Why London?
London remains one of the world’s leading startup ecosystems and serves as a natural bridge between Europe and the United States. For founders preparing to expand internationally, it offers the ideal environment to pressure-test positioning, sharpen messaging, and build confidence before entering the highly competitive US landscape.
The London kick-off was designed to challenge founders to think beyond traditional “pitching” and focus instead on storytelling, positioning, and market readiness in an American context.
Building US Readiness
Throughout two days, founders participated in a series of expert sessions, workshops, AMAs, and live pitch exercises focused on the core building blocks of US expansion.
Topics included:
- American-style storytelling and communication
- Go-to-market strategy for the US market
- Product scaling and market positioning
- Fundraising fundamentals and investor expectations
- Legal and operational considerations for US expansion
A recurring theme throughout the sessions was the “cultural translation” required when entering the US ecosystem: moving from technical precision and product-first communication toward high-conviction storytelling that resonates with investors, customers, talent, and partners.
The sessions also created space for candid conversations between founders, mentors, and operators with firsthand experience scaling companies internationally.
A Community Effort
The London kick-off would not have been possible without the support of the mentors, speakers, and partners who contributed their time, expertise, and honest feedback throughout the two days.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our trusted partners – Rabobank, Wilson Sonsini – for opening their doors and hosting the cohorts during the program.
As the founders continue their journey toward San Francisco and Los Angeles or Austin later this year, the London kick-off marked an important first step in building the mindset, network, and readiness needed to successfully navigate the US market.
Follow along as we continue supporting Dutch tech companies on their journey across the Atlantic.
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