Founders

Structured as a follow-on extension of the Oz2US Accelerator, this residency provides a physical base, expert guidance, and extensive networks to help founders establish a presence quickly, connect with key stakeholders, and reduce risks associated with entering the U.S. market. Participants benefit from a supportive environment that fosters faster market entry through access to resources and contacts, expanded networks with entrepreneurs, partners, and investors, and a structured path to growth guided by experienced U.S. expansion experts.

The following is some of the value the Landing Pad provides to its participants.

• Workspace: A dedicated co-working facility in the heart of Silicon Valley offers a professional base to establish a U.S. presence without the overhead costs of leasing office space.
• Mentorship and Advisory: Participants gain access to local expert mentors, advisors, and supporters, including industry leaders, experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters, who provide valuable guidance on U.S. market expansion, regulations, sales, and scaling challenges.
• Networking Opportunities: Curated programs and events connect founders with a network of entrepreneurs, potential partners, and collaborators, enhancing visibility and partnership prospects in the U.S. market.
• Community: Participants join a supportive community of Australian founders and supporters, fostering collaboration and shared insights.
• Business Services: Building on the Accelerator, the residency offers access to additional support where needed, covering cultural orientation and adaptation, business incorporation, immigration processes, licensing and registration, tax compliance and accounting, legal requirements, intellectual property protection, venture capital and investor relations, go-to-market strategies, and employee management.
• Market Insights and Research: Complementing insights gained from the Accelerator, participants receive additional knowledge of the local business environment, including market opportunities, consumer behaviour, regulatory landscapes, and competitive analysis.
• Access to Investors: Introductions to venture capitalists, angel investors, and other funding sources are facilitated through direct connections, demo days, pitch events, and other regularly scheduled meetups.

Although advice, coordination, and discounts may be provided, generally, airfare, food, accommodation, and local transportation are not included, requiring participants to arrange and fund these independently.

Eligibility for the Oz2US Landing Pad Residency requires founders to demonstrate U.S. expansion readiness across product, market, business, and financial dimensions, either through successful completion of the Oz2US Accelerator or by equivalent evidence. For further details, refer to the FAQ tab.

For more information on the Landing Pad application process, selection criteria, requirements, and costs, please see the FAQ section.

Expanding into the U.S. offers Australian startups and scale-ups a transformative opportunity to unlock unparalleled growth, tap into a dynamic ecosystem, and accelerate their global ambitions. The U.S. market, with its vast consumer base, robust funding landscape, and influential networks, provides fertile ground for high-growth, tech-driven companies to scale rapidly and establish a competitive edge. Beyond sheer size, the U.S. delivers access to cutting-edge innovation hubs, a risk-tolerant investment culture, and a business environment that rewards ambition, making it an ideal launchpad for Australian founders ready to take their ventures to the next level. Here are the compelling reasons and opportunities driving this strategic move:

• Massive Market Access: The U.S. boasts a population of over 330 million and a GDP exceeding USD $25 trillion, dwarfing Australia’s 26 million and AUD $1.7 trillion. This scale offers a significantly larger total addressable market (TAM), enabling startups to target diverse consumer segments and achieve rapid revenue growth. Tech sectors like SaaS, e-commerce, and fintech thrive due to high consumer spending power and digital adoption.
• Increased Funding Opportunities: The U.S. hosts the world’s largest venture capital market, with over USD $200 billion invested annually compared to Australia’s AUD $4 billion last year (down from AUD $10 billion in 2021). U.S.-based VCs and angel investors often prefer U.S.-domiciled companies for governance ease and proximity, boosting confidence when startups relocate. Australian successes like Canva and Atlassian highlight this advantage after establishing a U.S. presence.
• Global Brand Exposure: U.S. expansion provides access to influential media, major industry events, and conferences that amplify brand visibility. This exposure attracts customers and positions startups as global players, enhancing credibility with suppliers, partners, and investors worldwide.
• Easier Business Alignment: U.S.-based suppliers, customers, and investors prefer working with local or domiciled companies due to shared legal, financial, and operational frameworks. This reduces friction compared to cross-border complexities from Australia, streamlining partnerships and contracts critical for scaling.
• Innovation and Talent Ecosystem: The U.S., especially hubs like Silicon Valley, offers proximity to cutting-edge technology, research institutions, and a deep talent pool. Australian startups can refine products, adopt emerging trends, and hire specialists, driving competitive differentiation and operational excellence.
• Revenue Diversification and Resilience: The U.S. market’s size and diversity allow startups to diversify revenue beyond Australia’s smaller, concentrated economy. This reduces reliance on domestic conditions and enhances resilience against regional economic fluctuations—a key growth strategy.
• Pathway to Global Dominance: Success in the U.S., a competitive and trendsetting market, serves as a springboard to other regions. Australian companies like Afterpay leveraged U.S. expansion to fuel global growth, capitalising on the market’s influence to attract international attention and resources. Oz2US Ventures supports this journey through our Accelerator and Landing Pad Residency programs, guiding startups to seize these opportunities effectively.

