Coming to America

Coming to the America
Julia French & Martin Wells

Overview
Cultural differences
Yes, even though we’re both English speaking countries
Ecosystem
Know the players
Who are you?
What do you want; why are you here?

Cultural differences
Coming to America

An Entrepreneur

Positives
Put your business model on the first slide. You actually have proven business models, many people looking for funding don’t
Emotional intelligence tends to be higher (use it)
General impression of Aussies is fun and likeable (if not always taken seriously)
Marketing and web materials typically higher quality
Pub culture - tend to be polite, adaptable and group focused

Negatives
Not understanding the “no obligation conversation”
Slow and passive
Company and personal presentation
Dotting every i
Treating investors as though they are bankers

The “no obligation conversation”
It’s a learning culture
Meet often
Understand that conversations do not lead to business or a deal every time
Come asking for what you want – they’ll probably know someone
Permission to walk away

Speed - An Email Exchange
e-mail – this is a fast paced culture
You do not have 2 days to get back to people, you have 20 minutes
Speed is critical
In your messaging focus on who, what, when, where and why?
Then what are you offering and what do you want?
Know the coffee shops so you have a place to meet

Company and Personal Presentation
Business isn’t as formal (we’re British)
Americans talk about themselves - get across your wins
Talking about yourself is a good thing
Directness and sharing leads to getting the help you need; and there’s a lot of help available

You don’t need to dot every i
Giving the impression you have to have every problem solved can seem suspicious
Sometimes Aussie companies are so well organized it seems suspicious.
Provide the ‘we are Australian’ context so that people can understand where you are coming from.
If they can’t map you; you fail.

Valley investors aren’t Aussie bankers
Investors understand the startup process –it’s way more than a financial transaction
You are going to work very, very closely together, so you had better like each other. Personal relationships matter
Networks matter
History matters

The ECOSYSTEM
Coming to America

How the Valley Works

In the US, an Entrepreneur is a respected part of something big

Why are you here?
Coming to America

Be clear…
Be clear about what you want and why you are here
Moving is distracting and expensive
And sometimes it’s not the right thing

Coming to America

by Martin Wells on Sep 12, 2011

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