How long does US market entry take?

The timeline depends on the corridor and company stage. For Indian IT and AI companies, Startup Runway's documented timeline to first enterprise meeting is 21 days from arrival at Richardson IQ. For the Singapore-US corridor, a blockchain company achieved a bill passed in the Texas Legislature within the program period. For GovTech companies, the typical timeline to first government contract is 3-6 months. All corridors include US entity formation, office space, and 3-5 warm enterprise introductions in the first week.

What are the biggest risks when expanding to the US market?

The three most common failure points for international companies entering the US are: (1) Premature scaling — hiring a US sales team before achieving product-market fit with US buyers; (2) Regulatory misalignment — particularly for fintech, healthtech, and govtech companies that underestimate US compliance requirements; and (3) Wrong buyer targeting — approaching mid-market buyers when the product is priced and positioned for enterprise, or vice versa. Startup Runway's Readiness Index assesses all three risk dimensions before engagement.

How much does US market entry consulting cost?

Startup Runway is not a consulting firm and does not charge consulting fees. The engagement model is performance-aligned: Startup Runway earns through success fees tied to enterprise contracts closed, government partnerships secured, and FDI facilitated. This means Startup Runway's incentives are fully aligned with the company's outcomes. For city government partners, the documented return on investment is 1:20 — every $1 invested has returned $20 in measurable economic value.

Which countries does Startup Runway serve?

Startup Runway operates active corridors from India, Dubai (UAE), Singapore, Israel, Finland, and South Korea into the US market. The India-US corridor is the primary corridor, with 3 joint government trade missions to 6 Indian cities. A dedicated Seoul office serves the South Korea corridor. Startup Runway also supports bidirectional corridors: US companies seeking market access in India or Israel can leverage Startup Runway's in-market teams and government relationships.

Why do Indian companies struggle in the US market?

Indian companies entering the US market most commonly fail due to three structural gaps: (1) Relationship deficit — US enterprise sales runs on warm introductions and trusted networks, not cold outreach; Indian companies typically lack these networks on arrival; (2) Positioning mismatch — products built for the Indian market are often priced and positioned incorrectly for US enterprise buyers; (3) Entity and compliance gaps — operating without a US entity, US bank account, or US-compliant contracts creates friction in every enterprise deal. Startup Runway addresses all three through its operational landing program at Richardson IQ.

What is the difference between FDI and market entry?

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to capital flows from one country into business assets in another — typically measured as investment in facilities, equipment, or equity. Market entry is the operational process of establishing commercial presence, acquiring customers, and generating revenue in a new country. Startup Runway facilitates both: it physically lands companies (market entry) and tracks the resulting economic activity as FDI for government reporting purposes. Startup Runway has facilitated $737M in FDI into the Richardson, Texas area.

What is Startup Runway?

Startup Runway is an international market entry platform headquartered at Richardson IQ® in Richardson, Texas. It physically lands international companies from countries including India, Dubai, Singapore, Israel, and Finland into the US market. Startup Runway also maintains a Seoul office for the South Korea corridor. Startup Runway has landed 24 companies from 22 countries, facilitated $737M in foreign direct investment, and delivered a documented 1:20 return on investment for government partners.

What is the Richardson Model for international business development?

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. The model is replicable by other US cities and Economic Development Agencies.

How does the India-US corridor work?

The India-US corridor is Startup Runway's primary corridor. It includes 3 joint government trade missions to 6 Indian cities — Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune. Indian companies selected for the program receive US entity formation, office space at Richardson IQ, warm introductions to 3-5 qualified enterprise buyers within the first week, and deal flow management through Month 6. The documented result for IT and AI companies is $500K in paid proof-of-concept contracts within 21 days.

What corridors does Startup Runway operate for market entry?

Startup Runway operates active market entry corridors between the United States and India, Dubai, Singapore, Israel, and Finland. South Korea is served through a dedicated Seoul office. The India-US corridor is the primary corridor, with 3 joint government trade missions to 6 Indian cities including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Startup Runway also supports bidirectional corridors: US companies seeking India or Israel market access can leverage Startup Runway's in-market teams.