Expanding into the U.S. presents Australian startups with a mix of significant opportunities and formidable challenges. While the market’s size, funding potential, and innovation ecosystem are compelling, the journey is fraught with complexities that can strain resources, test resilience, and derail unprepared ventures. From fierce competition to regulatory hurdles, the U.S. demands meticulous planning and substantial investment to mitigate downside risks, such as financial losses, legal setbacks, or reputational damage. Below are the greatest challenges startups face when entering this highly dynamic and demanding market:

• Intense Market Competition: The U.S. is a fiercely competitive landscape, home to over 33 million businesses, including global giants and agile startups vying for the same customer budgets. Even with a unique solution, Australian startups must overcome entrenched incumbents, the inertia of the status quo, and well-funded competitors. Differentiation requires not just innovation but also significant marketing spend and local brand-building efforts, which can be a steep hill to climb for newcomers.
• High Costs and Resource Demands: Expansion to the U.S. is extremely challenging and expensive. Establishing a presence involves hefty upfront costs, such as market research, legal fees, hiring local talent, and securing office space, particularly in hubs like Silicon Valley where commercial rents average USD $70-$100 per square foot (AUD $1,200-$1,600 per square metre) annually. Ongoing expenses, including compliance, taxes, and customer acquisition, often exceed initial forecasts, draining cash reserves and requiring a runway well beyond the typical 12 months.
• Complex Regulatory Environment: The U.S. operates under a multilayered regulatory framework, with federal, state, and local laws varying widely. Startups must navigate business licensing, tax obligations (e.g., federal income tax, state sales tax), and industry-specific regulations, such as data privacy (CCPA in California) or healthcare compliance (HIPAA). For example, incorporating in Delaware is popular but requires understanding U.S. corporate law, while visa processes for relocating founders (e.g., E-2 or L-1) add further complexity and cost.
• Cultural and Consumer Differences: The U.S. market is diverse and fragmented, with consumer preferences, business practices, and expectations differing across regions and demographics. Australian startups may struggle to adapt their offerings or messaging to resonate with American customers, who often prioritise convenience, personalisation, and value-driven brands. Misreading these nuances can lead to poor market fit and wasted marketing efforts.
• Talent Acquisition and Retention: Hiring skilled U.S. talent is a double-edged sword. While the U.S. offers a deep talent pool, competition for top professionals, especially in tech, is fierce, with median salaries for software engineers in the Bay Area exceeding USD $150,000 (AUD $240,000) annually. Australian startups must also contend with U.S. employment laws (e.g., at-will employment, benefits mandates) and cultural expectations around compensation, such as stock options, which can inflate operational costs.
• Logistical and Operational Strain: Setting up U.S. operations involves managing time zone differences (up to 17 hours from Australia), shipping or supply chain logistics, and establishing reliable local partnerships. Without a physical presence, startups risk delays in customer support or sales cycles, while overextending resources to bridge these gaps can compromise efficiency and focus back home.
• Political and Policy Uncertainty: Recent and evolving U.S. and global political changes introduce additional risks to U.S. expansion. Shifts in immigration policies, such as visa restrictions, can complicate founder relocation or hiring, while unpredictable changes in trade tariffs, tax, or tech regulations may affect operational costs and market access. This volatility increases uncertainty, requiring startups to remain agile and adaptable to potential disruptions.
• Funding Stakes and Equity Costs: While U.S. venture capital is abundant, should founders choose to pursue it, they should know it comes with high stakes. American investors often expect aggressive growth metrics (e.g., ARR, LTV:CAC ratios) and a strong U.S. focus, pressuring rapid scaling. Though this funding can accelerate growth significantly, it carries the steep price of substantial founder equity dilution, potentially reducing long-term control and returns. Oz2US Ventures addresses these challenges through our Accelerator and Landing Pad Residency programs, offering tailored support to navigate this complex landscape.

