The International Business Accelerator presented the SoCal version of the Global Innovation Forum’s Startup Global event in a six-part series.
Startup Global SoCal provides technical advice to small and early-stage companies interested in growing their businesses by expanding into international markets. Startup Global SoCal virtually offers international trade training and resources covering the most pressing issues startups face while growing their businesses globally. This series features small businesses and expert speakers from the Southern California region, but all interested businesses can benefit.
Along with the International Business Accelerator, presenting partners include the US Commercial Service, Loyola Marymount University, the US International Trade Administration, the Milken Institute and the Los Angeles Venture Association’s Global Community.
Session 1
The first session of Startup Global SoCal featured entrepreneurs and trade experts discussing the best solutions to navigate changing international market conditions.
Event Speakers
- André Leb, Senior Vice President of Global Markets, Prodege
- Aaron Melaas, Associate Director of the Center for Regional Economics, Milken Institute
- Christine Peterson, Director of International Trade & Investment, Office of the Mayor, City of Los Angeles
- Paul Disselkoen, Senior Associate of Government Relations, PayPal
- Jake Colvin, Executive Director, Global Innovation Forum
- Paul Disselkoen, Government Relations, PayPal
- Jake Colvin, Executive Director, Global Innovation Forum
Resources
The City of LA Business Portal — All of the information you need to plan, start, manage, and grow your business in the city of Los Angeles. Learn More
New-to-Export 101 — A Milken Institute program designed to increase U.S. exports by simplifying the process. Learn More
Global Seller Program — Paypal’s guide to planning for international growth. Learn More
Vital Voices — A global network and accelerator program for women business owners. Learn More
International Business Accelerator — The first business acceleration program in the US with a cross-border focus. Learn More
Session 2
The second session of Startup Global SoCal explored the funding and financing tools and resources available to help small businesses grow globally.
Event Speakers
- Brad Read, President, TIG/m
- Richard Swanson, Senior Advisor, US Commercial Service
- Tracy Gray, Founder & Managing Partner, The 22 Fund
- Erik Rettig, Sr. Manager, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Intuit
- Robert Saikali, VP & Manager International Banking, City National Bank
- Eugene Cornelius, Senior Director, Center for Regional Economics and California Center, Milken
- s and California Center, Milken
Resources
Export Financing Options Overview — Commercial banks, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, U.S. Small Business Administration, and U.S. Department of Agriculture all have export financing programs available to help small businesses export. Learn More
EXIM’s Multi-Buyer Credit Insurance — A policy from the Export–Import Bank of the United States that protects small business exporter’s accounts receivable and enables the confidence necessary to enter new markets, increase sales in existing ones, and chart a path forward with margins they can depend on. Learn More
SBA Export Financing Programs — The U.S. Small Business Administration has financing options to help you take your small business global. Learn More
Federal Trade Commission — An independent agency of the United States government whose principal mission is the enforcement of civil U.S. antitrust law and the promotion of consumer protection. Learn More
The 22 Fund — A social impact, growth venture capital and advisory firm with a job creation mission to increase the export capacity of Southern California. Learn More
Intuit QuickBooks Capital — Small business loans from $5,000 — $100,000, with zero fees. Rates from 9.99% to 32% APR. Learn More
City National Bank’s Export Working Capital Line of Credit — Provides U.S. exporters with the working capital to produce U.S.-originated goods or services for export, accept new business and compete more effectively in the international marketplace.
Session 2
The third session of Startup Global SoCal featured first-hand experiences from an entrepreneur and trade experts to explore how companies can grow their business globally via e-commerce.
- Emilio Smeke, Founder & CEO, Daily Concepts
- Terri Batch, Sr. International Trade Specialist, E-commerce Innovation Lab of the US Commercial Service
- Joshua Aiken, Cheif of Staff, Zonos
- Josh Halpern, Chairman of the Getting to Global Initiative & Chief Strategy Officer, California International Trade Center
- Jamaica Gayle, Deputy Director, Global Innovation Forum
- Kevin Klowden, Executive Director & Managing Economist, Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and California Center
Resources
Country Commercial Guides — Market conditions, opportunities, regulations and business customs for more than 70 major markets, prepared by International Trade Administration professionals at U.S. embassies worldwide. Learn More
California International Trade Center — Free support, resources, and training for small to help mid-sized businesses increase cross-border online sales. Learn More
California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) — Assistance for small businesses beginning to export and assistance to companies expanding exports to new markets. Learn More
California STEP Individual Company Export Promotion (ICEP) Program — A subprogram of California STEP designed to reimburse eligible California small businesses up to $5,000 USD for eligible export promotion-related expenses. Learn More
Export Connect — A platform that aggregates all the experts, service providers, resources, tools, and expertise small and medium businesses need to achieve faster and successful growth abroad. Learn More
SimilarWeb — All-in-one website analytics & competitive intelligence platform. Learn More
Zonos — Technology, plugins, apps and APIs to help companies sell and ship globally. Learn More
Session 4
The fourth session of Startup Global SoCal featured first-hand experiences from an entrepreneur and trade experts to explore the tools that companies can take advantage of to expand and pursue new opportunities globally.
