Here’s the thing: being a founder from Belarus often feels like playing a game on “extreme hard mode.” Statelessness, broken systems, constant relocations—it’s a miracle we’re still standing, let alone building. But we are. And last weekend in Lisbon, during the f27.club event, we decided to shake things up. If Belarusian founders are going to build unicorns, we need bold, decisive steps. This workshop was our first leap in that direction.
The idea was simple: gather the sharpest minds, drop them into a room, and figure out how to empower stateless founders to not just survive, but dominate. We went with the World Café format because it’s designed for what we do best—intense conversations. You pick a topic, sit down with a group, hash it out, then rotate to another table with fresh perspectives. It’s like speed-dating for ideas, but with higher stakes.
The room? Packed with 82 Founders, VCs, innovators, and the people who help make this ecosystem work. It was inspiring to see over 30% women in the room, bringing plural perspectives to the table. Once the room settled into the buzz of networking and introductions, we turned our attention to the heart of the workshop.
The Big Question: How Do We Build a Silicon Valley for Stateless Founders?
This was the challenge we put on the table: how can founders without borders create ecosystems that rival the resources, culture, and innovation of traditional tech hubs? During the workshop, we approached this from five key angles, or "lenses," each designed to tackle a specific pain point for stateless founders.
Here’s a look at the lenses we explored and the key takeaways from each:
1. Culture Fit for the Stateless Team
Lens: How do you create a cohesive company culture across borders?
Leader: Lena Pishchuk from Ultra.VC
Lena explored the question of cultural cohesion in a stateless team.
“It’s one thing to gather talent globally, but it’s another to ensure everyone is aligned with a shared vision and values,” she pointed out.
Lena argued that Belarusian and Nomad founders need to emphasize transparency and trust-building from the start, incorporating regular check-ins and shared cultural touchpoints.
“Building a company culture without borders is not just possible, it’s essential if you want to attract and retain top talent across different time zones.”
Next Steps:
Develop a playbook for cultural alignment in stateless teams.
Explore regular virtual retreats to foster trust and cohesion
2. Building Identity Without Borders
Lens: How can stateless founders establish trust and credibility without a physical office?Leader: Lesia Kholodylo, User Researcher
What does identity mean when you’re a founder without a home base? At our workshop, four groups tackled this challenge from different angles, weaving a story of trust and resilience.
Group 1 explored how a founder’s personality shapes company culture, emphasizing trust and communication.
Group 2 shifted focus to how a company’s identity aligns with its founder’s brand, using social media to build credibility.
Group 3 introduced digital tools like zero-knowledge proof to replace traditional markers like passports.
Group 4 centered on values and vision as the foundation for trust and legitimacy.
As Lesia put it:“Identity isn’t just about logos or LinkedIn profiles—it’s about building trust, wherever you are. Be authentic, be clear, and find ways to make your story resonate—even in the most unexpected places.”
3. AI-Driven Future: Empowering Stateless Startups
Lens: How can AI help stateless startups compete and scale?
Leader: Aliaksandr Budnik
“AI levels the playing field between someone in Silicon Valley and someone in the middle of the Amazon rainforest,” Aliaksandr said.
The discussion highlighted how, as long as you have access to the internet, AI empowers founders to build companies from anywhere. From automating processes to analyzing data, AI makes location irrelevant
Next Steps:
Compile a list of accessible AI tools for stateless startups.
Host workshops on applying AI for scaling and operations
4. Funding & Governance for the Stateless
Lens: How can stateless companies build trust with investors and operate effectively without a physical HQ?
Leader: Mike Ananyin
“Stateless startups can build trust with investors by highlighting their flexibility and global reach. Operating without borders allows access to diverse talent, better economic conditions, and faster adaptation to markets. By using transparent tools like blockchain-based smart contracts for accountability and reporting, they address investor concerns about governance and reliability, showcasing a model that’s resilient and future-ready.
Decentralized frameworks like DAOs and network states redefine governance for stateless teams. DAOs enable global participation in decision-making, while network states align distributed teams with shared goals and values. These models foster inclusivity, operational efficiency, and trust, making stateless startups agile and scalable without a physical HQ.
To handle compliance and build investor confidence, stateless companies can use modular legal setups that ensure global regulatory alignment. Platforms like Aragon simplify governance, while ethical practices and transparency reassure stakeholders. This approach bridges traditional expectations with innovative decentralized operations, offering a compelling model for modern business."
5. Stateless Innovation vs. Hub-based R&D
Lens: How can stateless founders compete with established tech hubs?
Leader: This tablу was provided by our partner USAID/Pyxera Global
“Stateless innovation allows for agility that hub-based R&D often lacks. But to succeed, we need shared tools and a digital infrastructure that bridges the gap,” Olya said.
Key insights included the power of decentralized models like DAOs to manage collaboration and ownership, and the need for Belarusian founders to embrace digital-first solutions to stay competitive.
Next Steps:
Build partnerships with decentralized collaboration platforms.
Advocate for funding models tailored to stateless teams
The Future of Nomadic Communities
As the workshop wrapped up, it became clear that these conversations aren’t just about the Belarusian startup community. From digital nomads to climate refugees, the need to address statelessness and build truly borderless communities is no longer a niche concern—it’s the reality of the future.
The tools are already here—decentralized networks, AI, and remote collaboration platforms. The challenge now is directing them with purpose. As Naval might say:
“Leverage is everything. Whether it’s capital, code, or community, the founders who master their tools will shape the future"
And after such a rich discussion, we decided to leverage the energy in the room for a bit of fun. Olga, our community manager, stepped behind the decks for a DJ set that kept the vibes alive. The conversations were so engaging that people didn’t want to leave—even as the clock struck midnight. It was proof that when you mix big ideas with good beats, great things happen.
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