Cross Ocean Ventures

? Last night, we celebrated the visionaries, trailblazers, and changemakers at the Create the Future Awards with the Downtown San Diego Partnership. This annual event honors the people, organizations, and initiatives shaping the future of Downtown San Diego. A special congratulations to the amazing Nikki Clay, who received the Founders Award for her career-spanning leadership and dedication to our community. We also recognized outstanding contributions including: - Small Business Impact Award: FeeLIT Records - Government Partner of the Year : summer stephan, San Diego County District Attorney - Jim Dawe Humanitarian Award: Paul Downey, President & CEO of Serving Seniors - Cultural Vitality Award: Balboa Park Paseo - Create the Future Award – San Diego Symphony Jacobs Music Center This year, a portion of the event’s proceeds supported the Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Foundation, dedicated to improving quality-of-life initiatives and special projects for our urban neighborhoods. It was a wonderful evening of celebration, and a huge thank you to Betsy Brennan, President & CEO of the Partnership, the amazing team, the dedicated board, and all the supporters who make this work possible. Your leadership and commitment continue to shape a vibrant and thriving Downtown! ?

? Excited for the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit! ? As an immigrant founder, I’ve experienced both the excitement and challenges of scaling a business in a new country. That’s why I’m honored to join the From Launch to Maturity: How to Grow and Scale Tech Startups into the U.S. Market panel on May 13, alongside inspiring speakers like Bill Kenney, John L., and Jeffrey Smith, who have successfully navigated this journey. The U.S. offers immense opportunities, but entering a new market comes with its own set of challenges. This panel will dive into real-world experiences, best practices, and key lessons learned from those who have done it firsthand. ?? Looking forward to learning from fellow panelists, meeting incredible founders from around the world, and exchanging ideas with the global community at #SelectUSASummit. The energy, ambition, and innovation this summit brings together is truly inspiring. A special thanks to Ashley Appelman, Erin Finnegan Thomas, CMP, Beeta Christine R., and the entire SelectUSA team for their dedication and hard work in bringing this event to life! #SelectUSASummit #FDI #Startups #Entrepreneurship #ScalingStartups #BusinessExpansion #InvestInTheUS #Networking #GlobalFounders #ImmigrantFounder

16 years ago, the EU and US economies were evenly matched. Today, the US economy is 50% larger than the entire EU combined. Why? Europe prioritized security over growth. The US prioritized innovation over-regulation. The outcome? The US is home to 9 trillion-dollar companies, dominating 9 out of 10 of the most valuable companies worldwide. Europe? Still waiting for its first.

Excited to share insights from our Founding Partner Zeynep Ilgaz's recent podcast interview with Bill Kenney, discussing how international founders can successfully expand to the U.S. market! ?? At Cross Ocean Ventures, we understand the founder's journey firsthand. Success in the U.S. market requires more than just a great idea: it demands strategic execution, adaptability, and strong relationships. Key insights shared: - Strategic market entry preparation is crucial - Building the right relationships can accelerate growth - Consistent follow-up turns opportunities into partnerships Remember: every setback is a setup for a comeback. Your resilience and ability to learn from challenges will define your path forward.

Stay updated with the latest insights, resources, and updates from the Cross Ocean, including highlights from?LaunchUSA, a?free community?supporting international founders expanding to the U.S. Don’t miss out—subscribe now to access valuable content designed to support your growth! #venture #vc

Are you a founder from SEE region, eager to scale to the USA? ?? Join us at TODAY'S Webinar from 16:00 - 17:30 CET: “From $500K to $5M: A SEE Founders’ Guide to U.S. Market Success” Register here: https://lu.ma/opjjj5v1 ?? With Entrepreneurs who will share practical tips: - Milan Saes Partner at Cross Ocean Ventures - Jakub Zimola Head of North America for J&T Ventures - Jack Thorogood founder of Native Teams, a successful SEE startup that has reached global heights! ?? This session will cover: ? Proven strategies for scaling from $500K to $5M ARR in the U.S. ? Key challenges SEE founders face and how to overcome them. ? Insights on building an effective go-to-market strategy tailored to the U.S. ? Real-life success stories and lessons learned from experienced founders. ? Launching of the Scale SEE Accelerator - will tell you at the Webinar ;) #VCs #Startups #SEE #LAUNCH #USA

