George PuHonest Money

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All articles by George Pu.

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Hiring Your First Engineer in London vs. San Francisco: A True Cost Analysis

Hiring Your First Engineer in London vs. San Francisco: A True Cost Analysis

Key Takeaways: * Hiring in London costs 50% less than in San Francisco. * Equity expectations in London are lower, preserving ownership for founders. * San Francisco offers unparalleled talent and networks, but at a premium. Hiring your first engineer is one of the most critical steps for any startup. This decision shapes your product, culture, and budget, so choosing the right location—London or San Francisco—can significantly impact your company’s future. Both cities are global hubs for

·4 min
Launching a Public Changelog: 90-Day Plan for Founders

Launching a Public Changelog: 90-Day Plan for Founders

Key Takeaways * Public changelogs improve feature adoption, reduce support tickets, and build customer trust. * A structured 90-day plan ensures a seamless launch. * Consistency, user-focused updates, and feedback are key to long-term success. Why Public Changelogs Matter for Early-Stage Startups Building a startup is chaotic—managing product development, acquiring customers, and keeping everyone in sync. One tool that can cut through the noise is a public changelog. A public changelog h

·4 min
Security Updates in Changelogs: What to Share, What to Hide

Security Updates in Changelogs: What to Share, What to Hide

Learn security changelog best practices: what to share, what to hide, and how to communicate CVEs and vulnerabilities—while keeping users safe and auditors happy.

·3 min
Remote-First Visa Strategy: How to Build Globally Without Immigration

Remote-First Visa Strategy: How to Build Globally Without Immigration

Learn how to build a global team without immigration. Explore remote-first visa strategies, tax optimization, compliance, and multi-country hiring structures for SaaS founders.

·3 min
Building O-1A Evidence on Zero Budget: The Founder’s Guide

Building O-1A Evidence on Zero Budget: The Founder’s Guide

Founders: Learn how to build O-1A visa evidence with zero PR budget. Practical strategies for conference speaking, DIY media coverage, and a 6-month milestone plan.

·3 min
Changelog Distribution: Where (Else) Should You Share Your Product Updates?

Changelog Distribution: Where (Else) Should You Share Your Product Updates?

Changelog distribution done right: See where to share product updates—Slack, in-app, social, and more. Multi-channel tips, calendar, and automation examples.

·3 min
The Changelog as a Marketing Channel: Driving Upsells and Cross-Sells

The Changelog as a Marketing Channel: Driving Upsells and Cross-Sells

Turn your changelog into a SaaS marketing engine. Learn changelog marketing strategies, CTAs, and templates that drive upgrades, cross-sells, and product adoption.

·3 min
O-1A vs UK Innovator vs Remote-First: Which Path Should Founders Choose in 2025?

O-1A vs UK Innovator vs Remote-First: Which Path Should Founders Choose in 2025?

Compare O-1A, UK Innovator, and Remote-First strategies for startup founders. Costs, timelines, and ROI so you can scale your global team faster in 2025.

·3 min
From Feature Factory to Customer-Centric: Using Changelogs to Prove You Listen

From Feature Factory to Customer-Centric: Using Changelogs to Prove You Listen

Key Takeaways * Changelogs Build Trust: They’re more than feature lists—they’re proof you listen. * User Stories Matter: Highlighting real use cases makes updates more relatable. * Close the Feedback Loop: Notify users when their suggestions lead to changes. * Track Metrics: Measure feedback volume, feature adoption, and CSAT to validate your strategy. Introduction: The “Feature Factory” Trap Many SaaS companies face the same challenge: being perceived as a “feature factory.” This happen

·3 min
Best Countries for Tech Founders: Policy Changes & Real Costs

Best Countries for Tech Founders: Policy Changes & Real Costs

Key Takeaways * Estonia: Best for lean, remote-first startups. * Netherlands: Ideal for scaling with access to European markets and funding. * Portugal: Perfect for early-stage founders seeking affordability. * Singapore: A powerhouse for high-growth startups targeting Asia. Choosing the right country to base your tech startup is more critical than ever. With governments rolling out founder-friendly policies, reduced tax rates, and visa programs, some destinations are standing out as globa

·4 min
H-1B for Founders After $100K Fee: Is It Still Worth It?

H-1B for Founders After $100K Fee: Is It Still Worth It?

Key Takeaways * The new $100K H-1B fee is a significant barrier for early-stage startups, especially bootstrapped founders. * Alternative visas like the O-1, E-2, and L-1 provide viable pathways for U.S. market entry. * Programs like International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP) and remote-first growth strategies are excellent alternatives. * Founders must weigh the financial and strategic costs of the H-1B against these options. Introduction The H-1B visa has long been a critical pathway for

·4 min
Building Trust with Transparent Changelogs—Without Oversharing Competitively Sensitive Info

Building Trust with Transparent Changelogs—Without Oversharing Competitively Sensitive Info

Key Takeaways 1. Transparent changelogs build trust but don’t overshare. Focus on user-facing updates and redact sensitive details. 2. Sensitive topics require care. For security and roadmap updates, share enough to reassure users without exposing risks. 3. Mistakes are opportunities. Address breakages and setbacks with honesty and a focus on solutions. 4. Stay compliant. Always align changelog language with legal and regulatory standards. 5. Not all updates are public. Use internal releas

·4 min