The Oz2US Accelerator prepares high-growth, tech-driven Australian startups and scale-ups to successfully expand into the U.S. within 4–9 months. Targeting advanced, established companies, ideally between Seed and Series A stages (or equivalent), the program requires participants to be relatively product-, market-, and financially-ready for the U.S. market, building on a strong Australian foundation. Founders should meet most of these guidelines to self-evaluate their suitability:

• Scalable Product with Significant U.S. Potential: The startup must offer a scalable product or service with a strong competitive advantage, poised for massive hypergrowth within a significant U.S. total addressable market (TAM).
• Clear U.S. Expansion Vision: Founders need to articulate a compelling vision for U.S. growth, supported by existing sales, leads, or identified market opportunities in the U.S.
• Proven Australian Traction and Success: Founders must demonstrate a repeatable, scalable go-to-market (GTM) strategy with evidence of early user adoption, engagement, and consistent customer acquisition in Australia, alongside a solid domestic presence and success metrics, such as product/market fit, steady growth rate, customer retention, and at least $1 million in annual revenue (achieved or on track).
• Financial and Resource Readiness: The startup should have sufficient funding and resources, including a minimum 12-month runway, to support U.S. market entry.
• Capable and Coachable Team: A strong, cohesive team with business-building skills is essential, led by founders who are highly coachable and open to implementing expert advice.
• Founder Commitment: At least one full-time founder must commit to 6-8 hours per week of in-person participation during the 3-month program, with their team likely requiring considerable additional time to develop strategies, operational plans, playbooks, and resources, ensuring comprehensive U.S. expansion preparation.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We encourage applications from qualified startups with founders of all backgrounds, aiming to build diverse and inclusive cohorts.

The Oz2US Landing Pad Residency is a 3-month Silicon Valley program designed primarily to support founders and their high-growth, tech-driven Australian startups who have successfully completed the Oz2US Accelerator, equipping them with the knowledge, preparation, and outcomes needed to launch in the U.S. Through the Accelerator, participants will have gained a deep understanding of U.S. market dynamics, developed a detailed U.S. expansion plan, and achieved key milestones, such as a refined go-to-market (GTM) strategy, financial readiness, and team capability for international growth. Alternatively, founders who have not completed the Accelerator must clearly demonstrate equivalent competency in these areas. Founders should meet most of these guidelines to self-evaluate their suitability:

• Comprehensive U.S. Expansion Plan: The startup must have a detailed, actionable U.S. market entry plan with validated GTM tactics, clear objectives, and identified target markets.
• Proven Australian Foundation: Founders need to show a strong Australian base with proven traction, such as product/market fit, consistent customer acquisition, and at least $1 million in annual revenue (achieved or on track).
• Financial Preparedness: The company should have sufficient funding, including a minimum 12-month runway, to support residency costs (e.g., travel, accommodation) and initial U.S. operations.
• Operational Capability: The startup must be ready to establish a U.S. presence, with an existing product, active customers or partners, and the ability to adapt to U.S. regulatory, cultural, and business environments.
• Physical Presence Readiness: The startup must be equipped to operationalise a Silicon Valley base, with logistics and resources in place for immediate U.S. market engagement.
• Legal and Regulatory Preparedness: The startup must be prepared to navigate U.S. legal and regulatory requirements, including visas, incorporation, and compliance.
• Skilled, Committed, and Coachable Team: A cohesive team with business-building skills is essential, led by at least one founder committed to full participation in the 3-month residency (including relocation to Silicon Valley) and open to ongoing expert guidance.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We encourage applications from qualified startups with founders of all backgrounds, aiming to build diverse and inclusive cohorts.

