The SelectUSA Investment Summit is a powerful opportunity for international companies looking to expand into the U.S. market. But as John Lynn, co-founder of Quay Acceleration, emphasized in our recent Belly2Belly podcast, success isn’t just about showing up—it’s about being prepared.
John and I are excited to be speaking at SelectUSA 2025 on the panel “From Launch to Maturity: How to Grow and Scale Tech Startups in the U.S. Market” (Tuesday, May 13, 2 PM). In our conversation, he shared key strategies for international businesses entering the U.S.:
1. U.S. Expansion is More Than Scaling—It’s a Rebuild
John made it clear: expanding into the U.S. isn’t just an add-on—it’s a full reset. Companies must rethink their:
- Messaging – How do you articulate value to U.S. customers?
- Sales Strategy – How do you reach decision-makers?
- Operations – What adjustments are needed for compliance, culture, and market fit?
2. Preparation is Everything
SelectUSA offers unparalleled access to key decision-makers, but success depends on groundwork. John advises:
- Research attendees – Know who will be there and prioritize key contacts.
- Schedule meetings in advance – Don’t wait until you arrive to start networking.
- Understand past success stories – Learn what’s worked for others to set realistic goals.
3. Lead With Your Wins
Standing out in the competitive U.S. market requires confidence and clarity. John’s advice? “Put your wins first.” When introducing your company, don’t start with background details—lead with major achievements. Example:
👉 Instead of “Hi, I’m John, and we help startups grow,” say “Hi, I’m John. In the last 12 months, we built 14 accelerator programs, worked with 100+ startups, and helped raise over $900M.”
4. The Value of SelectUSA
SelectUSA isn’t just another event—it’s a unique opportunity to connect with high-level decision-makers. John highlighted two major benefits:
- Face-to-face access – Meet potential partners, investors, and customers in a focused environment.
- Unmatched credibility – The event has buy-in from senior executives and government officials, making it a rare networking advantage.
About Quay Acceleration
Quay Acceleration is dedicated to helping high-growth startups successfully enter and scale in the U.S. market. Partnering with governments, corporations, universities, and investor groups, Quay provides the resources, mentorship, and network that international companies need to establish a strong presence in the U.S. Whether it’s securing funding, refining go-to-market strategies, or building critical partnerships, Quay Acceleration helps startups navigate the complexities of expansion with confidence.
Final Takeaway
If you’re considering SelectUSA or still on the fence, now is the time to commit. As John put it: “I can’t think of a good reason not to go.”
Let’s make SelectUSA 2025 a launchpad for your U.S. expansion success!
📌 Join us at our panel on May 13 at 2 PM – we’d love to see you there!
Additional Resources
For more on this topic, we suggest reading 10 Keys to Maximizing Your SelectUSA Investment Summit Experience.
About
MEET helps international B2B & B2G companies gain traction and scale in the U.S. through trade shows, events, and strategic connections. Contact Bill Kenney for a no-obligation conversation: bill@meetroi.com or +1 (860) 573-4821.
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