Silicon Valley continues to attract an extraordinary concentration of technology, talent, venture capital, customers, and global ambition. 

For Nordic startups and scaleups, engaging with this ecosystem can open significant opportunities, but meaningful international expansion requires far more than a temporary presence or a series of investor meetings.

Founders need to understand how the market operates, build trusted local relationships, validate demand, communicate their ambition, and determine whether the US is genuinely the right next step for their company.

There is also a broader ecosystem opportunity. The knowledge, networks, and insights developed in Silicon Valley can strengthen not only individual companies, but also Sweden’s and the Nordic region’s ability to build globally competitive businesses.

Join us for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Moa Persdotter, Head of Startup Ecosystem Relations at Vinnova’s outpost at Nordic Innovation House Silicon Valley.

Based in Palo Alto, Moa represents Vinnova and Sweden in one of the world’s most influential innovation ecosystems. Her work focuses on startup and ecosystem relations, connecting Swedish innovators with relevant networks, programs, investors, customers, and intermediaries in Silicon Valley. Nordic Innovation House Silicon Valley supports Nordic companies through community, local networks, workspace, events, and market-entry programs. Its role is to help Nordic startups explore product-market fit, build international relationships, meet customers and investors, and prepare for global expansion.

In this fireside chat, we will explore:

• What should founders validate before committing significant time and capital to international expansion?
• When is a startup genuinely ready to explore the US market?
• How can Nordic startups build meaningful relationships with US investors, customers, and partners?
• How should Nordic companies communicate their ambition and competitive advantage in the US?
• What common mistakes do international founders make when entering Silicon Valley?
• What role can Vinnova and Nordic Innovation House play in helping companies navigate global opportunities?
• How can knowledge and relationships developed in Silicon Valley flow back into Sweden’s innovation ecosystem?
• What can Nordic founders learn from the ambition, speed, and scale of Silicon Valley?
• What should the Nordics preserve from their own innovation culture while adopting a more global mindset?
• How can stronger bridges between Nordic and international ecosystems create lasting value?

This conversation will examine international expansion not only as a company-building challenge, but also as an ecosystem-building opportunity. We will discuss how trusted intermediaries can help founders understand local expectations, identify the right opportunities, and build relationships that extend beyond a single program or visit.

Who should attend: Startup and scaleup founders exploring the US market, investors, accelerators, incubators, innovation agencies, corporate innovation leaders, university and research commercialization teams, policymakers, public-sector representatives, and ecosystem builders working to connect Nordic innovation with global opportunities.

The session will be moderated by Naimul Abd, Regional Director Nordics at Startup Grind, CEO of Connect Öst, CEO and Co-Founder of SweBAN, Founder of Nutty Ventures, and Nordic lead for Founder Institute and Founders Live.