{"id":9144,"date":"2022-02-24T04:54:08","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T12:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/?p=9144"},"modified":"2026-08-03T08:49:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:49:26","slug":"can-international-startups-get-funding-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/blog\/startups\/can-international-startups-get-funding-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Can international startups get funding in the US?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can international startups get funding in the US?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yes. International startups can raise capital from US investors, and the US remains the largest funding<\/a> market in the world. The path requires targeting the right investor type, setting up US legal counsel, handling language and cultural gaps, building rapport with US-based VCs, and delivering a clear pitch deck<\/a>. Below is the full process, the investor types, and the scams to avoid.<\/p>\n

What does the current US startup funding climate look like?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The US startup funding market offers more capital than ever. In 2022 the US startup funding environment<\/a> was projected at $484.33 billion, up from $337.78 billion in 2017 (Statista). Startups are growing in popularity, and capital is more accessible for founders raising in this market.<\/p>\n

This is a strong window for founders to gain ground in the market. By the end of 2022, venture capital funding was expected to reach between $111 billion and $136 billion. That scale shows how central access to financing is for both US and international startups. Companies are willing to take risks toward the opportunity to succeed, provided they have sufficient funding available.<\/p>\n

Last year, 86% of VC<\/a> funding went to early-stage startups such as seed and Series A rounds. The most active investors were firms like Sequoia Capital, with $8.3 billion invested across 183 companies, and Andreessen Horowitz, with $5.7 billion across 124 companies.<\/p>\n

The takeaway: if you want US funding, aim for early-stage investors who are most likely to invest at your stage.<\/p>\n

The US startup funding market is estimated to be worth roughly 4x its nearest rival, China, making it the strongest investment environment for many international founders. Even from overseas, the US offers funding routes that may not exist in other countries.<\/p>\n

The climate is also supportive of entrepreneurs and new business concepts, with US governments offering tax breaks and funding benefits. That support makes it easier for an international business to get funding in the US than in many other countries.<\/p>\n

2021 was a challenging year for startups because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many experienced a “hype-cycle” during their infancy, failed quickly, and never had the chance to succeed. Other companies grew during this period and took advantage of reduced competition, using their potential to gain funding quickly and helping the startup ecosystem flourish.<\/p>\n

Because those companies are now more prominent than they would have been otherwise, the total market valuation of startups is higher than ever. As the pandemic subsides, there is a strong case for acting on the industry’s growth<\/a> now.<\/p>\n

Which types of startup investors exist and where do you find them?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

US startup capital comes from seven main investor types: accelerators and incubators, angel networks, corporate VCs, investment funds, venture capital firms, corporate incubators, and angel investment clubs. Most Series A and B rounds are raised in the US startup hubs. Last year the top three states for funding were California, New York, and Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

Head to these hot spots for the best chance of landing venture capital. As of 2022, the most active investor types were:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Accelerators and Incubators<\/strong> \u2014 They help entrepreneurs build businesses with a high likelihood of success, then take equity<\/a> (usually around 3%). Y Combinator and TechStars are early examples. Corporations like Airbus Ventures and business development companies (BDCs) like Accion USA also invest in startups.<\/li>\n
  2. Angel Networks<\/strong> \u2014 Successful entrepreneurs, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and occasionally small venture capital firms who come together to fund new companies.<\/li>\n
  3. Corporate VCs<\/strong> \u2014 Firms like Qualcomm Ventures and Intel Capital resemble traditional VCs but invest to build strategic relationships rather than purely for financial returns.<\/li>\n
  4. Investment Funds<\/strong> \u2014 Private equity funds and hedge funds. They typically make larger investments but intend to sell their shares later for a higher return.<\/li>\n
  5. Venture Capital Firms<\/strong> \u2014 Professional finance companies that invest on behalf of accredited investors (pension funds, insurance companies) and wealthy individuals. They typically invest $100,000 to $10 million per company.<\/li>\n
  6. Corporate Incubators<\/strong> \u2014 They invest in companies to help the parent corporation reach its growth and revenue targets.<\/li>\n
  7. Angel Investment Clubs<\/strong> \u2014 Informal groups of business people who invest their own money into startups, using either a standardized due diligence<\/a> process or their own intuition.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Each investor type has advantages and disadvantages. The right one depends on what your business needs most, so shop around before choosing which VCs to pitch.<\/p>\n

