Posted
April 30, 2025
Author
ScaleNL Team
Last week in London, the energy was electric as 20 ambitious startups and scaleups officially started on their journey to the US through ScaleNL’s Academic Startup Program 2025 and West Coast 2025 Accelerator.

London, with its global business outlook and position as a transatlantic bridge, offers a uniquely strategic launchpad for European startups eyeing the US market. Home to nearly 2,000 VC firms and a thriving innovation ecosystem, the city combines deep investor networks, an international mindset, and close ties to both Europe and North America. For the founders in our ScaleNL programs, it delivered the perfect blend of inspiration, expertise, and connectivity to kick off their expansion journey with momentum.

Over the course of two action-packed days, participants gained practical insights from US-based mentors, refined their go-to-market strategies, and explored what it truly takes to succeed in the American landscape. Day one concluded with a focused Founder Dinner on US expansion, hosted by Daniel Glazer from our long-standing partner Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati—an evening of open conversations about scaling challenges, legal considerations, and founder experiences across the Atlantic.

Pitching took the spotlight on day two. Each founder stepped up to share their story, receiving direct feedback from US-focused VCs—fine-tuning their messages and strengthening their positioning for the next stage of growth.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our trusted partners – Rabobank, Wilson Sonsini, and our dedicated network of advisors and mentors – for fueling this journey with knowledge, resources, and unwavering support.

 

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In the US market, bold moves win. Playing it safe often means heading home early.
Female founder pitching in front of a small jury in an office room
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