How we’re helping founders prepare for the US market

Expanding into the US is one of the biggest opportunities for any ambitious business. It’s also one of the easiest places to make expensive mistakes.

That was the focus of our latest IW Capital portfolio event, where founders from across our portfolio came together to hear from advisers who have helped countless British businesses establish themselves successfully in the world’s largest market.

Hosted by Wilson Sonsini, the session brought together experts from Frazier & Deeter and FieldHouse Associates to share practical insight drawn from years of experience. Rather than focusing on theory, the discussion centred on the realities of entering a new market and the decisions that can make the difference between success and failure.

The event also reflected something we believe strongly at IW Capital: investing in a business is just the beginning of the relationship.

Founders often tell us that some of the most valuable support they receive isn’t another board meeting. It’s an introduction to the right adviser whether that’s specialist expertise or another founder who has faced the same challenge before.

The evidence backs this up. Research published in Small Business Economics found that founders who receive structured mentoring make stronger progress across key areas of business development including fundraising capability and operational performance as well as the growth of their network.

For companies looking to expand internationally, those relationships matter. Understanding the legal framework, developing your messaging for a new audience, navigating tax requirements or refining a launch communications strategy is easier when you have experienced partners around the table.

That’s why we invest time in bringing our portfolio together. These sessions are designed to give founders access to the expertise and networks that can help them move faster and make better-informed decisions.

At IW Capital, we believe the best investment partnerships are built on more than capital alone; they are built on shared ambition and practical support.

If you’re building a high-growth business and looking for an investment partner that will support you throughout your growth journey, we’d love to hear from you.