If you’re unsure whether your startup meets the suitability criteria or is not fully prepared for the Accelerator or Landing Pad Residency, we encourage you to Contact Us to discuss your situation. For instance, if you lack a detailed U.S. expansion plan, sufficient funding, or proven traction (e.g., $1 million in annual revenue, achieved or on track), we can explore tailored options to bridge those gaps. This might include connecting you with our U.S. expansion experts for one-on-one mentoring or providing pre-program guidance to ensure you’re ready to maximise the benefits of our offerings. Our goal is to help tech-driven Australian startups achieve U.S. readiness, so let’s find the right path for you.

The Oz2US Ventures programs, both the Accelerator and Landing Pad Residency, have been created specifically to significantly assist the successful U.S. expansion of Australian high-growth, tech-driven startups and scale-ups. Our extensive curriculum, curated expert mentors, advisors, investors, and supporters are principally tech-focused and experienced, making these programs ideal for companies where technology is the core driver of innovation and growth. While Oz2US is generally sector-agnostic within the tech domain, participating companies must be significantly tech-driven or tech-enabled. In other words, if your startup is not fundamentally a tech-based company, these programs are not the right fit. For clarity, if your startup falls within one of the following technology sectors, Oz2US Ventures is likely a strong match to prepare and launch your U.S. expansion:

• AdTech
• AgTech
• Applied AI
• API
• Big Data
• B2B Tech
• B2C Tech
• CleanTech
• ClimateTech
• ConstructionTech
• CoreTech
• CriticalTech
• CyberTech
• DevTech
• EduTech
• EnergyTech
• FinTech
• FoodTech
• FutureTech (Future of Work)
• GenAI
• GigTech
• HealthTech
• MarTech
• MedTech
• MobileTech
• MobilityTech
• PropTech
• QuantumTech
• ResourcesTech
• SaaS
• SpaceTech
• SportsTech

These programs prioritise tech-first startups with strong scalability, making them unsuitable for sectors where technology is not the primary driver. Our curriculum and expert network are designed to support tech-first startups poised for rapid growth and innovation, not companies where technology plays a secondary role. Drawing from U.S. investor preferences, sectors often avoided due to insufficient growth potential, limited market size, intense competition, regulatory burdens, lack of defensible technology, or perceptions of being legally or morally questionable are unlikely to align with our programs’ goals. If your startup primarily operates in one of the following areas, Oz2US Ventures may not be the best fit for your U.S. expansion journey:

• Hardware: High capital costs, long development cycles, and competition from established players limit scalability and growth potential.
• Music and Audio Tech: Oversaturated markets dominated by giants offer narrow opportunities and weak defensibility.
• Dating and Social Apps: Intense competition and high user acquisition costs hinder scalable growth in a crowded space.
• Video Games and Digital Games: Hit-driven returns and saturation make consistent, high growth challenging without unique tech.
• Social Media: Dominance by incumbents and low switching costs shrink viable market share for new entrants.
• Defence Tech: Heavy regulation, long sales cycles, and ethical concerns can misalign with rapid tech-driven expansion.
• Consumer Products: Low margins and lack of tech scalability deter focus unless heavily tech-enabled.
• Infrastructure, Transportation, and Cities: Capital-intensive, slow adoption, and regulatory hurdles cap growth potential.
• Crypto and NFT: Volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and questionable perceptions limit broad appeal and stability.
• Restaurants and Food Service: Non-tech focus and small market size lack the scalability Oz2US targets.
• Cannabis: Federal illegality, complex regulations, and moral hesitancy conflict with program goals.
• Adult Entertainment: Legal risks and ethical concerns make it a poor fit for mainstream tech expansion.
• Traditional Media: Declining markets and minimal tech innovation offer insufficient growth opportunities.

