Deloitte opens second cohort for Israeli growth-stage startups expanding to U.S. market

Deloitte has announced the opening of the second cohort in its launchpad program for Israeli growth-stage startups aiming to expand operations in the U.S. market. This equity-free 7-week program is designed to help seven selected Israeli growth-stage companies contend with central challenges founders face upon entry to the U.S. market and adjust to the 'new normal' in the aftermath of the pandemic. The selected companies will benefit from working closely with senior members of both Deloitte U.S and Deloitte Israel and the program will provide personalized content to address important topics such as strategy for expansion, building a solid foundation for a future relocation, creating a solid sales infrastructure, and access to top tier venture capital funds in the U.S.

Startups can apply to the program until July 11. The second cohort of Deloitte Launchpad is scheduled to start at the beginning of October. According to Deloitte, “the ideal candidates are startups with a validated product, at least half a million dollars in annual revenue, and a relocation to the U.S. on their two-year roadmap.”

The second cohort will take on a hybrid model, with most of the content to be delivered online with some in-person content as well. The program will also conduct a one-week curated roadshow in New York for the companies.

Following cohorts will be held in Deloitte U.S. offices in New York City. Those offices will be at the service of the chosen startups for their first three months in the U.S.

The Launchpad program is spearheaded by Yair Laron, co-leader of Deloitte Catalyst TLV, Deloitte Israel's practice for startups, together with his American counterpart Heather Gates, National Emerging Growth Companies Leader at Deloitte U.S. "We are offering Deloitte Launchpad, not as a service, but as a specialized program for companies in their growth phase that are building their presence in the U.S. market,” said Laron. “Typically, accelerators in the market target early-stage companies. We saw a need to support and provide resources to growth-stage startups who have entirely different challenges. Our goal is to be there for founders in moments that matter. We are looking to help them accelerate their learning curve and avoid pitfalls that we see in the market and with our clients.”