    \"Types
    Photo by DocuSign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    What are the steps to get US funding for your startup?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Follow six steps: identify the right investors, gather US laws and legal counsel, hire a translator, build rapport with US-based VCs, prepare and pitch, then use accelerator and incubator resources. Before you start, you need a clear idea of what your project does, proof<\/a> it is worthwhile, and a team that is passionate about the business.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Understand which investors to target.<\/strong> Investors range from those who back specific industries to those who focus on individual leaders. Weigh your options before reaching out.<\/li>\n
    2. Gather US laws and regulations that affect your business, and find native legal counsel.<\/strong> Many countries have different guidelines for conducting business, which affects whether a deal is viable. Local counsel handles legal issues that arise during the process.<\/li>\n
    3. Hire a translator to aid communication and documentation.<\/strong> You must understand your potential investors clearly. A native US translator understands cultural or language barriers and can advise you on them. Freelance services like Upwork are one place to find them.<\/li>\n
    4. Build rapport with US-based VCs.<\/strong> Ask for help gathering the right documentation and data about your business. Quality documentation provided ahead of time makes the investment process much smoother.<\/li>\n
    5. Prepare and pitch your business to VCs.<\/strong> The pitch deck is critical. Work with your translator on a clear, direct pitch that articulates your business and the value you provide, and follow industry-standard pitching practices. Be ready to answer why you need the investment, how it will be spent (capital expenditures), and what return the investor can expect.<\/li>\n
    6. Use the resources available.<\/strong> Accelerator programs, incubators, networking functions, online information sessions, and virtual entrepreneur communities can help your international startup find US funding.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Once you have pitched, the waiting game begins. Stay attentive to every communication channel you established with potential investors \u2014 communication is decisive in this phase.<\/p>\n

      M Accelerator is a readily available resource for startups foreign or US-based. Alongside mentors, events, and articles, we work with founders on concept validation<\/a>, product persuasion, a strategically developed marketing strategy, and pitching guidance.<\/p>\n

      How do you prepare a pitch deck without overthinking it?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      Build your pitch deck in four steps: define what your startup does, study how other companies raised US funding, assemble accurate data and visuals, then proofread for readability. Your deck should be a concise yet comprehensive business plan that is easy to understand, appealing to investors, and shows clear potential for scalability.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Understand what you and your startup do.<\/strong> This foundation supports all other work. You and your co-founders need to know the problem you solve and whom you solve it for.<\/li>\n
      2. Research how other companies gained US funding.<\/strong> Study their pitch decks and learn how other startups sharpened their business concepts and made it through funding.<\/li>\n
      3. Assemble key information, data, and figures.<\/strong> Data visualization matters because investors use it to judge your potential. Verify every figure for accuracy, and add supporting documentation or media that strengthens your pitch.<\/li>\n
      4. Read through your deck before showing anyone.<\/strong> Check spelling and readability, and work with a native US translator if needed. Comprehension is vital.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        After preparing, hold an investor meeting to pitch. Practice your pitch with your translator beforehand. Be confident, clear, and direct when you present.<\/p>\n

        A pitch deck runs 10 to 13 slides. That number is not arbitrary: it is the length that survives a live room, online or in person. What you send by email afterwards is a different document with a different job, and treating the two as interchangeable is why decks that read well on a screen die in a meeting. Our slide-by-slide structure lives in the Clarity Templates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        \"Preparing
        Pitch Day at M Accelerator.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        How do international founders avoid US funding scams?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Avoid five common scams: fake loan or grant offers, instant lenders, investors asking only for a percentage of your company, promises of meetings with high-profile officials, and requests to wire money to people you have never met. Legitimate investors offer fair capital for equity and agree in writing on what they expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Scam signal<\/th>\nWhat to do<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
        Fake loan or grant offer posing as the federal government<\/td>\nUS grants require no repayment. Do not share your identity or money. Report anyone posing as a federal agent.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Instant lenders promising a fast loan<\/td>\nThey want your financial information or money. Provide no data if they request it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Investors asking only for a percentage of your business<\/td>\nLikely a scam. Legitimate investors offer fair capital for equity. Never give away part of your company based on a “promise.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Promised meetings with the US Ambassador or officials<\/td>\nThese meetings are almost always impossible and used to harvest personal data. Share nothing, even with people posing as journalists.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Requests to wire money to someone you have never met<\/td>\nInvestors rarely operate this way. Only wire funds to people you know and trust face-to-face.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

        Two patterns come up repeatedly. In the first, someone approaches you as a family office or a VC fund and points you at a real website. You check it, and the firm genuinely exists. What does not check out is the person: they do not work there. The tell arrives later, when a fee appears for a service nobody can describe precisely.<\/p>\n

        The second is older and still running. A consulting group, usually presented as Swiss, has a client looking to invest in the US. The money can only move as crypto, and first they need to verify your wallet. There is no client and there is no investment.<\/p>\n

        \"Getting<\/figure>\n

        Is getting US funding as an international startup realistic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Yes, it is realistic. The US funding market is highly competitive, and access to capital is harder for international startups, but the steps in this guide raise your odds. Use available resources, do your research, build a strong pitch deck, practice your presentation, and stay alert to scams throughout.<\/p>\n

        Finding foreign startup funding in the US is challenging, but it is possible when you have the correct information and target the right early-stage investors in the right hubs.<\/p>\n

        For more guidance on finding investment capital in the US, visit M Accelerator’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process of getting funding in the US for your startup. We will cover everything from the current startup climate to preparing your pitch deck.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":9145,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1251],"tags":[99,856,1027,1411],"class_list":["post-9144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-startups","tag-business","tag-fundraising","tag-startups","tag-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9144"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9144\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maccelerator.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}