The Go Global: Silicon Valley (GGSV) program is essentially a regional competition that accomplishes two things. First, it serves to identify the strongest, most promising emerging technology companies within a specific region of the world seeking to enter the U.S. market. Second, it gives them the best possible start.

The GGSV was developed as a response to one simple question: what actually works? Rather than applying theory, or analysis, or academic solutions, we took a hard look at the actual process of succeeding here. When emerging foreign tech companies enter the Silicon Valley ecosystem, which ones succeed, why, and how can that success be replicated?

The answer lies in two parts. The first is to select the right companies to begin with. Silicon Valley is an extremely competitive place. At the risk of being overly Darwinian, then, if companies have to compete when they arrive here, why not have them compete to get here? A competition ensures that the companies that come here have the best technology, the strongest management, and the strategy, financing and positioning they need to win.

For the economic development agencies (EDAs) with which we work, the benefits are equally lasting. Because the entire GGSV program is based on defining and executing what actually works, sponsoring EDAs see tangible, specific results from their investments – not simply a line item in a budget. In return for participating in GGSV, EDAs can point to young companies that come to Silicon Valley, flourish, and provide jobs, technology and exports are ultimately what GGSV delivers. The USMAC itself, in the last 24 months, has had six companies raise a total of over $80 million in venture funding, and eight have been acquired by US companies.

Key Elements of GGSV
The Go Global: Silicon Valley consists of four distinct components: