Know Before You Go: Florida's International Soft Landings Summit
Know Before You Go
Florida's International Soft Landings Summit
Explore Florida's startup ecosystem from anywhere in the world, before you get on a plane.
A free virtual summit where international founders meet the incubators, accelerators, universities, and advisors ready to help them land and grow in the United States.
Friday, January 15, 2027 · 9:00 - 11:00 AM ET · 100% online
90 booths · 12 expo floors · a Main Stage · all in one virtual venue you can walk around
[See Who's Exhibiting]
Register early, meet people sooner
Registration comes with Boardy, an AI superconnector. After you sign up, Boardy calls you to learn about your business and your U.S. goals.
If you miss the call, it follows up by text, then by email.
Then the introductions start. Boardy connects you with other registrants and with the Florida programs and advisors that fit you best, right up to January 15.
The earlier you register, the more introductions you get. On summit day, you'll walk in to familiar faces.
Your first stop in the U.S. market
Expanding into the United States raises big questions. Where should you base your company? Which program fits your industry and stage? What do you need to know about visas, banking, taxes and setting up a legal entity?
Know Before You Go puts the answers in one place. Hosted by the Florida Business Incubation Association (FBIA), the summit brings together dozens of Florida's entrepreneurial support organizations.
In a single morning, you can compare programs across the state, talk directly with the people who run them, and leave with a shortlist and real contacts.
What you'll get
Face-to-face conversations. Walk up to any booth and start a video chat with program leaders, just like at an in-person expo.
Practical landing guidance. Meet advisors who help international companies with visas, legal setup, insurance, fundraising and operations.
Industry-matched connections. Find programs that specialize in your sector, from life sciences and aerospace to fintech and defense tech.
Expert sessions. Hear from Florida's ecosystem leaders on the Main Stage about what it takes to launch a U.S. operation.
It's not a webinar. It's Gatherly.
The summit takes place on Gatherly, an interactive virtual venue that runs in your browser, with no download needed.
You appear on a map of the venue and move your own avatar around. When you get close to someone, a video conversation opens automatically.
▶️ See it in 37 seconds:
Your venue: 15 floors, one elevator
Floor 1 · Welcome: check in and visit the FBIA help desk. You arrive here.
Floor 2 · Main Stage: keynotes, panels and regional spotlights.
Floor 3 · Start Here: Statewide Partners: trade, export and investment resources for all of Florida.
Floors 4–11 · Regional expo floors: explore Florida region by region (below).
Floor 12 · Services: Capital: investors and funding partners.
Floor 13 · Services: Set Up & Operate: legal, insurance, compliance and operations advisors.
Floor 14 · Services: Grow: marketing, mentoring and tools to scale in the U.S.
Floor 15 · Networking Lounge: open conversation with founders, mentors and ecosystem leaders.
Explore Florida, region by region
Floor 4 · Panhandle & Capital Region. Defense innovation, government contracting and university research, anchored in Tallahassee and Northwest Florida.
Floor 5 · Gainesville & North Central Florida. One of the country's leading life sciences and biotech clusters, home to UF Innovate and San Felasco Tech City.
Floor 6 · Northeast Florida. Jacksonville's growing ecosystem in health innovation, logistics and fintech, including the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange.
Floor 7 · Space Coast & Orlando. Aerospace, simulation and defense technology, from NASA Kennedy Space Center to UCF and Central Florida Tech Grove.
Floor 8 · Greater Central Florida. Emerging hubs in Seminole, Lake and Marion counties, with room to grow and competitive costs.
Floor 9 · Tampa Bay. A fast-growing tech scene with strengths in maritime and defense, fintech and health, led by programs like Tampa Bay Wave, Embarc Collective and USF Connect.
Floor 10 · Gulf Coast & Southwest Florida. Established regional hubs in Lakeland, Pasco, Sarasota and Southwest Florida, with a lower cost of entry.
Floor 11 · South Florida. A gateway to Latin America, with top university programs at FIU, UM, NSU and FAU and world-class research institutions.
Agenda
All times Eastern. The expo floors, Main Stage and Networking Lounge run at the same time, so move around.
Starts when you register: Boardy begins making introductions
9:00 AM: Doors open, check in on Floor 1
9:05 AM: Opening remarks from FBIA
9:10 AM: Title sponsor welcome
9:15 AM: Keynote: Florida 101 for international founders, followed by Main Stage sessions
9:45 AM: Expo floors open, with 90 booths on Floors 3–14
10:45 AM: Closing remarks
10:50 AM: Networking Lounge on Floor 15
On the Main Stage
Keynote: Florida 101 for international founders. Why Florida, how the ecosystem is organized, and how to choose where to land.
Panel: Landing in Florida. International founders who made the move share what they wish they'd known.
Visas and immigration pathways for founders. The visa options founders actually use, and how long each one takes.
Setting up your U.S. company. Entity formation, banking, tax and insurance: what to do first, and what can wait.
Capital in Florida. Angels, venture funds and state programs backing companies that land here.
Regional spotlights. Quick pitches from every region, so you know which floors to visit next.
Speakers to be announced.
Who should attend
Founders and executives of startups and growth-stage companies outside the U.S. that are exploring expansion
Companies already considering Florida that want to compare locations and programs
International trade offices, accelerators and investors supporting companies going global
About FBIA
Since 1998, the Florida Business Incubation Association has connected the incubators, accelerators and innovation hubs that power Florida's startup economy. Its member organizations work in every region of the state. From 2020 to 2024, the companies they supported achieved:
1,885 companies served · 390 companies graduated · $1.15B investment raised · $210M in grants
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cost to attend?
Registration is free.
What happens after I register?
Boardy, our AI superconnector, will call you to learn about your business and goals. If you miss the call, Boardy follows up by text, then email. You'll then get introductions to other registrants and to the organizations that fit you best, right up to the summit.
What do I need to join?
A laptop or desktop with a webcam, a microphone and an up-to-date Chrome browser.
What language is the event in?
The event is in English. Many exhibitors also speak other languages; look for language tags on their booths.
I'm in a different time zone. Will sessions be recorded?
Yes. Main Stage sessions will be recorded and shared with registered attendees.
Do I need to have decided on Florida already?
Not at all. The summit is built for founders who are still exploring.
Where do I get help on the day?
Take the elevator to Floor 1 and walk up to the FBIA help desk.
For FBIA members and partners
Want to exhibit or learn about the title sponsorship?
Contact events@gatherly.io