Coming to America: Transforming UK/EU Companies through US Expansion and Fundraising
For many UK tech companies, the US offers an opportunity to access increased capital, commercial opportunities, and organisational rigour. However, successfully competing with US companies in their home market requires a willingness to re-evaluate many aspects of a UK/EU tech business.
In this facilitated Q&A session led by Daniel Glazer, London Office Managing Partner and US Expansion Lead at Silicon Valley-headquartered Wilson Sonsini, we will discuss what it takes for a UK/EU tech company to compete and win in the US and to meet the expectations of US investors, commercial partners, employees, and acquirors.
Wilson Sonsini has represented more tech companies on their venture financings, M&A transactions, and IPOs than any other law firm globally. The firm is a Silicon Valley "anchor tenant," having taken public Apple, Doordash, Google, Linkedin, Lyft, Netflix, Palantir, Roblox, Square, Tesla, Twitter, and many others.
Wilson Sonsini’s integrated US/UK team in London has supported 2000+ UK/EU tech and life sciences companies during their US life cycle – US launch and scaling, US fundraising, and US M&A/IPO exit – including 9fin, Attio, Babylon Health, Current Health, ElevenLabs, Featurespace, Hyperexponential, Manna Drone, Mews, Modo Energy, Monzo, Onfido, Paddle, Perk, Phare Health, PolyAI, Remote.com, and StackOne.
Here is a sample of various frequently-asked questions:
When should we look to raise money from US VCs?
How do US VC expectations differ from those of UK/EU VCs?
Do US VCs require a US company to fund a UK/EU business?
When is the right time to establish a US subsidiary and US-based operations?
Does UK/EU management need to move to the US?
How long does US set up take and how much does it cost?
Where is the best place to set up in the States?
How is hiring different in the US, and what’s the optimal US team?
How do we sell/pitch in the US as a UK/EU business?
Does everyone really sue each other all the time in the US?
To help formulate other questions in advance, here is Wilson Sonsini’s US Expansion, Fundraising & Exit.