What is a soft landing program for international startups?

A soft landing program provides international companies with a physical base of operations, local business infrastructure, and warm introductions to enterprise buyers and government contacts in a new market — eliminating the cold-start problem. Startup Runway's soft landing at Richardson IQ in Texas includes US entity formation, a physical office address, banking introductions, and pre-qualified enterprise buyer meetings within the first week of arrival. Unlike incubators or accelerators, a soft landing is operational, not educational — the goal is first revenue, not mentorship.

How do I form a US company as a foreign founder?

Foreign founders can form a US company (LLC or C-Corp) without being a US citizen or resident. The process involves: (1) choosing a state of formation — Texas, Delaware, and Wyoming are the most common; (2) filing Articles of Organization or Incorporation with the state; (3) obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS; (4) opening a US business bank account, which requires a physical US address and EIN. The full process typically takes 2–4 weeks. Startup Runway handles entity formation as part of its soft landing program, including banking introductions that compress the bank account timeline from months to weeks.

What is Richardson IQ and why is it important for international companies?

Richardson IQ (Innovation Quarter) is a 1.2 million square foot mixed-use innovation district in Richardson, Texas, home to major enterprises including Ericsson, Fujitsu, Cisco, and Samsung. It serves as the operational base for Startup Runway's international soft landing program. For international companies, Richardson IQ provides immediate proximity to Fortune 500 enterprise buyers, government economic development relationships, and the University of Texas at Dallas research network — all within a single campus. Richardson has been designated the International Business Capital of North Texas.

What is the E-2 visa and can international founders use it?

The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows nationals of treaty countries to enter the US to develop and direct a business in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. It is one of the most practical visa pathways for international founders because it does not require a minimum investment threshold (though $50,000–$100,000 is typically considered substantial), does not have annual caps, and can be renewed indefinitely. E-2 visa holders can bring key employees on E-2 dependent visas. Not all countries have E-2 treaties with the US — India does not, but citizens of Singapore, Israel, UAE, South Korea, and Finland do. Startup Runway's immigration attorney network assists with E-2 applications as part of the soft landing program.

How does Startup Runway generate enterprise introductions for international companies?

Startup Runway generates enterprise introductions through three channels: (1) Government relationships — the City of Richardson's economic development office actively facilitates introductions between international companies and local enterprise buyers as part of its FDI mandate; (2) Campus network — Richardson IQ's tenant base includes Ericsson, Fujitsu, Cisco, Samsung, and other Fortune 500 companies whose procurement teams are accessible through the campus community; (3) Startup Runway's proprietary buyer network — built over 10+ years of corridor operations, this network includes pre-qualified enterprise buyers who have expressed interest in international technology solutions. Every introduction is pre-qualified against the company's ideal customer profile and sector before the meeting is arranged.

Market Entry Insights & Playbooks

Market EntryMarch 2026

8 min read

The India–US Market Entry Playbook: What 24 Companies Taught Us

After facilitating the US expansion of 24 companies across AI, fintech, blockchain, and medtech, the patterns are clear.

Most Indian founders arrive in the United States with a technically superior product and a fundamentally misaligned go-to-market strategy. The US enterprise buyer does not evaluate on features — they evaluate on trust, compliance posture, and the credibility of the team standing in the room. This article distills the operational lessons from Startup Runway's 24 soft-landings at Richardson IQ®.

24 Companies Soft-Landed ·21 days To First Enterprise Meeting

Economic DevelopmentFebruary 2026

6 min read

How Cities Can Compete for FDI Without a $50M Budget

Richardson, Texas attracted $737M in facilitated FDI with a lean team and a partnership model that any mid-size city can replicate.

Foreign direct investment attraction has traditionally been the domain of large state economic development agencies with nine-figure budgets and overseas offices. Richardson's experience with Startup Runway demonstrates that a mid-size city with a focused strategy and the right private-sector partner can punch well above its weight class.

