Every growth company’s instinct is to seek new markets, business opportunities and business partners. As the largest economy and the biggest consumer market in the world, the U.S. has a strong appeal. To help companies enter the U.S. market, Nordea will now offer its customers the opportunity to work with the dynamic Launchpad USA program.

Nordea has signed a year-long agreement with Amcham Finland’s Launchpad USA program. Launchpad USA offers business assistance in entering the U.S. market based on real-life experience, practical know-how and insight into the market. Launchpad USA has successfully helped nearly one hundred businesses from the Nordics and Baltics to prepare and establish themselves in the U.S. market. Recently, the program has also been established in Croatia and Jamaica.

Launchpad USA’s successful program is based on drawing up company-specific plans, which take into consideration networks and a concrete step-by-step process for each of the necessary stages in setting up a business in the U.S. market. During the partnership period, Nordea is offering Launchpad USA’s services to fifteen clients that are interested in receiving guidance in entering the U.S. market. The profile of these companies varies in terms of size, industry and maturity, but they are all interested in expanding to the U.S. market.

“Entrepreneurs interested in strong growth and internationalization tend to also be interested in the possibilities the U.S. market offers. In the future, we want to continue being the leading export financer and partner in foreign trade consultancy for Finnish companies. In addition to developing our own know-how, we invest in services from external partners that bring our clients direct contacts in their destinations,” says Sampsa Laine, who oversees Nordea’s small-to-medium businesses.

“The reasons for entering the U.S. market are plentiful,” says Mike Klyszeiko, the Director of the Launchpad USA program, “but the common reasons are the stability and diversity of the overall market, which offers many foreign companies’ business strong growth potential. Private equity and, in particular, venture capital investments, remain strong. Also, initial public offers (IPOs) and mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are forecasted to rise, which only increases the attractiveness for growth companies.”

“Efficient market entry with minimized wasted money, time or opportunities is the goal of our advisory work,” Klyszeiko continues. “Understanding where your product fits into the U.S. market, how it can be differentiated from competitors, and what your channels to your customers are is a critical first step for companies entering the U.S. Thorough planning and company support networks are also critical to successful entry.”

Exports, internationalization and the possibilities these bring are highlighted as key contributors to Finland’s economic growth. Nordea wishes to support businesses at their various stages of development with professional skills, a wide array of services and a global network. The goal is that the possibilities of internationalization may be advanced and realized in a diverse and strong manner.

“It’s great to work with a founding member of Amcham Finland and a trusted Nordic presence to make a difference in up-and-coming companies’ journey to the U.S.,” says Kristiina Helenius, C.E.O. of Amcham Finland. “Understanding the market environment, including economic or political changes, is important, and we work actively to share that insight within our international business network.”

Contacts:

Sampsa Laine
Executive Vice President, Head of Business Banking Finland at Nordea
+358 40 555 9035

Mike Klyszeiko
Director, Launchpad USA program
mike.klyszeiko@amcham.fi
+358 45 140 4911

Kristiina Helenius
C.E.O., Amcham Finland

About Launchpad USA:
Launchpad USA is a platform that supports the market entry and growth of foreign enterprises in the U.S. market by providing company-specific information and connections. Launchpad USA is an Amcham Finland program and available to members of Amcham and select companies through official partners to the program. More: https://launchpadusa.org/

About Amcham Finland:
Amcham Finland is an international business-to-business network that helps inbound investors access Finland and outbound growth companies succeed in global markets. It is an independent, non-governmental, member-funded and not-for-profit organization with about 400 member companies headquartered in 21 different countries and representing 20 industries. Its mission is to make Finland a more globally savvy and connected market. Amcham Finland was founded in 2005. More: https://amcham.fi/about/