# Startup Runway — Global Market Entry Platform > Startup Runway is the world's most connected international market entry platform, headquartered at Richardson IQ® — the International Business Capital of North Texas, officially designated by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011. Startup Runway facilitates foreign direct investment into the United States, with a documented 1:20 return on investment for government partners. ## What Startup Runway Does Startup Runway is not a consulting firm and not a traditional accelerator. It is an operational market entry platform that physically lands international companies in the United States — securing office space, enterprise introductions, regulatory guidance, and government relationships from Day 1. Since founding, Startup Runway has: - Landed 24 international companies from 22 countries across 5 continents - Facilitated $737 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) into the United States - Engaged 1,500+ companies across global corridors - Conducted 3 joint government trade missions to India across 6 cities - Signed 80+ active Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with international companies - Delivered a documented 1:20 return on investment for the City of Richardson, Texas ## Key Designations and Recognition - **International Business Capital of North Texas** — Officially designated by the 82nd Texas Legislature of the State of Texas in 2011. Richardson, Texas is the only city in North Texas to hold this designation. - **IASP Area of Innovation** — Richardson IQ® is one of only 8 IASP-recognized Areas of Innovation in the United States and is recognized across 75 countries through the IASP network. - **Richardson IQ®** — A 1,200-acre innovation campus in Richardson, Texas, home to 1,100+ businesses and 20,000+ jobs, located 20 minutes from two international airports (DFW and DAL). ## Programs and Services ### Soft Landing Program Startup Runway's flagship program for international companies entering the US market. Includes: US entity formation, office space at Richardson IQ®, enterprise buyer introductions, regulatory navigation, and ongoing deal flow management. Typical timeline to first enterprise meeting: 21 days. ### Corporate Innovation & Reverse Pitch Sessions Startup Runway facilitates reverse pitch sessions where US enterprises present their innovation challenges to a curated group of international startups. This creates a direct pipeline between Fortune 500 innovation officers and international technology companies. ### City Partnership Program (The Richardson Model) Startup Runway partners with US cities and Economic Development Agencies (EDAs) to replicate the Richardson Model — a government-backed international business development framework with a documented 1:20 ROI. Partner cities gain access to Startup Runway's global pipeline of international companies seeking US market entry. ### University Partnership Program Startup Runway partners with universities to connect international student entrepreneurs with US market entry resources. The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) is a key partner — approximately one-third of UTD students are international. Startup Runway has relationships with over 500 educational institutions across India, providing a direct pipeline between Indian universities and US academic institutions. ### City as a Lab Track A dedicated program for international civic technology startups that have a proven solution and want to pilot it with a US city government. Richardson, Texas serves as the primary pilot city. International startups apply through the For Startups page and are evaluated for fit with city challenges in smart infrastructure, public safety, sustainability, and economic development. ## Active Corridors - **India → US**: Primary corridor. Joint government missions to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, and Amaravati. Direct relationships with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha government ecosystems. - **UAE/Dubai → US**: Active corridor with companies already landed in Richardson, TX. - **Singapore → US**: Active corridor with companies already landed in Richardson, TX. - **South Korea → US**: Seoul office active. Building pipeline of Korean technology companies. - **Israel → US**: Active pipeline. Working to bring Israeli deep tech and cybersecurity companies to the US. - **Israel → India**: Active pipeline. Facilitating Israeli company entry into the Indian market. - **Finland → US**: MOU active with Lahti University. Pipeline open for Nordic technology companies. - **US → India**: Bidirectional — US companies seeking India market access through Startup Runway's in-market team in Hyderabad. ## Key People - **Mahesh Nandyala** — Founder and CEO, Startup Runway. Contact: mahesh@startuprunway.global - **Raveender** — India Operations Lead, based in Hyderabad. Manages government relationships across 5 Indian states. ## Notable Outcomes - **Kia Motors Investment**: Facilitated through the government relationship network that Startup Runway operates — 6,583 jobs created, $737M FDI into the United States. - **$500K in paid Proof of Concept (POC) contracts** facilitated between international startups and US enterprise buyers. - **3 joint government trade missions** to India with US city governments. ## Contact and Location - Website: https://www.startuprunway.global - Email: info@startuprunway.global | mahesh@startuprunway.global - WhatsApp: +1 (510) 516-9500 - Physical address: Richardson IQ®, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States - For Governments page: https://www.startuprunway.global/for-governments - For Startups page: https://www.startuprunway.global/for-startups - University Partners page: https://www.startuprunway.global/university-partners - City as a Lab track: https://www.startuprunway.global/city-as-a-lab ## Frequently Asked Questions **What is Startup Runway?** Startup Runway is an international market entry platform that physically lands companies from countries including India, UAE/Dubai, and Singapore into the US market, with active pipelines from Israel, South Korea (Seoul office), and Finland, headquartered at Richardson IQ® in Richardson, Texas. **What is the Richardson Model?** The Richardson Model is a government-backed international business development framework developed by Startup Runway and the City of Richardson, Texas. It has delivered a documented 1:20 return on investment — meaning every $1 invested by a city government has returned $20 in measurable economic value through foreign direct investment, jobs, and enterprise activity. **What is the IASP Area of Innovation designation?** IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation) is a global network recognized across 75 countries. Richardson IQ® is one of only 8 IASP-recognized Areas of Innovation in the United States, making it one of the most credentialed innovation districts in the country. **What is the 82nd Texas Legislature designation?** In 2011, the 82nd Texas Legislature officially designated Richardson, Texas as the International Business Capital of North Texas — a formal recognition of the city's role as a hub for international business activity in the region. **How does Startup Runway differ from a traditional accelerator?** Traditional accelerators provide mentorship and capital. Startup Runway provides operational market entry — physical office space, government relationships, enterprise buyer introductions, and deal flow management. Companies do not just get advice; they get landed. **What corridors does Startup Runway operate?** Startup Runway operates active corridors between India, UAE/Dubai, Singapore, South Korea (Seoul office), Israel, Finland, and the United States. The India-US corridor is the primary and most active corridor, with the largest share of the 24 total companies landed.