International Track
International Track
Washington, DC is home to 550+ multinational corporations, 175+ embassies, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and all U.S. government federal agencies. As the largest university in the capital, GW provides access to key decision-makers shaping global business and regulatory policy. GW’s U.S. Market Discovery Program assists international startups in navigating a soft landing and in exploring the commercial viability of their idea in the U.S. market.
The George Washington University's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GW OIE) has a global footprint. In the past, GW OIE has partnered with the United States Department of State (DOS), the World Bank Group (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to conduct over 45 international programs with teams from Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, France, Georgia, India, Ireland, Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Sudan.
GW OIE has served in the U.S. National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program since its inception, and was one of only a handful of institutions selected to be initial I-Corps grant awardees in 2013. NSF I-Corps is an immersive training program which facilitates the transformation of research into impact. I-Corps is based on the evidenced-based entrepreneurship methodologies of Lean Startup, which have been deemed by NSF to be the most effective way to build the “entrepreneurial mindset”. Lean Startup training helps innovators explore the commercial viability of their ideas through direct interaction with their intended customers, learn their customers’ needs, and examine how those needs could best be fulfilled through market offerings (“customer discovery”). Recently in January 2022, GW again became a partner institution in the new I-Corps Mid-Atlantic Hub, advancing innovation in the Mid-Atlantic region and expanding the societal impact of fundamental research.
Metrics
1,500+ startup teams trained (2010-2022)
Global Reach
22 countries served
Investment
$1.8 billion in follow-on financing
Capacity Building
200+ instructors & mentors trained internationally
U.S Access
300+ teams introduced to the U.S market
Ecosystem Building
4 regional startup ecosystems built (VA, DC, South Korea, Brazil)
GW's U.S Market Discovery Programs
GW’s U.S. Market Discovery Programs assist international startups in exploring the commercial viability of their idea in the U.S. market, and utilize the Washington, DC ecosystem.
U.S. Market Industry Advisory Panels
GW-affiliated industry experts, investors and serial entrepreneurs evaluate the soft-landing potential of an international startup. GW’s half-day U.S. Market Discovery Advisory Panel is akin to having an Advisory Panel for your business idea, with GW Mentors acting as fill-in "advisors". GW uses its 20+ years of experience in the region and extensive network of experts in various industries to source subject matter and industry specialists for the Advisory Panel, and GW’s in-house Mentors provide key insights into the U.S. market.
Before the session, a company will be asked to send over certain data. During the session, a company will present their status to-date based on a provided template, answer questions, and then receive coordinated feedback and guidance on next steps. Additionally, GW Mentors are good contacts to have, as each is well-connected in the Washington, DC investor ecosystem. We recommend this option for firms who think they might eventually enter the U.S. market, but are unsure or curious as to how close or far away they are from the ability to do just that.
U.S. Market Stakeholder Tailored Course
GW’s 6-month U.S. Market Discovery Tailored Course assists startups in solidifying their go-to-market strategy in the U.S. using individualized support and connections. With assistance, startups explore the commercial viability of their idea in the U.S. market through direct interaction with intended stakeholders, learning relevant stakeholders’ needs and examining how those needs could best be fulfilled through a particular business model.
GW uses its 20+ years of experience and extensive network of experts to individually mentor a startup on a viable path into a specific market. The course includes lecture and assignment elements, but revolves around a personized long-term relationship with a GW Mentor based on the achievement of milestones. GW Mentors understand the startup team, their level of experience, their sector, and the stage of their business in order to provide appropriate long-term direction. We recommend this option for firms committed, through time and energy, to entering the U.S. market.
Global Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development
Ecosystem Development
Assistance to countries or regional institutions in the development of training and mentoring networks for startups.
Lean Startup Trainings
Virtual, in-person, or hybrid training programs, designed based on partner needs.
Instructor & Mentor Training
Custom trainings in Lean Startup methodology and GW's structured mentoring with ongoing support and integration into GW's international community of mentors.
"Soft Landing" Support
Access to GW-Linked facilities and services; Guidance and support for navigating the FDA or other regulatory hurdles; Exposure to top venture capital resources in the U.S.; Assistance with creating legal entities and partnerships; And assistance with visas.
