Online Event
How Startups Can Successfully Grow in the US
Step-by-step strategies to launch and grow in the U.S.
Date
Sep 09, 2025
Time
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
Address
Online Event
Expanding into the U.S. is a bold step for growing startups—but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this session, experts unpack the essentials of company setup, compliance, and hiring, plus practical GTM strategies for landing your first U.S. customers. You'll learn how to localize pricing, navigate investor expectations, and design a 90-day growth roadmap that balances speed with sustainability. Whether you're B2B or consumer, walk away with clear steps to grow your venture in the world's most competitive market.
What You'll Learn:
- U.S. expansion strategies from seasoned founders & experts.
- How to launch lean in one market and scale nationwide.
- Tactics that resonate with diverse U.S. buyers & investors.
Featured Speaker:
- Brian Park - CTO at LIT - Brian is a startup evangelist, advisor, and angel investor. He is currently the CTO of LIT, an AI-powered procurement intelligence platform that transforms how DefenseTech wins government opportunities. He is also a Venture Partner and mentor at SparkLabs, which has invested in over 350 startups with a $6.3 billion in total post money valuation.
He is also the former COO of Startup Grind, which is one of the largest hi-tech startup communities in the world with over 3,000,000 startup entrepreneurs in 600 cities. He was the managing director of AOL Fishbowl Labs which incubated DC startups that has raised over $1B in venture funding (ThreatQuotient, Urgently (NASDAQ:ULY), XMode, MHelpDesk, AirSide). He has over 25 years professional experience in product development from AOL, Merrill Lynch, and Verizon and has started three previous startups.
He has been featured in Forbes as “17 Top Business Gurus to Follow” and other publications such as Washington Post, Huffington Post, Politico, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Washington Business Journal, and DCInno “50 on Fire”. He has a BS in Information Systems/Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
- Guc Ozenci - Managing Director at Founder Institute Washington DC & Managing Partner at Connect-OP - SGuc 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.
Speakers
Platinum Partners
Local Partners
Google
Linkedin
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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.
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