Seed 2 America: A Soft Landing Program that Delivers Results
Seed 2 America is a comprehensive 10 week go-to-market program for international AI and B2B startups to close contracts and generate traction with Silicon Valley customers.
Program Dates
Program Format
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Hybrid program with 8 weeks of virtual coaching and a 2-week trip in Silicon Valley
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Over 30 total expert instructors, coaches, and mentors - with 1-1 matching based on needs
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Private networking events with Silicon Valley investors and executives
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Introductions to business leaders across the Founder Institute's global network
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Personalized coaching and action plans from GTM experts
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Comprehensive online platform with step-by-step GTM growth sprints and helpful AI tools
Program Candidates
Due to limited space, this program will only accept startups with:
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Established B2B and AI businesses
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Demonstrable traction and growth in their existing markets
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Strong leadership and product teams
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Plans for aggressive U.S. expansion in 2025 or 2026
Contracts, Not Contacts
Most immersion and soft-landing programs are nothing more than "startup tourism". Seed 2 America is a comprehensive hybrid program designed to deliver tangible results.
- Establish real traction with U.S. customers (signed POCs and Pilots)
- Build a network of qualified partners and potential customers in the U.S. market
- Develop a scalable GTM engine to propel future growth
Meet your Instructors
Seed 2 America will feature over 30 total expert instructors, coaches, and mentors from the Founder Institute network.
Mercedes Bankston
Mercedes Bankston is the Director of the FI Silicon Valley program and an Advisor to Loyal VC. She specializes in jump-starting new business units, re-launching failed units, and rolling out new products, primarily in innovative technical companies. She is also an expert in global investments in high-potential tech startups.
Custom Mentor Matching
Based on specific needs, participants will be custom-matched to expert Mentors from the Founder Institute's 35,000+ global mentor network. Additional workshop mentors will also be added based on the composition of the program cohort.
Jonathan Greechan
Jonathan is the Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, he has grown and scaled the organization to chapters in over 200 cities and 95 countries, which have produced over 7000 portfolio companies with nearly $2 billion in venture funding.
Ryan Micheletti
Ryan is the Head of Global Operations for the Founder Institute, and a Partner at The Veteran Fund. His personal portfolio includes 600+ Startups that raised $200M+ in funding with an enterprise value of over $2B. He's currently leading the efforts to build the FI Venture Network of investors across 6 continents.
Trevor Longino
Trevor is the founder of Crowdtamers, an agency that launches new startups and products. He is involved with over 50 startup takeoffs, and he launched 12 businesses that he grew from $0 to $2MM+ in ARR. With 20+ years of experience, Trevor has taught more than 1,000 startups winning marketing principles and tactics.
Adeo Ressi
Adeo Ressi is CEO of Decile Group, which runs the leading venture capital accelerator VC Lab and operates the Decile Hub platform. Adeo is also Executive Chairman at the Founder Institute. Adeo has launched 14 VC funds and founded 11 startups, having nearly $2 billion in exits before the age of 30.
Silicon Valley Trip Schedule
In addition to 8 weeks of personalized coaching, Seed 2 America features a 2-week immersive trip to Silicon Valley.
WEEK 1: Monday Oct 20
Welcoming Dinner with Seed 2 America participants, instructors, and mentors.
Tuesday Oct 21
Sales Pitch Breakdown Workshop and Sales Meetings with prospective clients/ partners.
Wednesday Oct 22
Free day for 1-1 Office Hours and Sales Meetings with prospective clients/ partners.
Thursday Oct 23
Private Networking Event with the Silicon Valley Founder Institute Chapter network.
Friday Oct 24
Outdoor Group Activity in San Francisco
WEEK 2: Monday Oct 27
Pitch Workshop and Sales Meetings with prospective clients/ partners.
Tuesday Oct 28
Private Networking Event with the Silicon Valley Founder Institute Chapter network.
Wednesday Oct 29
Free day for 1-1 Office Hours and Sales Meetings with prospective clients/ partners.
Thursday Oct 30
Private Farewell Networking Event & Dinner
Friday Oct 31
Progress Review Meeting with EIR to plan company strategy for remainder of program
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The real question is: can the Founder Institute be game-changing for your business? The answer is yes. Without FI, Udemy may have never raised any money.
Gagan BiyaniUdemy (IPO, 2021) -
I joined FI to understand how I should structure my business, and learn things like building a go to market, pitching and fundraising. The biggest value was being able to access a global network of mentors that can give me critical feedback.
Charlie ChandraDotX -
The biggest challenge I had during fundraising was explaining our value proposition. It was complicated. The advice I got around everything from FI was spot on!
Ernest ChanPredictNow ($750K+ funding)
Full Program Schedule
Seed 2 America is the only U.S. GTM program that goes into the level of depth needed to truly get results.
Program Dates
U.S. GTM Audit
Seed 2 America kicks off with a deep audit on your existing GTM strategy and progress with experienced GTM experts.
