U.S. Market Discovery
Tech at Startup Grind
Accelerate your U.S. entry with targeted support and gain the right connections at Startup Grind 2026.
Remote | San Francisco, California
A structured program for German tech startups combining expert preparation with direct access to the San Francisco and Silicon Valley startup ecosystem.
Turn Startup Grind Access into Real U.S. Market Momentum
The U.S. can unlock massive upside for tech startups — but showing up without clear positioning and a targeted connection strategy often leads to wasted time, shallow conversations, and missed opportunities.
U.S. Market Discovery Tech helps you validate demand, refine your go-to-market approach, get you conference-ready, and build meaningful relationships with customers, partners, and ecosystem players — using Startup Grind Conference as a high-density entry point into the Bay Area innovation network, including the opportunity to exhibit and gain direct visibility with customers, partners, and investors.
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What You Get
U.S. Market Positioning & Validation
Pressure-test your value proposition and use cases with U.S. market context, so you can focus on what resonates — and drop what doesn’t.
Direct Access to Startup Grind & the Bay Area Ecosystem
Get structured access to founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem players around Startup Grind — designed to help you identify the right partners and accelerate relevant conversations.
Conference-Ready Execution
Prepare strategically for Startup Grind with a focus on networking culture, outreach, and the opportunity to exhibit at the conference — so your time on site translates into outcomes, not just activity.
Expert Feedback & Next-Step Clarity
Receive targeted mentor input (e.g., pitch refinement and pipeline strategy) and leave with clear priorities for what to pursue next in the U.S.
Walk Away With Clear Outcomes
A validated go-to-market strategy
A sharpened U.S.-ready value proposition and pitch, tested with real market feedback
A curated set of U.S. contacts across customers, partners, and ecosystem players
Clear insights into who to talk to, how to position, and what to prioritize next
Is This Program Right for You?
German-incorporated startup (UG, AG, GmbH, GmbH & Co. KG; others case-by-case)
Established MVP and early commercial traction
Strong team committed to international expansion
Companies building tech solutions
Program Snapshot
Onboarding & Preparation
In the weeks leading up to Startup Grind, startups complete a short preparation phase designed to sharpen positioning, plan outreach, and define the highest-value targets for the conference. The goal is to arrive with a clear strategy.
Immersion Week at Startup Grind in San Francisco
Participate in curated ecosystem touchpoints and structured networking to connect with founders, investors, and partners in one of the world’s most influential tech hubs during Startup Grind.
After the Program
Consolidate insights and feedback from the U.S. market and translate them into clear next steps. Participants leave with a grounded understanding of their U.S. opportunity and guidance whether and how to continue with deeper market engagement.
Upcoming Cohort
Location:
Remote | San Francisco, California
Online Preperation:
March 23 - 27, 2026
Immersion Week
April 27 - May 1, 2026
Application Deadline:
March 16, 2026
Format:
Workshops, Panel Discussions, Networking
Cost:
€500 per startup
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The Process
From application to Startup Grind — your path into the U.S. ecosystem
Submit Your Application
Apply with your pitch deck and key information about your startup, including your product, traction, and interest in exploring the U.S. market. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Selection Process
Our team evaluates applications and conducts rolling interviews. Selected startups receive confirmation and next steps as soon as decisions are made, allowing teams to plan early for the program and Startup Grind.
Get Ready
Join the onboarding phase, prepare strategically for the Startup Grind conference, and take part in targeted workshops on U.S. market culture, networking, and conference execution. You’ll also have access to 1:1 mentor sessions with our experts for pitch review and conference pipeline planning.
Experience Startup Grind & Build Connections
Participate in Startup Grind in San Francisco, connect with relevant ecosystem players, potential partners, and fellow founders, and use the immersion week to validate your positioning, build relationships, and gain concrete insights for your U.S. market journey.
What Previous Program Participants Say
Do You Have Any Questions?