Koffman Soft Landing Webinar Recap: Opportunities for International Startups Expanding into the US
Opportunities for International Startups Expanding into the US
Speaker: Bandhana Katoch, Executive Director of Koffman Incubator, delivered valuable insights about the Koffman Soft Landing Program and how it helps international businesses break into the U.S. market.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Koffman Incubator Overview: The Koffman Incubator offers 35,000 square feet of startup space, including dry and wet labs, co-working areas, private offices, and an event center, opened in 2017 with over 65 member companies.
Economic Impact: The incubator's programs have created a significant economic impact, generating approximately $500 million and creating over 675 full-time jobs.
Clean Energy Focus: The Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator (SCI) supports startups globally in building a sustainable future, focusing on climate tech solutions such as solar energy storage, carbon reduction, and waste heat capture.
Soft Landing Program: This program assists foreign companies in evaluating and entering the U.S. market by providing free programming, mentorship, and student assistance, backed by a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Key Programs: The Koffman Incubator offers various unique programs, including the NSF I-Corps program, which helps startups connect with customers and de-risk their innovation pathways, and the SDG17 Business Accelerator, focusing on sustainability.
International Participation: The incubator has welcomed 54 foreign startups from 32 countries across five continents through its Soft Landing Program, with sectors including clean energy, food and agriculture, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.
Companies at TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 3-4 with prototypes, though earlier-stage innovations are also considered.
More Takeaways from the Webinar
What Koffman Looks for in Startups
The Soft Landing Program is tailored to support companies that have reached a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3-4, which means they should ideally have a working prototype suited for the U.S. market. However, Koffman also considers earlier-stage companies if they demonstrate strong innovation potential.Technology Readiness Levels: TRL is a metric used to assess the maturity of a particular technology. A TRL of 3-4 indicates that a company has a functioning prototype but has yet to enter large-scale testing or commercialization. Koffman provides guidance to help companies at this stage fine-tune their offerings for U.S. expansion.
International Success Stories
During the webinar, Katoch highlighted several international companies that have successfully scaled in the U.S. through the Soft Landing Program. One standout example is Airofresh, an Australian startup specializing in air purification technology designed to reduce spoilage in perishable goods. With support from Koffman, Airofresh managed to pilot its technology in collaboration with Walmart and Con Edison. This partnership enabled Airofresh to access key markets and gain a foothold in the U.S.Read more about Airofresh’s success story here.
Support for Grant Writing
One unique feature of the Soft Landing Program is its comprehensive support for securing funding. Koffman provides access to grant writers who can assist companies in crafting high-quality applications for U.S. grants. This includes three rounds of review and guidance through the budgeting process, a common challenge for federal grant applicants. Koffman also offers $3,000 towards grant writing services, further enhancing startups’ chances of securing funding.Visa and Housing Support
International founders often ask about visas and housing when relocating to the U.S. through Koffman. For visa assistance, Koffman provides a letter of invitation to help companies apply for a B1 visitor visa, which is typically used for short-term visits and "testing the waters" before committing to long-term visas like the L1 visa.In terms of housing, while the Soft Landing Program does not currently offer on-campus dorms, Koffman has established connections with local apartment owners and management companies to assist international founders in finding accommodations during their stay.
Questions Answered in the Webinar
What stage should a startup be at to apply?
Koffman prefers companies with a validated business model or prototype, but earlier-stage startups are also welcome. Companies should ideally be at TRL 3 or 4 for optimal program outcomes.Do you offer housing and visa support for international founders?
Koffman offers assistance with B1 visas and can provide letters of invitation to help with visa applications. Housing is facilitated through connections with local property owners.
Next Steps for Startups
If you're a startup founder with a groundbreaking innovation looking to enter the U.S. market, the Koffman Soft Landing Program could be the boost you need. From grant writing assistance to strategic connections with major U.S. corporations, this program is designed to help international startups thrive.
Watch the full webinar and hear all the insightful questions and answers on YouTube here.
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