/ About this event
Building a startup outside the U.S. and thinking about your next move?
Join a select group of international founders with proven traction, plus growth and VC experts from Build Momentum and J.P. Morgan Global Passport, for an afternoon on getting U.S. entry right: first customers, positioning, partnerships, fundraising readiness, and the financial setup behind it.
We’ll explore how to turn home-market traction into U.S. growth, with candid examples, practical advice, and time for your questions.
MEET THE PANEL
• Barry O’Brien, Global Co-Head, Global Passport at J.P. Morgan: Bringing experience across international expansion, banking, strategic investment, and venture networks, with a perspective on what companies need as they enter and grow in new markets.
• Brandon Newkirk, Build Momentum GTM & Growth Expert in Residence: A four-time VP of Marketing and ten-time fractional CMO across venture-backed startups and enterprise innovation. Brandon has grown B2B sales pipeline to $100M+ and taken consumer brands to market in the U.S. and abroad. He helps founders choose where to compete, sharpen positioning, and build the marketing engine to scale.
Hosted and moderated by Michael Meo, founder of Build Momentum.
WHAT WE’LL COVER
• Is the U.S. the right move now? What signals readiness, and what needs to be tested again with U.S. customers?
• Choosing your first U.S. customer segment, adapting your positioning, and finding the right channel to win initial customers and pilots.
• Turning introductions and partnerships into real opportunities.
• Getting ready for U.S. venture investors: the traction, growth story, and operating foundation they want to see.
• Building a U.S. presence that fits your traction, including when to hire locally and what banking and payment setup matters.
AGENDA
2:00–2:30 PM: Arrival, coffee, treats, and good conversations
2:30–3:15 PM: Moderated conversation with Barry, Michael, and Brandon on customers, GTM, fundraising, and U.S. operations
3:15–3:35 PM: Founder AMA. Bring a specific decision or challenge you’re working through.
3:35–4:30 PM: Curated mixer and targeted introductions
WHO IT’S FOR
International founders with traction who are exploring U.S. expansion or already piloting, selling, or scaling here, whether you’re looking to win customers, hire, fundraise, build partnerships, or establish a local presence.
Monday, October 5 · 2–4:30 PM San Francisco · Attendance by approval Venue and arrival details shared with approved guests.
HOSTS
Build Momentum is LA’s leading venture studio, helping international founders enter and grow in the U.S. with expert go-to-market, growth, and product teams on the ground. We bring the local expertise, relationships, and hands-on execution to sharpen your positioning, win customers, build products, and scale your U.S. presence. https://buildmomentum.dev/us-expansion
J.P. Morgan Global Passport supports international companies and founders as they expand into the U.S., connecting them with banking resources, expertise, and networks to build and scale in new markets. https://www.jpmorgan.com/international-banking
This event is part of #SFTechWeek, a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. https://www.tech-week.com/
