Program Tracks
Three focused paths for U.S. market validation, product readiness, and investor preparation.
Program Overview
Each track addresses a specific barrier international founders face when entering the U.S. market. Build from Seattle, test assumptions with relevant operators and customers, and prepare for investor conversations when the company is ready.
| Program | Duration | Time Commitment | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launchpad | 12 weeks | 15–20 hrs/week | Validated U.S. go-to-market plan with documented customer or user evidence |
| ProductLab | 4 weeks | 20–25 hrs/week | Technical audit, proof of concept, and due-diligence package |
| Pitch & Win | 4 weeks | 10–15 hrs/week | Investor-ready deck, Demo Day presentation, and targeted investor outreach plan |
Launchpad
The GTM Sprint
What You'll Achieve
Validate U.S. market demand through structured go-to-market execution. This 12 weeks program (15–20 hrs/week commitment) follows different paths based on your business model:
- B2C Founders: Test audience, messaging, and channel assumptions with real U.S. users.
- B2B Founders: Build a qualified enterprise pipeline and document customer discovery with American buyers.
Top performers across both paths earn a showcase opportunity at Plug and Play Tech Center's AI Summit.
U.S. Market Deep-Dive & ICP Definition
- Comprehensive U.S. market analysis with competitive positioning
- Define Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) tailored to American buyers
- B2C: Identify content channels and viral opportunities
- B2B: Map target accounts and decision-maker personas
Channel Strategy & Outreach Setup
- B2C: Platform strategies for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
- B2B: LinkedIn outreach sequences and email campaigns
- Set up tracking, attribution, and CRM infrastructure
- Develop messaging that resonates with American audiences
Content Production & Warm Introductions
- B2C: Video production and influencer partnership execution
- B2B: Partner-facilitated introductions to target accounts
- Weekly pipeline reviews with SLV mentors
- Iterate messaging based on early response data
Execution Sprint & Results Documentation
- B2C: Full campaign launch with real-time optimization
- B2B: Close pilot conversations and secure LOIs
- Document learnings and build repeatable playbook
- Prepare investor-ready traction narrative
Deliverable
Validated U.S. go-to-market plan with documented customer or user evidence
Seattle Advantage
Access to Microsoft/Amazon ecosystem partners for B2B pilots; PNW tech community for early adopters
Mentors
Growth marketers, Enterprise sales leaders, Seattle-based BD executives from Fortune 500 tech
ProductLab
Technical Readiness
What You'll Achieve
Strengthen technical credibility for American enterprise buyers and investors. This 4 weeks program (20–25 hrs/week commitment) brings an enterprise lens to product assumptions, architecture, documentation, scalability, security, and compliance readiness.
Customer Discovery & Product Discovery
- Define target customer segments and core pain points
- Validate problem statements with stakeholder interviews
- Refine product positioning for American enterprise buyers
- Identify critical product assumptions to test
Business Model Assessment & Technical Architecture Assessment
- Review pricing, margins, and U.S. GTM assumptions
- Assess enterprise readiness and procurement fit
- Technical architecture review with Seattle enterprise engineers
- Identify scalability, security, and compliance gaps
Validation & Documentation
- Validate solution fit with pilot users or design partners
- Prepare technical documentation for investor due diligence
- Document architecture decisions and scalability roadmap
- Finalize validation summary and next-step plan
Deliverable
Technical audit, proof of concept, and due-diligence package
Seattle Advantage
Access to UW CoMotion Labs; mentorship from AWS/Microsoft/Amazon engineering leadership
Mentors
Senior engineers from AWS, Microsoft, Stripe, Airbnb; Enterprise architects with Fortune 500 experience
Pitch & Win
Investor Preparation
What You'll Achieve
Prepare for focused conversations with American investors. This 4 weeks program (10–15 hrs/week commitment) sharpens your narrative, financial model, and Q&A. It culminates in a Demo Day presentation and a targeted investor follow-up plan.
Pitch Deck Refinement & Storytelling Workshop
- Deconstruct and rebuild your pitch narrative for American investors
- Financial modeling and unit economics optimization
- Competitive positioning and market sizing frameworks
- Storytelling techniques that resonate with Sand Hill Road
Mock Pitch Sessions with VCs
- Weekly mock pitches with active VC partners
- Q&A drilling and objection handling
- Body language and presentation coaching
- Term sheet negotiation fundamentals
Demo Day + Private VC Room Sessions
- Public Demo Day presentation (6 min pitch + 6 min Q&A)
- Private 1:1 sessions with interested investors
- Warm introductions to fund partners
- Follow-up strategy and investor CRM setup
Startup World Cup Regional Competition Prep
- Competition-specific pitch optimization
- Stage presence and high-pressure performance training
- Regional finals preparation (chance for $1M grand prize)
- Post-competition investor follow-up playbook
Deliverable
Investor-ready deck, Demo Day presentation, and targeted investor outreach plan
Relevant Ecosystem
Bay Area venture firms, founder communities, and public pitch competitions selected for relevance
Mentors
Active VC partners, Serial entrepreneurs with successful exits, Investment bankers
Relevant Ecosystem
We help founders identify relevant organizations across Seattle and the Bay Area. Introductions are based on fit and are never guaranteed.
UW CoMotion Labs
Seattle's premier startup incubator at Startup Hall. Technical resources, lab space, and connections to University of Washington research talent.
Seattle Enterprise Network
Connections across Seattle's enterprise technology ecosystem for customer discovery, pilot conversations, and B2B validation.
Plug and Play Tech Center
World's largest startup accelerator platform. Silicon Valley Summits, corporate innovation programs, and public founder events.
Think Tank VC
Menlo Park venture community supporting founder and investor conversations.
Graphene Ventures
Palo Alto-based VC with portfolio including Lyft and Snapchat. Early-stage focus on enterprise software and consumer technology.
Startup World Cup
Global pitch competition across 60+ countries with $1M investment prize. Regional winners compete at the Grand Finale in San Francisco.
Founder Community
Program participants can stay connected to relevant peers, operators, and mentors for practical questions about U.S. expansion. Available access and resources are explained before enrollment.
Ready to Begin?
Choose your track and start your journey to Silicon Valley success. Rolling admissions available for all programs.
Book a Discovery Call