As the Oz2US Accelerator engages some of the best U.S. expansion experts from Australia and the U.S., it delivers its program through a hybrid model that prioritises in-person engagement, enriched with online components where necessary. Recognising that collaboration, learning, and delivery are most effective face-to-face, the majority of workshops, standups, and interactive sessions are held in-person in the Melbourne CBD. This central location enables participants to benefit from direct access to expert mentors, peer collaboration, and hands-on support in a dynamic setting. Where top U.S. experts or other Australian specialists are based remotely, their sessions are streamed live to the cohort, gathered together in the CBD, ensuring real-time interaction and global insights. This in-person-first approach maximises the value of collective cohort engagement, face-to-face learning, and seamless integration of live expertise from afar, with participants expected to commit 6-8 hours per week to these sessions.

The Landing Pad Residency is based out of a premier coworking space in Silicon Valley, California. Since the Valley stands as a core epicentre of U.S. tech innovation and investment, with a wealth of tech hubs, resources, and talent spanning corporates, universities, and startups, it’s the obvious choice for the initial base of operations for our cohorts. This vibrant region offers unmatched access to numerous expert tech expansion mentors and advisors, as well as investors and Aussie founders who have already successfully navigated the U.S. market. By immersing participants in this dynamic ecosystem, the Residency leverages Silicon Valley’s unparalleled concentration of industry knowledge, resources, networking opportunities, and cutting-edge infrastructure to accelerate U.S. expansion.

The 3-month Accelerator requires at least one full-time founder to commit to 6-8 hours per week of in-person attendance during the program. These hours cover workshops, standups, and interactive sessions in the Melbourne CBD, plus live-streamed sessions from U.S. and Australian experts. Beyond this, founders and their teams will likely need considerable additional time to develop the recommended strategies, operational plans, playbooks, and preparatory resources for optimum U.S. expansion. This in-person and collaborative team effort ensures comprehensive preparation across all program elements.

The 3-month Silicon Valley Landing Pad Residency has no obligatory commitments. Participation in the various mentorship, advisor meetings, investor introductions, networking events, and pitch sessions is optional, though strongly encouraged to maximise value and boost U.S. expansion success. Founders can tailor their involvement to their startup’s needs, leveraging the coworking space and expert access as much as desired.

The Accelerator operates on a fee-for-service basis with no equity taken, providing a non-dilutive alternative to traditional funding-for-equity models. The value of this 3-month program far exceeds the investment through a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind U.S. expansion readiness curriculum delivered by expert mentors, advisors, and investors with deep U.S. market experience. Participants also gain access to over AUD $50,000 in partner perks to enhance operational capabilities and reduce costs, culminating in the opportunity to present to Australian and U.S. investors, mentors, and advisors, maximising your startup’s readiness for successful U.S. expansion.

Likewise, the Landing Pad Residency, based out of a premier coworking space in the heart of Silicon Valley, is offered on a fee-for-service basis with no equity stake or dilution. Additionally, although we can assist with logistics and discounts where possible, participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, food, and other ancillary expenses for the duration of the 3-month program. However, the core value significantly outweighs the investment. This includes 24/7 access to the coworking spaces, unparalleled engagement with local expert globalisation mentors, advisors, investors, and supporters, as well as regular networking events with these professionals and fellow Australian startup founders. Participants also retain access to their initial AUD $50,000 in partner perks. These offerings collectively provide participating startups with substantial resources and support to ensure a successful U.S. market entry.

If you’re an Australian high-growth, tech-driven startup or scale-up seeking a comprehensive program to optimally prepare for U.S. expansion, and your company aligns with our suitability guidelines, commitment requirements, and recommended tech sectors, we invite you to apply. The process starts by Contacting Us to request an application form, where you’ll provide details about your startup, including evidence of suitability (e.g., product/solution strength, defensibility, scalability, U.S. market potential, current market traction, and founder, operational, and financial readiness). Our team reviews submissions to assess fit, shortlisting applicants for an interview with our program coordinators or mentors, followed by final selections. We aim to respond within two weeks of submission, keeping you informed throughout.

If you have more questions about the Accelerator or Landing Pad Residency, we’re hosting an upcoming in-person and online Info Session, which you can register for below. Alternatively, you can reach out by Contacting Us directly, and we’ll be happy to assist you promptly. Thank you.