I was honored to deliver the keynote at the Second Annual Aztec Softball Fundraiser yesterday, representing San Diego State University as the Chair of the Women’s Athletic Fund. As a passionate advocate for women's sports, I'm continually inspired by what our softball program has accomplished under Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz exceptional leadership. The achievements are remarkable: Our student-athletes maintain academic excellence while competing at an elite level—such as Isabella Espinoza, Desiree Hernandez, Cece Cellura and so many more. This isn't just about softball—it's about investing in the future of women's sports at San Diego State University and beyond. When we support these athletes, we're not just building better programs; we're creating opportunities that transform lives and inspire the next generation. Thank you Adela de la Torre, John David Wicker, Jenny Bramer and Bob Moosbrugger for your leadership in elevating all our athletes to the next level. Special thanks to Megan J., Nicholas DiPaola, Kendall Fearn, Caitlin Grimes, Bryce Te Kulve and the enitre team, staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. And thank you to my love Serhat Pala for always being by my side. ???? #GoAztecs #WomenInSports #SupportWomensSports #SDSU

To any SEE founders looking to expand to the US, this is a must attend webinar!

Should I Use Advisors When Entering the US Market? Expanding into the U.S. market is no small feat. Even companies with €10M+ in revenue and solid European customer bases find it challenging to break into the world’s largest economy. One MedTech company I recently worked with recognized this and sought help: they built a board of well-networked U.S.-based advisors to help them make the leap. Why consider advisors for your U.S. expansion? Advisors bring expertise, industry connections, and a deep understanding of the nuances of doing business in the U.S. They can help you:? ? Navigate complex regulatory frameworks.? ? Open doors to potential customers, partners, and investors.? ? Conduct market research to understand the local audience.? ? Avoid costly missteps in strategy, pricing, or cultural differences. How to leverage advisors effectively:? 1?? Start Broad: Engage an advisor with general market entry experience early. They can help refine your U.S. strategy and highlight initial blind spots.? 2?? Go Deep Later: As you encounter specific challenges (e.g., distribution channels, IP protection), consider adding niche advisors or even consultants for short-term needs.? 3?? Build Relationships: Choose advisors who are genuinely invested in your success. This isn’t just about expertise; it’s about trust and shared vision. Working with advisors isn't just for massive corporations—it’s a practical, cost-effective strategy for scaling startups and mid-sized businesses alike. With the right advisory team, you’ll gain local knowledge and connections that can make all the difference. Check out my interview with Bill Eigner to learn more!

Yesterday, Ellen M. Chang and LaunchUSA hosted a fantastic session diving into the complexities of working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as a foreign founder. Here are my top takeaways: ???? The DoD is Massive. With a staggering $841 billion+ National Defense Budget, 3.4 million service members and civilians, and 4,800 sites in over 160 countries, the DoD’s scale is beyond most organizations' comprehension. ?? R&D Contracts ≠ Actual Contracts Don’t confuse research and development (R&D) funding with operational contracts—understanding the distinction is key. ?? The DoD as a Customer The DoD is a high-retention, credit-risk-free customer that’s resilient to economic cycles. Once you're in, expanding your contract can be straightforward, making them a great partner for scaling your business. ?? Opportunity for Startups As DoD budgets increasingly favor startups, those developing cutting-edge tech with defense applications can leverage government contracts to achieve market leadership and outpace competitors. ? The Right Board Advisors Matter Having experienced board advisors with DoD expertise is invaluable—but choose wisely! Ellen shared actionable advice on identifying the right fit for your team. ?? Start Bidding! Foreign companies can register at sam. gov to explore bidding opportunities. You’ll likely need special international programs, U.S. partnerships, or to set up a U.S. entity to succeed. ?? Watch the Full Webinar: https://lnkd.in/e27-UiVh For more insights, catch the recording in the LaunchUSA community. Let’s continue the conversation: What’s been your biggest challenge or learning about working with the DoD? ?? #LaunchUSA #DoD #ForeignFounders #DefenseInnovation #StartupGrowth