What Immigrants Build.

Want to be the founder of the next billion-dollar unicorn?

Apparently, your odds may be better if you're an immigrant or the child of one.

A recent National Foundation for American Policy study found that immigrants founded or co-founded 59% of America's privately held startups worth $1 billion or more as of April 2026.

When you include children of immigrants, that number jumps to 66%.

The story of immigrants coming to America and building successful businesses is certainly nothing new, but I didn't realize how prevalent it still is today.

My father was born in Sicily and came to the U.S. in 1955 aboard the Saturnia. He was 12 years old. My mother was born here, but her grandparents immigrated from Italy as well.

I don't think PPW is destined to become the next billion-dollar unicorn, but I'm grateful for my background.

I'll never know the same level of sacrifice or grit that the generations before me did. But I'd like to think some of it trickled down.

Now I just have to figure out how to pass some of it on to my kids.