This is something that worries me too, from my research only Y Combinator can help if the need arises.

Just marry an American. It's really that simple. :)

In all seriousness, if you _do_ marry an American, it is very likely that the US government/immigration service (now dba Dept. of Homeland Security) will forgive any extended but unauthorized stay in the US, AND give you a EAC (employment authorization card), followed immediately by a (SSN and) Green Card.

If you don't want to marry an American, you need to typically have some serious a) connections, b) money, c) credentials, and/or d) accomplishments under your belt.

In lieu of those, you need an attractive American employer who has one or more of the above-noted qualities. ;)

Please correct me if I am mistaken in any of these assertions...

You are mistaken on "immediate". These days everything takes years. I wouldn't expect "forgiveness" either.

Marry an American and give up 50% of your equity in the company?

LOL. Is it that difficult to marry an American nowadays, that you need to give up 1/2 your equity?

This is just one of any millions of potential solutions...

I was joking, but it's true that you are essentially giving up half your assets by getting married.

Doesn't it depend on the contract, of which there are many flavors?

Most of the time, in the US, a divorce results in a 50/50 split of all assets. I thought that was an amusing thing to point out, others seem to disagree :-)