SelectUSA Tech

The SelectUSA Tech program serves eligible international tech startups developing innovative technology products/services and planning to expand to the U.S. market within the next 2-3 years. 

We provide services to support their U.S. expansion efforts and create space for them to make connections to the U.S. startup ecosystem.
 

Eligibility Criteria

To engage with SelectUSA Tech, startups must be:

  • Founded outside the United States, and
  • Developing an innovative technology product or service (a new technology, and/or delivering an existing technology to a country in new ways), and
  • Looking to the United States for market-entry or growth within the next 2-3 years.

SelectUSA Tech startups must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • 0-10 years old (Founded on/after January 1, 2016)
  • 0-40 employees
  • $0-10M in annual revenue
     

2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit

The 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our startup on an international stage. We made valuable connections with investors, partners, and fellow innovators. The event was well-organized, energizing, and gave us clear insights into expanding into the U.S. market.
- 2025 Participant

Participating in the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit was an eye-opening experience. As a resource-constrained startup, the most valuable takeaway was gaining a clearer understanding of the U.S. market entry landscape—from federal to state-level priorities in attracting foreign investment, including key focus areas, policies, incentives, and available support programs. The information and network provided by SelectUSA helped us identify what to prepare, when to act, and how to approach our U.S. expansion strategy more effectively. It enabled us to avoid costly missteps and better allocate our limited resources, making SelectUSA a truly meaningful step in our global growth journey.
- 2025 Participant


The 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit will feature exciting opportunities and programming, including: 

  • Informational sessions on investment trends and opportunities in key industry subsectors, and more 
  • Tech industry pitching sessions featuring selected applicants, a panel of judges, and an audience
  • Networking opportunities: 
    • in the SelectUSA Tech Lounge in the Exhibition Hall, 
    • in industry networking sessions, and
    • on the SelectUSA ShoApp
  • Exclusive opportunities for Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship Network participants
     

Select Global Women in Tech

SelectUSA Tech has a dedicated program for international women founders, entrepreneurs, and executives in tech, called Select Global Women in Tech (SGWIT).

The SGWIT Mentorship Network is a yearlong program that formally launches at the Investment Summit.

Visit our Select Global Women in Tech page to learn more.

 

How to Apply to Attend the Investment Summit

Eligible tech startups interested in attending the Investment Summit can apply using the SelectUSA Tech registration type, which includes a special registration rate. Additional details are available on the Investment Summit application.

Representatives of the U.S. Startup Ecosystem may qualify for a special rate to participate in the Investment Summit. To apply, email SUSAEvents@trade.gov.
 

Pitching Sessions at the Investment Summit

Eligible SelectUSA Tech participants can apply to pitch in pitching sessions at the Investment Summit. SelectUSA Tech startups applying to pitch must also meet the below additional criteria:

  • Business Stage: Early Stage or Growth Stage (i)

The 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit will feature the following industry pitching sessions: 

  • Defense
  • Energy
  • Health
  • ICT/Software
  • Open
     

The 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit will also feature a World Finals Pitching Session. Winners from each pitching session will compete in one final round.

Selected tech startups in all pitching sessions will pitch in front of an audience of Investment Summit attendees and a panel of judges, which may include venture capitalists, corporate investors, representatives from startup ecosystems, and industry experts. All pitches are limited to six minutes, followed by three minutes of questions from the panel.
 

How to Apply to Pitch 

A link to the SelectUSA Tech pitching application will be available in the submission confirmation email for SelectUSA Tech Investment Summit applicants.

Before proceeding into the pitching application questions, the pitching application requires applicants to:

  • Provide the confirmation number from their Investment Summit application before, and 
  • Confirm they meet the additional prerequisite criteria required to apply to pitch.

A copy of the pitching application is available for your review and reference. 

To be considered, your complete Investment Summit application and your application to pitch must be submitted by March 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Receiving approval to attend the Investment Summit does not guarantee a spot to pitch. 

All startups that apply to pitch and are approved to attend the Investment Summit will receive a notification about their pitching application submission status (accepted or declined) in April 2026. 
 

Year-Round Services

SelectUSA provides year-round services to support tech startups in their U.S. expansion efforts, including: 

  • Geographically neutral data and counseling services
  • Connections to federal agencies and our vast network of economic development organizations 
  • Networking opportunities, onsite at the Investment Summit, and through year-round programming
  • Access to the Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship Network (for women)

We create the space for SelectUSA Tech startups to make connections to the U.S. startup ecosystem, including with: 

  • service providers
  • support organizations (accelerators/ incubators)
  • universities/research organizations
  • funding organizations

While we create opportunities for connections to various organizations, we do not guarantee any connections or access to funding sources.