We connect global innovators to local expertise to secure a seamless transition into the U.S. marketplace.

Located in Frederick, Maryland, our program offers the unparalleled blend of strategic location, cutting-edge resources, access to FITCI’s proven entrepreneurial programming, and a collaborative environment conductive to innovation and business growth. Whether you are a startup seeking a foothold in the U.S. market or an established company looking to expand your operations, our program provides the resources and support you need to succeed.

Let us show you how we’re Enabling Development and Growth for Entrepreneurs.

FITCI’s mission is to foster innovation and support entrepreneurial success by providing world-class resources, coaching, connections, customers, and a vibrant community. Welcoming companies to Frederick, MD, aligns perfectly with this mission as we work to bridge the gap between global innovators and the U.S. market. By leveraging our diverse community, CEO Roundtables, and Frederick’s thriving business and social ecosystems, we aim to facilitate successful U.S. entry while promoting collaboration, growth, and innovation.

To support companies looking to expand into the U.S., FITCI offers a tailored Soft-Landing Program that draws on our established resources, strategic partnerships, and local expertise. Click through below for an overview of the support and services provided:

Integration into FITCI’s Base Camp Community

Access to BaseCamp: Companies will gain full access to our 4,500 sqft BaseCamp, home to a diverse community of entrepreneurs, business professionals, and strategic partners. This offers invaluable networking opportunities and access to shared resources, including coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces.
Collaboration Opportunities: Explore partnerships with local incubators, research centers, and development facilities to accelerate your product or service’s U.S. introduction.
Local Connections: FITCI facilitates connections with local networks and industry-specific groups to help your company gain credibility and expand its presence in the U.S. market.
Ambassadors Introduction: Our community ambassadors, who are well-connected in the region, will introduce you to key networking events and opportunities, helping to accelerate your company’s local integration.

CEO Roundtables for Strategic Guidance

Streamlined Advice: FITCI will assemble a team of experienced CEOs to kick off a plan for your company to expand into the US. These roundtable sessions allow entrepreneurs to engage with seasoned CEOs, discuss market strategies, and refine business approaches. Focus areas will include:
- U.S. market entry strategies.
- Scaling and growth strategies.
- Navigating regulatory and distribution channels in the U.S.
- Any other topic needed.

Tailored Support for Specific Projects

Every company is different, so these are just some examples:

Product Development and Distribution:
- Leverage local facilities for product preparation, packaging, and distribution.
- Explore partnerships with local delivery services to ensure seamless distribution to customers across the U.S.
Marketing and Community Engagement:
- Utilize FITCI’s marketing resources to craft targeted campaigns that resonate with U.S. consumers.
- Host industry-specific seminars or webinars to build brand awareness and community engagement.
Partnerships with Labs and Research Institutions:
- Connect with local labs, universities, and practitioners for product testing, health evaluations, and ongoing studies to support the efficacy of your offering.

Long-Term Growth Strategy

Regulatory and Compliance Support:
- Provide expert guidance on navigating U.S. regulatory requirements for your industry, whether tech, health, manufacturing, or services.
- Introduce you to FITCI’s legal and compliance partners for further assistance.
Scaling and Expansion:
- Identify new markets, customer segments, and funding sources for your product or service.
- Facilitate introductions to potential investors, partners, and customers through FITCI’s extensive network.

Additional FITCI Services

AI-Powered Sales Strategy and Execution - Utilize AI tools and strategies to establish a scalable, efficient sales process tailored to your business. Services include sales pipeline setup, lead scoring, predictive insights, and training to integrate AI into your sales operations.
Marketing Strategy and Execution - Foundational support to establish your brand and engage your target audience. Services include branding basics, digital campaign templates, content creation, and analytics.
Executive Strategy Services - High-level guidance to align initial business goals with market opportunities. Services include strategic planning, market positioning, and growth pathway guidance.
Funding and Grant Application Support - Assistance identifying funding opportunities and navigating the grant application process. This includes pitch preparation, grant writing guidance, and support identifying relevant investors.
Business Model Validation - Foundational analysis and feedback to ensure your business model aligns with market needs, including business plan review, scalability evaluation, and market fit insights.
Networking Facilitation - Curated introductions to potential investors, industry roundtable access, and strategic connection plans to help you expand your professional network.
CRM Implementation and Optimization - Initial setup and training for customer relationship management systems, including integration with workflows and system functionality training.

