Immigify, a Nigerian-owned, US-based startup that is tackling challenges faced by skilled professionals navigating the US immigration system, has been selected for the 2025 Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator cohort
The startup, an AI-powered platform co-founded by Emma Olorunsheyi and Deji Adesola, is based in Oklahoma City. According to the founders, their goal is to simplify and make efficient how international talents secure opportunities in the United States.
Its story also spotlights the ingenuity and resilience of Nigerian founders. Emma and Deji, both seasoned entrepreneurs, bring a wealth of experience from their previous endeavour, HostNowNow.
HostNowNow was designed to provide reliable digital infrastructure. The experience helped both founders to hone their abilities to identify market gaps and deliver impactful solutions.
Having relocated to the U.S., the duo have set their sights on a global challenge: simplifying the U.S. immigration process for businesses and professionals.
Immigify’s inclusion in the 2025 Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator underscores its potential to reshape the future of work. Selected from hundreds of applicants, Immigify joins ten other innovative startups in the programme’s fifth cohort, backed by Techstars, the world’s largest pre-seed investor with a portfolio of over 4,800 early-stage companies.
The accelerator will run in partnership with the Strada Education Foundation and World Education Services (WES). It offers seed investment, mentorship from Techstars’ global network, and intensive business coaching over three months.
For Immigify, this is a golden opportunity to scale its vision under the guidance of industry leaders like Managing Director Dave Cass, who praised the cohort’s blend of “innovation and pragmatism” in addressing workforce challenges.
How Immigify works
The startup uses AI to streamline the U.S. immigration process for businesses with international teams. It also simplifies visa eligibility screening, employer matching, and application processing for employment-based green cards and work-based visa categories such as H-1B, EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) and O-1 visas.
These visa types are critical pathways for skilled professionals seeking to relocate to the U.S., often with their families, to contribute to the workforce. The startup boasts a 100% approval rate.
For many, the complexity of these processes, laden with legal jargon, endless paperwork, and unpredictable timelines, can be a barrier to opportunity. Immigify aims to dismantle those barriers, offering a trusted, structured pathway that empowers talent and employers alike.
The inspiration behind Immigify is deeply personal for Emma and Deji. Having navigated their journeys from Nigeria to the U.S., they understand the pain points of immigration firsthand.
“We’ve seen how convoluted and stressful the process can be,” Deji shared in a recent interview. “With Immigify, we’re not just building a tool; we’re creating a lifeline for professionals who deserve a chance to thrive here.”
Emma echoes this sentiment, emphasising their goal to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.
“The U.S. economy benefits immensely from international expertise, but the system hasn’t kept pace with that reality. We’re here to change that,” he said.
The platform’s AI-driven approach is a game-changer. By automating eligibility assessments and matching candidates with employers, Immigify reduces the time and cost of visa applications. For businesses, this means faster access to global talent; for individuals, it’s a clearer path to securing work authorisation.
The focus on H-1B visas, which allow companies to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations; EB-2 NIW green cards for those whose work benefits the U.S. national interest; and O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary abilities reflects Immigify’s commitment to high-impact professionals like engineers, tech innovators, and healthcare professionals.
Immigify’s Nigerian roots add a layer of significance to its mission. Nigeria, a country teeming with entrepreneurial spirit, has produced a growing number of tech leaders making their mark globally. Emma and Deji’s success with HostNowNow laid the groundwork for their current venture.
Their transition from Nigeria to the U.S. mirrors the aspirations of countless skilled Nigerians and Africans seeking to contribute to the world’s largest economy. In this sense, Immigify is more than a startup; it’s a beacon for diaspora talent, proving that Nigerian innovation can solve universal problems.
The Techstars program offers Immigify a platform to refine its technology and expand its reach. Over the next three months, the founders will tap into mentorship from Denver’s business community and Techstars’ worldwide network, gaining insights to fine-tune their business model.
The accelerator’s track record speaks for itself. Its first four cohorts produced 44 companies that collectively raised over $70 million. For Immigify, this is a chance to join that legacy, scaling its impact and solidifying its place in the workforce development ecosystem.
Beyond its technological prowess, Immigify embodies a human-centred mission.
“We’re not just about visas,” Adesola explains. “We’re about families reuniting, careers flourishing, and communities growing stronger.”
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