started getting death threats and wishes for rightfully winning a startup competition with the wrong colour passport. That is very wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This is a situation where a lot of people are in the wrong.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Money_over_everything\"><\/span>Money over everything<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In many ways, we\u2019ve found ourselves in a common capitalist pitfall: cash won over ethics. Immigram came top because the uncomfortable truth is that investors are only involved because they want to make money.<\/p>\n<p>Honestly, the fact that Immigram is supporting the Russian tech and startup scene means it should never have been able to enter Slush\u2019s competition in the first place.<\/p>\n<p>And let\u2019s face it: the company\u2019s product is not exactly humanitarian aid. Instead, it fast-tracks the bureaucracy of those eligible for a global talent visa in academia and research, arts and culture, or digital <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a>. Only a small percentage of the population has this kind of education, talent, or privilege \u2014 and the majority of them are white men.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, there is a massive grey area here. Should we hold citizens accountable for the actions of their governments? Is \u2014 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2022\/04\/12\/as-russians-head-for-the-exits-immigram-platform-launches-to-scale-professional-migration\/\">as TechCrunch pointed out in the past<\/a> \u2014 hiring workers from Russia actually damaging the Kremlin? Should funds invest in countries engaged in warfare?<\/p>\n<p>These are all vital topics we need to discuss, but the key fact is, in such troubling times, more due diligence needs to be taken in startup competitions. The selection criteria and what constitutes links to a power like Russia are of the utmost importance. And, in that, Slush failed. Let\u2019s hope that the startup world takes note and stops travesties like this from happening again.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/slush-revokes-pitching-competition-winner-immigrams-controversial-award\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Slush\u2019s startup pitch competition transformed into a political nightmare&#8221; Usually, the winners of a pitching competition are bathed with accolades, media attention, and applause. After it\u2019s done and dusted, all they have to think about is what to spend that sweet, sweet prize money on. But, this year, for one startup, things haven\u2019t gone to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":513482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/11\/header-image-immigram.jpg&signature=a63bce80f1078914cf499a6e6a454c7b","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-513481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/513481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=513481"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/513481\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/513482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=513481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=513481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=513481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}