The biggest problem facing the tech industry right now, says Kevin Ryan, CEO of Gilt Groupe, is a shortage of trained workers.

Kevin Ryan: There’s a shortage of people who have a technology background. And it’s really becoming a business problem and it’s one of the number one things that CEO’s complain about to members of Congress when I see them is that it’s difficult to get Visas, so you might have someone from Pakistan, who has a masters in Computer Science, wants to come to the United States to get a job.  I would argue that that’s incredibly beneficial for our economy, and if he doesn’t come here and millions like that, then what companies will do is end up employing people in other countries, which is okay from my selfish interests, but not as good for the country overall.

And so, as you know, there’s an enormous outsource community in India with hundreds of thousands of people, which is fantastic for India and I’m supportive of that, but putting on my U.S. hat, I’d love to have many of those people in the United States working for companies, creating jobs and then at some point spinning off and starting new companies. So anything we can do that has more training and more Visas for qualified people I think is great for this country.

Directed / Produced by Jonathan Fowler & Elizabeth Rodd