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How SelectUSA Facilitates Foreign Tech Startup Investment Into the United States

Jasjit Singh is the Executive Director of SelectUSA, the U.S. federal government program housed in the Department of Commerce dedicated to facilitating and promoting job-creating foreign investment into the United States and assisting foreign startups and businesses interested in opening and expanding their operations in the United States.


The United States has been the world’s number one destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) for 11 years running[1], and there is no shortage of reasons why. The U.S. has a business-friendly environment backed by our strong financial institutions and markets, educated and skilled workforce, and our status as a global innovation hub.  With an annual GDP of over $20 trillion and a large, diverse population of over 325 million, the United States continues to be the world’s most attractive consumer market offering a thriving culture of innovation and one of the world’s most productive workforces. Companies of all sizes – from startups to multinationals – can find the ideas, resources, and markets to succeed and grow.

Since its inception, SelectUSA has assisted thousands of clients, including economic development organizations (EDOs), domestic firms, and international companies, facilitating over $200 billion in client-verified investment and supporting more than 200,000 jobs across the United States and its territories.

SelectUSA Tech

SelectUSA has an exciting program focused on facilitating FDI from high-growth international technology startups: SelectUSA Tech. We serve international tech startups developing innovative technology products/services and planning to expand to the U.S. market within the next 2-3 years. Startups receive our traditional counseling services to support their U.S. expansion efforts and we create space for them to make connections in the U.S. startup ecosystem.

Year-round, SelectUSA helps startups find actionable information and interpret the reliable and unbiased data they need on a wide range of topics – from the overall economy, investment trends through industry overviews, information about consumers, and more. SelectUSA attends tech events, conferences, and trade shows worldwide to connect with startups, investors, economic development organizations (EDOs), service providers, and more. Visit our events calendar to see where you can find us next!

Additionally, to support international women founders, entrepreneurs, and executives in the ever-growing tech sector, SelectUSA is proud to offer the Select Global Women in Tech (SGWIT) Mentorship Network. The SGWIT Mentorship Network is a year-long program that introduces international women in tech to the U.S. market with the support of SelectUSA’s traditional data and counseling services as well as community, learning, and networking opportunities. Our SGWIT Mentorship Network offers participants access to an experienced mentor from the U.S. startup ecosystem as an informational resource on challenges related to scaling, promoting, fundraising, and establishing a business in the United States.

SelectUSA Investment Summit

The SelectUSA Investment Summit, where business potential meets business opportunity, is a one-stop shop for companies expanding to the United States. The Investment Summit is the premier event in the United States to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, EDOs, and industry experts from around the world to discuss opportunities to invest or grow in the United States and facilitate business investment and job creation.

The 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit will take place June 23-26, 2024, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in the Washington D.C. area. Join us to establish new connections and explore business opportunities through investing in the United States!

[1] The 2023 Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index®: Cautious optimism – Kearney