Event Speakers
- Erin Beck, Founder & CEO, Wana
- Stephen Cheung, President, World Trade Organization Los Angeles & Chief Operating Officer, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
- Dayle Smith, Ph.D, Dean, College of Business Administration Loyola Marymount University
- Richard Swanson, Senior Advisor, U.S. Commercial Service
- Vincent Iacopella, Executive Vice President Growth & Strategy, Alba Wheels Up International Inc.
- Carlos Gimenez, Consul for Economic Affairs, Mexican Consulate, Los Angeles
Resources
Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA)— A founder-meets-funder organization that provides forums where entrepreneurs actively meet and learn from investors, executives, investors, bankers, financial advisors and other providers of professional services in their journey to investment. Also has a Global LAVA community. Learn More
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — A 21st century, high standard trade agreement supporting mutually beneficial trade resulting in freer markets, fairer trade and robust economic growth in North America. Learn More
ITA E-Commerce Resources — Exporting resources for your e-commerce sales channels, for both retail and industrial alike that sell or promote brand awareness online. Learn More
USMCA Chapter on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises — USMCA marks the first time a U.S. free trade agreement includes a stand-alone chapter on SMEs. Learn More
District Export Council of Southern California — The SoCal chapter of District Export Councils (DECs) — organizations of local business leaders, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms. Learn More
Session 5
The fifth session of Startup Global SoCal featured lessons from current and former intellectual property lawyers to explore the legal issues that small businesses need to be aware of as they grow their businesses globally.
Event Speakers
- Deborah Greaves, Partner at Withers Bergman LLP, Withers Worldwide
- Tricia Van Orden, Deputy Director, Trade Promotion and Coordinating Committee, International Trade Administration
- Brian Peck, Director, Transnational Law & Business Center and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, USC Gould School of Law
- Raquel Cohen, Senior IP & Trade Policy Attorney, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Lori Kozak, Partner, Co-Chair Trademark Practice Group, Fox Rothschild
Resources
StopFakes — Intellectual property rights information & assistance to help you protect your innovations and safely market products at home and overseas. Learn More
U.S. Special 301 Report — An annual analysis of bad trade actors for intellectual property protection. Learn More
Help CBP Protect Intellectual Property Rights — U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) e-recordation program allows trademark and copyright owners to obtain border enforcement of their intellectual property rights. Learn More
Free Trade Agreements — The United States has free trade agreements in force with 20 countries. Learn More
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — As an agency of the United Nations, WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. Learn More
Madrid Protocol— The International Trademark System — A convenient and cost-effective solution for registering and managing trademarks worldwide. Learn More
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) — Enables patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of a large number of countries by filing an “international” patent application. Learn More
Notorious Markets List Report (2019) — Highlights prominent and illustrative examples of online and physical markets that reportedly engage in or facilitate substantial piracy or counterfeiting. Learn More
Session 6
The sixth and final session of Startup Global SoCal provides a “deep dive” into the public & private sector resources available to help startups and small businesses go global and presents solutions to creating an export plan.
Event Speakers
- Michael McClune, the International Business Accelerator (Moderator)
- Chris Lynch, Founder, International Business Accelerator
- Dr. Ray Bowman, Director, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County
- Veronica San Luis, International Growth Project Manager, Americas, Google
Resources
International Business Accelerator — A business acceleration program catapulting startups and high-growth companies into cross-border growth and profits. A concierge to public sector, private sector, academia and policy experts for US and foreign companies. Learn More
International Partner Search — A service from the International Trade Administration that provides U.S. companies with a list of up to five partners/distributors that have expressed an interest in the client’s goods/services. Learn More
Search For Your Harmonized Code (Schedule B Number) — Find the 10-digit number used in the U.S. to classify physical goods for export to another country. Learn More
U.S. Census Bureau Trade Statistics — The official source for U.S. export and import statistics and responsible for issuing regulations governing the reporting of all export shipments from the United States. Learn More
UK’s Department for International Trade — Provides trade and investment services and practical support to help UK companies succeed in the USA, and US companies set up and invest in the UK. Learn More
London & Partners — The international trade, investment and promotion agency for London. Learn More
Google’s Market Finder — A free Google tool to identify new potential markets, discover helpful operational information and start selling to customers at home and around the world. Learn More and Watch the Explainer Video
Google for Startups — A startup program with helpful tools and best practices to help early-stage companies get off the ground. Learn More
Grow with Google — Free digital training courses and tools to help your startup or small business adapt, grow, and better serve your community. Resources for Startups & Small Businesses
Google Trends — Analyzes the popularity of top search queries in Google Search across various regions and languages. Learn More
What is Startup Global SoCal?
Startup Global SoCal provides technical advice to small and early-stage companies interested in growing their businesses by expanding into international markets. Startup Global SoCal virtually offers international trade training and resources covering the most pressing issues startups face while growing their businesses globally. This series will feature small businesses and expert speakers from the Southern California region, but all interested businesses are welcome to participate.
Hosted by:
With support from The US Small Business Administration’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Crowell Moring, Los Angeles Urban League, the Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, the World Trade Center Los Angeles, the Government of Mexico, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, New Economics for Women, Los Angeles Regional Export Council and all the small businesses making Los Angeles the leading market for thriving international business.
For more information, introductions to any of the expert participants or inquiries about how to thrive in global marketplace contact the International Business Accelerator via www.IBA.io.