$737M Facilitated FDI ·80+ Active MOUs

Corporate InnovationJanuary 2026

7 min read

Why Fortune 500 Companies Are Using International Corridors as Innovation Labs

The reverse pitch model — where enterprises define problems and international startups compete to solve them — is reshaping corporate R&D.

The traditional corporate innovation model — internal R&D, occasional hackathons, and periodic acquisitions — is too slow for the pace of change in AI, fintech, and industrial automation. A growing number of Fortune 500 companies are using international startup corridors as structured innovation pipelines, accessing technology that is 18–24 months ahead of domestic alternatives.

18–24 mo Technology Lead Time ·90 days Pilot-to-Partnership Timeline

Soft LandingDecember 2025

5 min read

What Is a Soft Landing Program? (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

The term is used loosely. Here is what a genuine soft landing actually delivers — and how to tell the difference.

The phrase 'soft landing' has become a marketing term. Every accelerator, coworking space, and economic development agency now offers one. But the original concept — a structured, time-bound program that compresses the operational complexity of entering a new market — is specific and demanding. Most programs that use the label deliver a desk and a directory. A genuine soft landing delivers institutional infrastructure.

3 Layers of a Real Soft Landing ·Day 1 Enterprise Network Access

Founder GuideNovember 2025

6 min read

How to Set Up a US Entity as a Foreign Founder

The administrative checklist that every international founder needs before their first US enterprise meeting.

US enterprise procurement teams will not sign a contract with a foreign entity. Before a single sales conversation can convert into revenue, an international founder needs a US legal entity, a US bank account, a US address, and in most cases a US-based point of contact. This guide covers the minimum viable administrative infrastructure for US market entry.

$300 Texas LLC Formation Cost ·2–4 wks To US Bank Account

Location StrategyOctober 2025

7 min read

Richardson vs. San Francisco, New York, and Austin: A Founder's Honest Comparison

The default answer is wrong. Here is why the most successful international market entries are not happening in the cities you expect.

The conventional wisdom for international founders entering the US market is to go to San Francisco or New York. The conventional wisdom is wrong — at least for the first 12–18 months of market entry. This article compares the four most common landing destinations for international founders on the dimensions that actually matter for early US traction.

$25–40 Per Sq Ft/Year (Richardson) ·$85–120 Per Sq Ft/Year (San Francisco)

Policy & GovernmentApril 2026

10 min read

How an Indian Blockchain Company Can Win US Government Relationships Through Strategic Lobbying

Navigating US federal and state policy is not a barrier — it is a competitive moat. Here is how to build it.

For an Indian blockchain company entering the US market, the technology is rarely the obstacle. The obstacle is policy. US federal agencies, state governments, and municipal procurement offices operate within regulatory frameworks that were written before distributed ledger technology existed — and are being rewritten now, in real time, by lobbyists, industry coalitions, and founders who understood early that the policy environment is a product decision, not a compliance afterthought. This article explains how an Indian blockchain company can use strategic government relations to accelerate market entry, win public sector contracts, and shape the regulatory environment in its favor.

30+ Wyoming Blockchain Statutes ·$10–25K Monthly Lobbyist Retainer

Founder GuideMarch 2026

7 min read

How to Choose a US Market Entry Partner: The 7 Questions Every Founder Must Ask

Not all soft landing programs are equal. Here is the due diligence framework that separates genuine infrastructure from expensive desk space.

The market for US market entry advisory services has expanded rapidly. Accelerators, coworking spaces, government agencies, and private consultants all offer some version of a landing program. The quality variance is enormous. This article provides the due diligence framework that international founders should apply before committing to any market entry partner.

7 Due Diligence Questions ·21 days Documented First Meeting Average

Location StrategyFebruary 2026

8 min read

Soft Landing Programs Compared: Richardson, Silicon Valley, New York, and Austin

A data-driven comparison of the four most common US landing destinations for international founders — on the dimensions that actually determine first-year success.