- Validate your product-market-fit in domestic markets
- Review competitive landscape and viability of existing GTM strategies to the U.S. market
- Learn U.S. standards, regulations and region-specific dynamics
GTM Strategy & Localization
In Week 2, you'll work with mentors to develop a first GTM testing strategy that delivers fast feedback loops.
- Develop a tailored GTM strategy with help from U.S. mentors.
- Plan the adapation of branding, messaging, and product for the U.S. market.
- Identify any key team and product gaps that may impede U.S. growth.
GTM Discovery & Experimentation
In Week 3, you'll start to quickly test and iterate on your GTM strategy, sharing progress with Mentors for feedback.
- Facilitated introductions/ meetings with U.S. companies from the FI network.
- Accelerate the outbound sales process to reach at least 5 customer opportunities in the funnel.
- Outline key blockers and accelerators to deals and iterate to improve the process.
Sales Enablement
In Week 4, you'll continue iterating on the GTM strategy and do a deeper dive on your sales motions, materials, and infrastructure.
- Get intensive feedback on your sales process, strategy, and materials.
- Develop a common framework for POCs and/or pilots with U.S. partners.
- Improve all sales collateral in readiness to sign MOUs and LOIs.
U.S. Business Infrastructure
In Week 5, you'll continue iterating on your GTM strategy and explore all the components of scaling up U.S. operations.
- Explore any legal issues with expert legal U.S. mentors, and financial issues with expert banking mentors.
- Assess if incorporating a fully operational U.S. entity is required
- Conduct follow-up meetings with potential customers and channel partners to close opportunities.
GTM Scale & Pitching
The week leading up to Silicon Valley is focused on building a v2 GTM strategy and trip preparation.
- Analyze learnings from experiments to establish an updated v2 GTM Strategy that scales
- Plan in-person meetings with potential customers and channel partners during your Silicon Valley trip.
- Fine-tune your sales pitch with the help of experts
In-Person Workshops & Networking
The first week in Silicon Valley focuses on sales meetings, workshops, and pitching.
- Build in-person relationships with potential customers and strategic partners.
- Attend workshops with proven marketing and U.S. GTM leaders
- Join exclusive networking events and dinners with corporate executives and successful entrepreneurs.
In-Person Workshops & Sales Meetings
The second week in Silicon Valley focuses on sales meetings, networking, and planning for the future.
- Build in-person relationships with potential customers and strategic partners.
- Join exclusive networking events and dinners with corporate executives and successful entrepreneurs.
- Close sales opportunities and define next steps with customers.
Sales Traction
After the trip to Silicon Valley, you'll work with mentors to analyze your learnings and finalize a v3 GTM plan.
- Perform an extensive data and feedback review, with input from mentors
- Improve your framework for POCs and/or pilots with U.S. partners.
- Sprint to finalize signed MOUs / LOIs with customers
Strategic Planning
Seed 2 America concludes with the creation of a comprehensive 2-year U.S. growth plan.
- Develop your comprehensive, long term growth plan
- Get feedback on your plan from mentors and EIRs
- Sprint to finalize signed MOUs with partners
Post-Program Benefits
Participants of Seed 2 America join the global Founder Institute Network and get access to perks for years to come.
- Access to over $2M in discounts and service provider deals
- Invites to private FI networking events with investors
- Early access and priority admissions to any future Founder Institute programs and bootcamps.
- Potential introductions to investors from the FI Venture Network
Delivered via World Class Tools
All virtual components and growth sprints for Seed 2 America are hosted on FounderGen - the Founder Institute’s powerful suite of learning management tools.
- Step-by-step business growth sprints
- Videos, templates, and resources to help with every step of the business-building process
- State of the art AI tools to help students augment their capabilities and speed up progress
- Office Hours scheduling and networking tools
Powered by the Founder Institute
Based in Silicon Valley, the Founder Institute is the world's largest startup accelerator. Since 2009, FI's accelerators have helped launch fast-growing, funded technology companies across nearly every geography, industry, and sector.
7,500+
Portfolio Companies
$1.85BN+
Portfolio Company Funding
200+
Chapter Cities
100+
Chapter Countries
6
Continents
35,000+
Global Mentors & Advisors
Frequently Asked Questions
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Up to 4 people per company are allowed the join the virtual components of the program, and 2 people are allowed to join the in-person components in Silicon Valley.
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To apply for a spot, please complete the form linked on this page and then we will reach out to you if we believe you may be a good fit. There are limited spots in the program and we want to ensure we work with companies that we believe have the potential to expand and scale in the United States.
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The virtual components of this bootcamp all take place over Zoom and other common video conferencing tools. The in-person components of the program will take place at various venues in Palo Alto and Redwood City, California.
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There are several government grant programs that may help you cover the cost of this program. If not, you should be able to label this as a business expense.
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There are no refunds available for this program, however your participation fee can be applied to another company (if that company is accepted).
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Due to the small size of the cohort, we are not offering any scholarships at this time
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No, there is no equity component to this program
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Please email any questions to partners(at)founderinstitute.com
The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,500 entrepreneurs raise over $1.85BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