Mentoring Philosophy & Culture
At GW OIE, our mentors never judge a startup idea itself. Ideas will morph and pivot as founders learn to be attuned to market signals. Over time, this produces more agile, better prepared startup teams.
GW OIE doesn't pick unicorns on behalf of the program - we train entrepreneurs to build unicorns.
Milestone-Based Help
Our milestone-based tracking structure both rewards continued perseverance by a startup team, allowing them to proceed at their own pace, and places value on a mentor's time.
Long-Term Support
Successful startups are developed over years, not weeks. GW's commitment to venture development reflects that. We provide consistent mentorship support throughout the years-long process.
Early-Stage Networks
GW OIE and our partners host monthly community meetups, which bring together hundreds of founders, mentors, and investors for information sharing, networking, and skills training.
Penn West Soft Landing Program &
Global Build Fellowship for International Startups
The Penn West Equity and Innovation District is a partnership between GW, the Golden Triangle BID, DMPED, WDCEP, the Federal City Council, and Studio by Tishman Speyer that offers a Soft Landing Program for international startups launching in DC. The Global Build Fellowship provides visa solutions for international startups and/or key personnel as part of the Penn West Global Soft Landing Program through a partnership with the Open Avenues Foundation and GW.
Program Includes
- H-1B Visa for Founders or Key Personnel
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The Penn West Global Build Fellowship, through the Open Avenues Foundation in cooperation with GW, provides an H1-B visa for eligible foreign founders and key personnel launching their startups in the Penn West Equity and Innovation District.
- U.S Market Discovery Program
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The Global Build Fellowship includes GW’s U.S. Market Discovery program, a compulsory training program which assists international startups in exploring the commercial viability of their idea in the U.S. market.
There are two U.S. Market Discovery options...
U.S. Market Discovery Advisory Board
- GW’s half-day U.S. Market Discovery Advisory Board is akin to having an advisory board for your business idea, with GW Mentors acting as fill-in "advisors". GW uses its extensive network of experts throughout various industries to source subject matter and industry specialists for the Advisory Board, and GW’s in-house Mentors-in Residence also provide key insights into the U.S. market. During the session, a company will present their status to-date, answer questions, and then receive coordinated feedback and guidance on next steps. Additionally, GW Mentors are good contacts to have, as each is well-connected in the Washington, DC investor ecosystem.
U.S. Market Discovery Short Course
- GW’s 3-week U.S. Market Discovery Short Course provides training and long-term mentorship for startups looking to solidify their business model and go-to-market strategy in the United States. GW’s Short Course helps international startups explore the commercial viability of their ideas in the U.S. market through direct interaction with intended stakeholders - learning relevant stakeholders’ needs and examining how those needs could best be fulfilled. The cohort begins with three days of initial lecture followed by 2.5 weeks of U.S. customer discovery work. Before, during and after a U.S. Market Discovery Short Course, teams are supported by a GW Mentor who provides guidance and feedback for up to six months. GW Mentors understand the startup team, their level of experience, and the stage of their business in order to provide appropriate direction.
Korea Innovation Center, Tech Frontier Program
U.S. Market Entry Study
- Since 2016, 60-85 teams trained each year in Washington, DC
- 8 South Korean research universities represented
- Exposes teams to the U.S. market and its unique characteristics
- Helps teams establish connections to U.S. entities and customers
- Includes training of South Korean instructors and mentors
Support Summarized
Working with our international partners, GW OIE offers the below support:
Mentorship
Our mentors can be deputized to help build Lean Startup mentorship networks abroad.
Training
Our U.S. certified I-Corps instructors can provide commercialization training to scientists, researchers, and startups.
Community
All our program alumni are given access to our Lean Startup/I-Corps network of instructors, mentors, investors, and partners.
Sector Expertise
We offer specialized Industry Advisory Panels (IAPs) for more advanced teams seeking sector specific expertise.
U.S. Discovery
We can provide assistance regarding the American consumer & customer discovery, U.S. operations, U.S. regulatory systems, and U.S. law.
Visas
The Global Build Fellowship program places startup founders at universities, where they become eligible for an H-1B visa.