Impact
The outcomes from this trip were substantial, with participants reporting significant business and wider benefits, such as:
Investor Pipeline
- Over £4–5M in active investor pipeline generated from SXSW connections.
- At least 9 meaningful investor conversations, including several with top-tier U.S. VCs.
- At least one founder secured a £10k angel investment from a SXSW connection, as part of a wider funding round.
Commercial Outcomes
- £100k in early-stage commercial trial revenue expected from partnerships formed during SXSW.
- 10+ founders initiated potential customer/partner discussions, with multiple U.S. corporate leads, including the CTO of Paramount Pictures.
Confidence Shifts
- 100% of founders reported improved confidence in their investor pipeline post-programme.
- Peer support jumped from avg. 3.1 to 4.8 (out of 5), with multiple going from 'Disagree' to 'Strongly Agree'.
- Leadership confidence saw across-the-board improvements, with 85% rating themselves 5/5 after the trip.
- Founders rating themselves “connected to investors who will help scale my business” jumped from 38% before to 92% after the programme.
- Understanding of support available to internationalise their business rose from 46% before to 92% after the trip.
Programme Highlights
- Dell HQ visit, founder BBQ with VCs, and Rob Gelb’s pitch mentoring were rated most valuable across the cohort.
- All participants cited the peer network, normally missed during standard Trade Missions, formed during the trip as one of the most transformative outcomes.
- Founders repeatedly credited the trip for ‘thinking bigger’, building confidence, and unlocking new international ambitions.
- Multiple participants reported making valuable connections that led to return visits to the US for follow-up meetings.
In Their Words
"This trip has expanded my mind so much, I've got so many new ideas, so much inspiration. The fact we're getting to go with other people as well adds so much value that it justifies the time."
“The connections and energy of the programme is spot on, and has hit the sweet spot between trade mission and a team bonding trip. Resulting in a blend of ecosystem immersion and strengthening of group bonds. Also a very nice (and rare) mix of professional and personal backgrounds which made the experience much more diverse and rich.”
“I'd like to share my sincere appreciation for the Foras Programme and the invaluable experiences it has provided. From engaging with industry leaders to exploring new markets and refining our investor pipeline, the program has been instrumental in accelerating our growth journey. The opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors and key stakeholders has been invaluable, and I'm grateful for the support and guidance offered throughout the process. Foras has truly facilitated a transformative experience, and I highly recommend it to any ambitious startup looking to expand their horizons and tap into global opportunities.”
“Experience like engaging with HubSpot for Startups team has been invaluable in implementing our investor pipeline. Additionally, the opportunity to meet key stakeholders within the Texas tech and entrepreneurship ecosystem, including Foreign Liaison, Investor Relations, and Community Engagement individuals, has provided valuable insights and networking opportunities crucial for long-term growth and partnerships”.
“The combination of SXSW, Foras events and my own meetings was full on and sometimes challenging with clashes of appointments. That said, I would far prefer a packed agenda with lots of opportunities than the alternative.”
“The balance of organised events and free time was about right. The Foras team had worked so hard to organise really valuable sessions for our cohort, and I got value from each one. It was good to have partners on the trip - Rob in particular gave some really useful feedback on pitching. I do believe that we all established a very good and trusted relationship between the whole cohort (including organisers/partners) and I look forward to continuing those relationships. Finally thank you so much for the opportunity. This exceeded my wildest expectations!”