Episode 12: Breaking Borders — Aras Sheikhi on Immigrant Innovation, Global Teams & Startup Grit

The Innovator’s Impact

Company Stats

Guest: Aras Sheikih, Entrepreneurial Lead at UCSD, Founder & CEO of Janus Innovation Hub

Industry: Innovation / Education / Tech Incubation

Company: Janus Innovation Hub

Focus: Immigrant-founded startups, interdisciplinary innovation, early-stage incubation

Tech Stack: Distributed teams, startup incubation, cross-border venture building, early-stage mentorship

Episode Highlights

✅ Aras shares his journey across four countries and how each shaped his entrepreneurial playbook.

✅ Learn how Janus Innovation Hub is uniquely designed to support first-gen immigrant founders.

✅ Discover why “mismatch” is the root of most problems—and how reducing it unlocks opportunity.

✅ Hear why global, hybrid teams outperform local-only models in today’s innovation economy.

✅ Aras breaks down why universities must evolve—and what real-world skills matter now.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins sits down with Aras Araie, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Janus Innovation Hub. From his roots in Iran to ventures in Dubai, Australia, and now California, Aras has built and exited companies while navigating the complex challenges of startup life as an immigrant.

Now based in San Diego and working with UC San Diego, Aras is on a mission to equip first-generation immigrant founders with the tools, mentorship, and frameworks they need to succeed. He unpacks why the “mismatch” between talent and opportunity is the root cause of entrepreneurial failure—and how Janus is closing that gap with tailored support.

From distributed team strategies to hard truths about higher education and the future of AI-driven work, Aras brings a global, pragmatic lens to the innovation conversation. Whether you’re scaling your first startup or looking to build more inclusive ecosystems, this episode offers sharp, actionable insight.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: What inspired you to start Janus Innovation Hub?

A: I saw a gap—first-gen immigrant founders had potential but no tailored support. I wanted to build a new kind of playbook for them.

Q: Why San Diego?

A: Culture. UCSD gave me the right vibe, resources, and support. The ecosystem here is collaborative and diverse—perfect for what I do.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you learned during COVID?

A: How to lead distributed teams. That experience became a core strength—it’s now one of our competitive advantages.

Q: Where do companies go wrong with remote work?

A: They force returns because they don’t know how to manage people virtually. It’s a communication issue, not a productivity one.

Q: What’s your best advice for founders just starting out?

A: Find your tribe. People don’t invest in your pitch—they invest in your story and your mission. Find those true believers early.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Meet Aras Sheikhi

01:30 – A Global Entrepreneur’s Journey: Iran to Dubai to Australia

05:00 – Founding Janus Innovation Hub: The Immigrant Founder Gap

08:40 – UCSD & Choosing San Diego Over the Bay Area

11:30 – Team Building Across Time Zones: Lessons from COVID

14:30 – The Remote Work Debate: Why Hybrid Wins

17:20 – Culture, Trust & the San Diego Startup Ecosystem

20:00 – The “Mismatch” Theory: Root Cause of Most Business Problems

23:00 – Innovation as Problem-Solving for Real People

26:10 – The Future of Work: Virtual, AI-Driven

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Innovator’s Impact. If you enjoyed this conversation with Aras Sheikhi, be sure to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Don’t forget to leave us a review—it helps us spotlight more global thinkers, bold founders, and tech-powered leaders shaping the future. Learn more about our work at 81westcyber.com.