Online Event
How Growing Startups can Enter the U.S. Market
From Traction to Expansion: Your U.S. Market Entry Plan
Date
Sep 02, 2025
Time
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
Address
Online Event
Ready to scale stateside? In this practical session, you'll learn how growing startups validate demand, localize pricing and messaging, and win first U.S. customers—without burning runway. We'll cover lean methodologies you can execute while listening and learning from our guest speaker. Debra is an experienced, product-focused tech CEO with a proven history of building AI/SaaS/technology companies and a passion for helping startups achieve product-market fit. She has founded a startup, raised capital, grown in the US and exited successfully. Join us to listen to her story.
What You'll Learn:
- U.S. market entry strategies from leading exited founders, GTM, and product experts.
- How to launch in a beachhead (state/segment) and scale nationwide (then global).
- Tactics that resonate with diverse U.S. buyers across regions and cultures.
Featured Speakers:
- Debra Cancro - SVP of Data Products at Bigtincan - Debra Cancro is an accomplished entrepreneur and product executive with deep expertise in artificial intelligence, data products, and Software as a Service (SaaS). She founded VoiceVibes, an AI-driven coaching platform designed to help people become more effective communicators, and successfully led the company through its acquisition by Bigtincan, a global leader in sales enablement automation. Following the acquisition, she served as Senior Vice President of Data Products, where she oversaw the strategy, development, and execution of all AI and data-driven product roadmaps. Before VoiceVibes, Cancro founded and served as CEO of Autonomy Engine LLC, a company developing autonomous control software for satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles. With over 15 years of product management experience across startups and Fortune 500 companies, she has led product marketing for Broadcom Corporation’s (BRCM) Bluetooth and HDMI product lines and spearheaded marketing initiatives at two high-tech startups—Outsource Laboratories and Pivotal Technologies, the latter acquired for $242.5 million. Cancro began her career as a Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Labs and is the holder of a patent in voice analysis. She earned her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University.
- Guc Ozenci - Managing Director at Founder Institute Washington DC & Managing Partner at Connect-OP -
Guc Ozenci is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and investor with a proven track record of seamlessly integrating business strategy with
technological innovation. Known for his exceptional interpersonal skills and strategic vision, he has played a pivotal role in scaling startups and fostering growth in the tech ecosystem.
In 2013, Guc founded a successful SaaS startup and secured venture capital funding, scaled, and was successfully acquired in 2020.
Before his entrepreneurial journey, Guc spent 15 years at global organizations such as Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, and Vodafone.
Currently, Guc is dedicated to nurturing early-stage startups as the Managing Director of Founder Institute Washington DC (fi.co), where he leads efforts to accelerate high-potential technology ventures. He is also the Managing Partner at ConnectOp Consulting (connectop.co), helping startups expand in the East Coast US by providing access to critical resources, strategic partnerships, and investor networks.
With equity stakes in over 50 startups, Guc is deeply committed to fostering connections, driving business growth, and strengthening the startup
ecosystem.
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, learn about Finding a Co-Founder, or visit our Insights Blog for more startup tips.
About Penn West Accelerator:
About Penn West Accelerator:
The Penn West Accelerator, powered by the Founder Institute and the Penn West Equity & Innovation District, is a premier equity-free program designed for post-MVP and seed-stage founders who are ready to expand in the U.S. East Coast.
Running from October 27, 2025 to February 23, 2026 in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Golden Triangle, this program offers intensive in-person workshops, hands-on mentorship, workspace at WeWork, and a high-profile investor demo day. With no cost and no equity required, founders gain unparalleled access to resources, investors, and mentors to accelerate their growth.
Running from October 27, 2025 to February 23, 2026 in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Golden Triangle, this program offers intensive in-person workshops, hands-on mentorship, workspace at WeWork, and a high-profile investor demo day. With no cost and no equity required, founders gain unparalleled access to resources, investors, and mentors to accelerate their growth.
About Founder Institute:
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 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN 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.
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 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN 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.
Platinum Partners
Local Partners
Google
Linkedin
Related Events
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 8,100 entrepreneurs raise over 1.9BN 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.
Support
Copyright © 2025, Founder Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved