June 7-11, 2021

2022 Investment Summit Overview Agenda

Stay tuned for continuous updates to the 2022 Investment Summit agenda.

Global Market Dynamics | SelectUSA Tech | Select Global Women in Tech | Industry Spotlight | Programming for EDOs | SelectUSA Investor Guide | Finding Your Workforce | U.S. Government Programming

Global Market Dynamics

The Global Market Dynamics Investment Academy sessions and Plenary discussions will examine key trends in global trade and investment. Senior U.S. government officials, executives of multinational corporations and industry experts will shed light on pressing topics such as the future of work, the innovation economy, supply chain optimization, and implications of multilateral trade agreements. The Investment Summit will also feature regional and market-specific programming for more targeted educational and networking opportunities. Sessions in the Global Market Dynamics track will include:

Shipping and Logistics
Moving your products from the factory floor to store shelves is a critical aspect of doing business. Companies often face many shipping and logistical challenges connected to storage, weight, distance, transportation mode, customs, tariffs, supply chains, assembly points, and more. Every region and country has its own unique rules, regulations, and unwritten norms on how they conduct business, and the United States is no exception. This panel will cover the factors companies must consider when doing business in the U.S.

Supply Chain
Changing technology, fluctuating supply costs, and unpredictable economic factors contribute to the growing complexity of supply chains. As companies are established and/or expand, there is increased demand for Supply Chain Management knowledge and the critical role of supply chains to business success. The United States needs resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains to ensure our economic success. Panelists will provide knowledge to improve companies’ performance and competitive position within the U.S. domestic supply chain market.

U.S. Renewable Energy Market
The U.S. consumed a record amount of renewable energy in 2020, demonstrating the importance of this form of energy generation. In 2020, renewable energy made up 12% of the country’s total energy consumption. This panel will help companies understand how the U.S. renewable energy market is organized and its projected growth over time thanks to decarbonization plans.

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SelectUSA Tech

SelectUSA Tech Investment Academy sessions are designed for early-stage and startup technology companies interested in landing in the United States. SelectUSA Tech sessions will explore investment trends and opportunities in emerging technology such as 5G, commercial space, energy storage, MedTech, semiconductors, smart city technology, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). SelectUSA Tech programming at the Investment Summit will also include pitching sessions organized by subsector, as well as workshops for entrepreneurs on how to make an effective pitch, fundraise, and scale in the United States. This year’s program will also include the launch of a new series of programming feature sessions specifically geared towards female founders in tech, which fits under the Select Global Women in Tech banner (see the next section below).

Alternative Paths to Fundraising in Tech
In addition to advanced financial markets and “traditional” sources of fundraising, tech startups operating in the U.S. have a wide variety of alternative paths to funding their business growth. This panel will discuss just some of these routes, including public sector funding opportunities at both the federal and state/local levels, as well as other organizations (such as accelerators) and programs that can provide access to the funds a tech startup needs to penetrate and grow in the U.S. market.

Emerging Technology
Impressive technologies – such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and 3D printing – are leading in new opportunities in the tech sector. This session will provide an overview of up-and-coming technologies and the investment opportunities in this portion of the tech sector.

Pressing Questions for Companies Ready to Expand into the United States
For entrepreneurs, there is a surplus of questions whose answers are not readily available. This session is fitting for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their business into the United States within six months. Questions to be addressed during this session may include: When do I need to create a U.S. company? How is hiring different in the U.S., and what is the optimal team? Are there U.S. government resources to assist with U.S. expansion? When should I look to raise money from U.S. VCs? Where is the best place to set up in the U.S.?

Research and Development Trends
The United States is known for its advanced education system, strong intellectual property protections, and a culture of innovation, which makes the U.S. one of the best places for innovation and entrepreneurship in the world. This session will examine the role state and federal governments play in encouraging groundbreaking technological advancements through funding research clusters, offering R&D tax credits, and establishing public-private partnerships to support economic development in the United States.

Scaling Your Startup
This panel will cover successes and failures in scaling to help inform you on the most important and effective strategies for scaling successfully in the U.S. It will illustrate this through 2-3 case studies on how companies have addressed these challenges, as well as resources via example funding groups and universities that are available to help new companies develop a deeply market-centered strategy, business plans and contacts to help kickstart your business.

Soft Landing Programs
Soft landing programs help companies adapt to and connect with the local business community as well as successfully establish a position in the U.S. marketplace. This session will examine the services and incentives that such initiatives provide across the United States, with a focus on the tech industry.

Startup Fundraising and Financing
Ensuring the positive momentum of an early-stage business can be challenging. Fortunately, the United States possesses the most developed and liquid financial markets in the world. This session will breakdown the immense assortment of business financing and funding mechanisms available to early-stage firms in the United States, from early-stage angel investors, to venture capitalists, to later-stage equity. This session will provide an understanding of how these financial instruments can enable growth and support a wide variety of startups and nascent businesses.

Startup Success Stories
Hear firsthand from CEOs of innovative early-stage and startup companies from around the world who have expanded into the U.S. Learn about the challenges they overcame, how they adapted to the American business environment, and how you can apply their lessons learned to your own business.

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Select Global Women in Tech

Select Global Women in Tech is a new series of programming under the SelectUSA Tech umbrella, which specifically targets international female founders in tech who seek to expand or move their business to the United States. In addition to benefitting from the diverse programming offered through the SelectUSA Tech track, Select Global Women in Tech will provide unique opportunities for women, including networking opportunities, the chance to engage with successful female entrepreneurs, and our flagship Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship Network.

This program will promote American competitiveness and technology leadership by attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in emerging technology sectors and spur economic growth and innovation in the United States, thereby creating high-value jobs and supporting female entrepreneurs around the world. Select Global Women in Tech will amplify the female entrepreneurship pillar of the White House’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative and other U.S. government efforts created to support women’s economic empowerment globally.

Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship Network
Female founders of high-growth international tech companies that meet the eligibility criteria for the SelectUSA Tech program have the opportunity to match with an experienced, successful mentor who will meet 1-on-1 at least three times over the course of a six-month program which formally begins at the SelectUSA Investment Summit. Mentees will receive personalized support in developing a market entry strategy, scaling and fundraising their business, and other key investment topics. They will also have access to educational webinars and exclusive peer networking opportunities through our mentorship platform.

Select Global Women in Tech - Success Stories
A lineup of leading women in tech will share their U.S. expansion stories and insights they learned along the way about being a woman in a male-dominated industry. They will discuss their scaling and fundraising strategy, roadblocks and challenges and will provide advice to international female founders in tech that are trying to land in the United States based on mistakes they made, what they wish they had known about the U.S. market and what opportunities lay ahead for women in tech.

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Industry Spotlight

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Programming for U.S. Economic Development Officials (EDO)

Programming for EDOs will feature interactive workshops facilitated by highly qualified experts and tailored for EDOs interested in attracting foreign investment to their region. Availability for interactive workshops is limited to ensure a more interactive and engaging format with concrete takeaways for the participating EDOs. A complete list of workshops, with descriptions, target audiences, and instructions for registering can be found by visiting: Investment Summit Agenda.

Building a Client Base in a Digital World
The coronavirus pandemic pushed companies and Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) alike into conducting operations remotely. As such, it is critical to learn how to engage individuals in this digital world. This session will help improve the service offerings of EDOs and discuss how to build a strong client base in the current digital environment. Experts will use present-day challenges for communicating with clients digitally vs. in-person along different stages of the investor journey.

Audience: This session is open to cities with above 500k residents (larger cities), and countries/states that represent such cities.

How Your Tech Ecosystem can be Successful in Attracting Tomorrow’s Unicorns
Now that your tech ecosystem is both strong and robust it is time to plan for the future. This session will cover best practices on how to attract stellar tech companies to your area through programs and various incentives.

Innovation to Drive a Globally Competitive Metro Investment Location
For city-based Economic Development Organizations (EDOs), it is critical to adapt FDI strategies to help meet the needs of global companies of the future. This session will help metropolitan areas develop new FDI strategies reflective of the post-COVID investment environment. Expert panelists will cover best practices on attracting investment from a global perspective.

Investment Attraction on Shoestring
During economic distress, Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) are often the first to face budget cuts. The ongoing economic crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic has threatened the financial stability of many EDOs and their ability to provide critical services to their communities. This panel will focus on best practices for reacting to continuing economic pressures and the need for EDOs of all sizes to be nimble and prioritize resource allocation.

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SelectUSA Investor Guide

SelectUSA Investor Guide Investment Academy sessions are designed to provide practical information to companies on what they need to know to successfully expand their business into the United States. The SelectUSA Investor Guide Investment Academy sessions will address the most frequently asked questions about U.S. expansion relevant to companies in all sectors of all sizes and stages.

Banking in the United States
An early essential step for any company opening a business is to set up a business bank account. This account helps ensure both legal compliance and financial protection. Often, this process is difficult for entrepreneurs located outside of the United States. Panelists will discuss the best practices while opening a U.S. business bank account, including the steps to open a business bank account, considerations for foreign-owned businesses, and requirements to expect.

Business Incentives and Grants at the Federal, State, and Local Levels
A company seeking to establish or expand a business in the United States may be interested in business incentives and grants as a way to facilitate its investment, but it is often unclear how to pursue the many options at the federal, state, and local level. This panel will provide an overview of business incentives and grants in the United States, including the key types of incentives and grants, best practices in navigating the process, and maintaining compliance with awarded incentives.

Business Structuring in the United States
When starting a new company in the United States, you must first choose what corporate structure you wish to create. Each type – whether it be a limited liability corporation (LLC), an S-Corp, a co-op, or something else – has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on the industry and priorities a business might have. This session will discuss the various corporate structures available in the United States, and which one may be best suited for your business. 

Complying with Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS)
Certain transactions by foreign persons may be subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to determine their impact on the national security of the United States. This panel will help investors better understand the CFIUS process and its authority, including the implications of expanded authorization under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRMMA).

Federal Tax Credits and Incentives
The proper utilization of federal tax credits and incentives programs is essential when operating in competitive markets. These programs can provide a critical advantage for a business. The U.S. has countless tax credit and incentives programs, but searching for, identifying, and applying for them is a complex and time-consuming process. This panel will discuss the most pertinent information necessary to help investors understand how to take advantage of the incentives the federal government offers.

Foreign Investor Tax
The United States tax code is often difficult to navigate, and, for foreign investors it can be even more complex. Participants will hear from a panel of experts on specifics about taxes levied upon foreign business investors in the United States.

How to Register a Company
Registering your company is a crucial step in setting up your company in the United States. There are many factors one must consider when registering your company in the U.S. This session will cover best practices, the steps you need to take to register your company, and how it varies from state to state.

Investing in Rural America
Rural America has bountiful natural resources, skilled workers, and a welcoming business environment; yet it remains a largely untapped business destination for foreign companies. Making an investment into a rural area offers unique labor expertise, access to transportation networks, and the chance to build lasting partnerships with diverse communities. This panel will discuss investing in rural America and the resulting growth for both international corporations and local communities. 

Logistics of Operating a Business in the U.S.
Operating a business in the U.S. can be a daunting process. Learn firsthand from individuals who have successfully set up a business in the U.S. This session will cover the obstacles faced by these companies, the best practices and lessons learned from overcoming the obstacles, and how you can apply them to your business.

Market Entry
Breaking into a new market is a challenging task, and many factors come into play when doing so, such as competitor market share, local business norms and customs, unfamiliar legal environments, and cultural differences. This session will cover various hurdles a business may encounter, best practices to overcome them and important factors to keep in mind when entering a new market. 

Navigating the U.S. Visa Landscape
One of the first steps to establishing operations in the United States is acquiring the correct visa for yourself and any employees you bring from your home market. Understanding the complexities of the visa-application process can be a daunting task because the visa types, regulations and procedures can be complicated. This panel will discuss the different visa programs available, including the EB-5 program, as well as provide information on the various types of visas necessary to enter, invest and work in the United States. 

Site Selection
One of the most essential – and challenging – considerations for any business seeking to invest in the United States is where to set up shop. Myriad factors play into the ideal location for a new expansion, including proximity to customers, competitors, and supply chains. Other considerations, such as available tax programs, workforce and wage rates and real estate costs are also very important. This session will discuss some of the tools and processes that are most useful in identifying potential locations best suited to your specific business needs. 

State and Local Taxes
Every state in the country operates with a high degree of autonomy in writing its own laws and creating its own tax codes. The tax codes reflect the major policy priorities and industries of the state in which they are levied. This session will cover the essentials for understanding state and local taxes and what resources are available to learn which state’s tax structure may be the most beneficial to your industry or business.

Utility Markets
Every company must factor the cost of utilities into their business plan regardless of industry. With a strong network of public and private providers, access to utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and communications are created to be efficient, accessible, and powerful. This panel will help companies navigate the U.S. utilities landscape to ensure a smooth utility acquisition process when opening a business in the United States.

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Finding Your Workforce

Finding Your Workforce Investment Academy sessions will feature practitioners, community college representatives, economic developers, corporate executives, service providers and state and local government officials on best practices for workforce recruitment, development, training, and compliance in the United States.

How to Access the Benefits of Apprenticeship for Your Company
Companies interested in expanding operations in the U.S. may be unaware of the strategies needed, along with resources available, to successfully access a skilled workforce. This session will help companies understand the current workforce development landscape in the U.S. as well as registered apprenticeship programs.

Human Resources, Staffing, and Employment Law
Human resource branches not only facilitate workplace relations, they also foster creative work, promote efficiency, and strengthen collaboration. Their decisions can also affect the future direction of your company. This session will help you improve your understanding of human resources and staffing, and how these departments are critical to your company’s success.

Partnering with State and Local Government to Develop your Workforce
Establishing a close relationship with state, local, and tribal governments can ensure stable and enduring partnerships. Which will help your company utilize the niche skills of a regional workforce, meet your workforce needs, and ultimately foster community growth. These partnerships also offer an avenue for your company to influence how regions and localities address education and development of your future workforce. Hear more about reaching out to government resources and sustaining these relationships. 

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U.S. Government Programming

Under the banner of the Interagency Investment Working Group (IIWG), SelectUSA has partnered with our U.S. Federal government sister agencies to bring information on international standards, regulations, and opportunities for partnership with the U.S. government directly to you. Below is the list of currently confirmed U.S. government bureaus and agencies who will participate and host interactive informational sessions at the Investment Summit. We expect over 30 active sister bureaus and agencies to participate and will continue to add to this list as more confirm.

• Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Department of Energy - Argonne National Labs
• Department of Energy – Loan Programs Office
• Economic Development Agency
• Minority Business Development Agency
• National Institute of Health
• National Institute of Standards and Technology – Manufacturing Extension Partnership
• National Institute of Standards and Technology – Manufacturing USA
• Patent and Trademark Office
• SelectUSA Stats
• Small Business Administration
• UNICOR
• U.S. Census Bureau

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