Frederick, MD, offers a unique combination of resources, location, culture, and community appeal that makes it the perfect spot for U.S. expansion:

Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: FITCI’s resources, including mentorship, strategic support, and access to capital, create a nurturing environment for businesses. With a 93% success rate among FITCI members, our entrepreneurial community is built for growth.
Access to Talent and Partners: Frederick’s proximity to leading research institutions, healthcare providers, and universities ensures your company has access to the talent and partnerships needed for success.
Quality of Life: Frederick offers an excellent quality of life, including a vibrant downtown, strong schools, and proximity to major metropolitan areas, making it an attractive base for both business and living.

Statewide Momentum:

Rated 1^st in Tech Workforce Growth
15,660 IT businesses
#1 – Federal Obligations for R&D
#1 – STEM Concentration
#3 – Technology & Science Workforce
Access to 1/3 of the U.S. population within a day’s drive
1 hour drive to 3 international airports
Top research universities
Federal agencies and research labs (including Fort Detrick, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research/Leidos Biomed)
Northern anchor of the DC i270 Tech Corridor
Over 100 biotech companies, including AstraZeneca Biopharma

Frederick, a great place to work and live:

Largest growth rate in Maryland
Unemployment 1.9%
43.6% of residents have a Bachelor’s Degree of higher
Triple-A (AAA) bond rating
Hiring and training support through Frederick Workforce Services
Robust workforce-talent pipeline
Tax exemptions, credits, and Federal Opportunity Zones
Fast-track permitting and regional resources

We are a proud partner in Maryland's Global Gateway Soft Landing Program.

The Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program provides international companies with the opportunity to test out the U.S. market at an affordable rate. Soft Landing program partners provide participating companies with access to facilities, resources, advisors, and more. Eligible companies can also receive funding towards physical, programmatic, and other costs associated with market entry. To see if you qualify for Maryland’ Soft Landing program and learn more, visit https://business.maryland.gov/information-for/foreign-businesses/

What the companies are saying

As we began to explore expansion, we knew we needed to take the next step but weren’t sure how. FITCI provided us with invaluable insights into what resources we were missing and what steps we needed to take to grow. Through their Soft-Landing Program, we identified key areas where we needed support, including finding like-minded partners and companies to fill in the gaps and help us scale to a broader market. FITCI’s guidance gave us the confidence to move forward with a clear strategy.

What ultimately set FITCI apart was the culture they foster. The supportive, collaborative environment at FITCI made all the difference. It wasn’t just about the resources—it was about aligning with a community that truly understood our vision and was dedicated to helping us succeed. Partnering with FITCI has been a game-changer for us, and we’re excited about the future ahead.

PRONAV Clinical

Ireland

Regarding why we decided on FITCI and the region, I’d say the main reasons were

We needed a presence in the US to better serve our customers (overnight shipping, same timezone support, etc)
FITCI stood out as a modern concept where we could easily lease ready-to-go lab spaces ; the atrium and shared lobby space as a big bonus! Basically a place where we also see ourselves working in 2024
Travel time and direct flight availability from Geneva to Dulles so our people can easily travel back & forth
Proximity to local (non-ivy league) colleges that offer relevant programs for the kind of people we need (eg lab technicians etc)

And obviously your enthusiasm on explaining all of your plans and motivations when we first arrived on site!

Alithea Genomics

Switzerland

FITCI International Soft Landing Program

Where Entrepreneurs Land to Expand: Our Soft-Landing Vision and Programs

Program Overview