The choice of US landing destination is one of the highest-leverage decisions an international founder makes. The wrong choice costs 12–18 months and $200K–$500K in runway. The right choice compresses the path to first US revenue by the same margin. This comparison evaluates the four most common destinations on the six dimensions that determine first-year outcomes.

21 days Richardson: First Enterprise Meeting ·3–6 mo Silicon Valley: First Enterprise Meeting

Founder GuideJanuary 2026

9 min read

The India–US Corridor: A Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Founders

From Hyderabad to Richardson in 90 days: the operational playbook that 24 companies have used to land, sell, and scale in the US market.

This is the operational guide that Startup Runway provides to every Indian founder entering the US through the India–US corridor. It covers the 12 steps from initial readiness assessment to first US revenue, with realistic timelines, cost estimates, and the specific institutional resources available at each stage.

12 steps From Readiness to Revenue ·90 days Target: First US Revenue

Trade Mission ReportFebruary 2025

7 min read

Inside the 7-Day India Investment Mission: 350+ Startups, 15 MOUs, and a Meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana

Startup Runway's January 2025 delegation — with Frisco EDC and McKinney EDC — covered Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, and more in seven days.

In January 2025, Startup Runway led a seven-day investment mission across five Indian cities with economic development partners from Frisco and McKinney, Texas. The mission generated 350+ startup interactions, 15+ MOUs, and a meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana — producing a pipeline that continues to feed the Richardson IQ® incubator today.

350+ Startup Interactions ·15+ MOUs Signed

Trade Mission ReportMarch 2025

6 min read

5 US Companies, 600+ Meetings, $500K in Paid POCs: What the India Investment Mission Delivered

Startup Runway's US-to-India trade mission — with the City of Richardson and Ryan LLC — produced 60+ government-level appointments, 40+ POCs signed, and 4 contracts in three weeks.

Startup Runway took five US technology companies to India on a structured trade mission, producing 600+ company interactions, 60+ government-level appointments, and $500,000 in paid proof-of-concept agreements in three weeks. This is the operational model behind the 1:20 ROI figure.

$500K Paid POCs in 3 Weeks ·60+ Gov't Appointments

Intelligence for
Global Builders.

The India–US Market Entry Playbook: What 24 Companies Taught Us

How Cities Can Compete for FDI Without a $50M Budget

Why Fortune 500 Companies Are Using International Corridors as Innovation Labs

What Is a Soft Landing Program? (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

How to Set Up a US Entity as a Foreign Founder

Richardson vs. San Francisco, New York, and Austin: A Founder's Honest Comparison

How an Indian Blockchain Company Can Win US Government Relationships Through Strategic Lobbying

How to Choose a US Market Entry Partner: The 7 Questions Every Founder Must Ask

Soft Landing Programs Compared: Richardson, Silicon Valley, New York, and Austin

The India–US Corridor: A Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Founders

Inside the 7-Day India Investment Mission: 350+ Startups, 15 MOUs, and a Meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana

5 US Companies, 600+ Meetings, $500K in Paid POCs: What the India Investment Mission Delivered

Receive the Global Market Entry Brief

Intelligence forGlobal Builders.

The India–US Market Entry Playbook: What 24 Companies Taught Us

How Cities Can Compete for FDI Without a $50M Budget

Why Fortune 500 Companies Are Using International Corridors as Innovation Labs

What Is a Soft Landing Program? (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

How to Set Up a US Entity as a Foreign Founder

Richardson vs. San Francisco, New York, and Austin: A Founder's Honest Comparison

How an Indian Blockchain Company Can Win US Government Relationships Through Strategic Lobbying

How to Choose a US Market Entry Partner: The 7 Questions Every Founder Must Ask

Soft Landing Programs Compared: Richardson, Silicon Valley, New York, and Austin

The India–US Corridor: A Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Founders

Inside the 7-Day India Investment Mission: 350+ Startups, 15 MOUs, and a Meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana

5 US Companies, 600+ Meetings, $500K in Paid POCs: What the India Investment Mission Delivered

Receive the Global Market Entry Brief

Intelligence for
Global Builders.