Aaron Yip is the co-founder and CEO of Issa, a Thailand-based startup that solves immigration to unlock global talent for local businesses. Their platform opens up the talent pool by automating immigration with software — making it fast, free, and accessible for everyone.

Issa specializes in connecting restaurant and hospitality staff to employers. They’ve only launched in 2022, but they claim to have grown 5x MoM since their launch. Issa is backed by Iterative VC and is reported to have over $75M in verbal interest today.

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I'm helping create a world where everyone can move, work, and build their dreams anywhere. At Issa, we automate the immigration process with software (up to 20X faster and free) and then connect the dots on the other side—starting with employment.

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

There are so many underserved contexts where software can be an absolute game changer. Navigating immigration in Thailand, for example, takes up to 9 months and $3000, including 50+ hours of manual labor and paperwork.

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Issa started at a local wet market, meeting Zin who recently graduated with her master’s in mathematics. She arrived in Thailand, struggled with immigration, and worked [the] night shift until 6 am as a raw fish packer.

Two weeks later, we got her a full-time offer at an award-winning restaurant and tripled her salary. Step one for a new life. Now we’re working with 1000s of applicants like Zin.

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

I‘m obsessed with immigration, of course, but beyond that: it’s supply chain and logistics, especially for last mile and micro-merchants. Recent geopolitical shifts shattered the global supply chain.

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Let curiosity be your guide. I’m trained in Thai massage and flying trapeze. I worked on self-driving cars, construction robotics, generative AI, theater performances, video games, refugee camps, and anti-trafficking.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Halt and Catch Fire, Arcane, and Moonlight.

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

At Trader Joe’s in California, there’s an ice cream called Caramel Swirl that tastes like sugary sunshine.

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We’ve edited this interview for clarity.