About STEP USA

New York City is the second-largest startup ecosystem in the world. It offers German startups endless opportunities to internationalize their business. Meet with U.S. venture capital investors, business angels, and American corporates that are ready to look at what you have to offer. Join us for one of the STEP USA programs and meet our network of experts in New York, Boston or Philadelphia.

Number of STEP USA Alumni

Participating Startups

Entered U.S. Market

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STEP USA Cohorts

THE STEP USA STORY


Since 1947, the GACC New York has been a powerhouse of expertise, enhancing growth and unlocking opportunities for our members and partners.
We aim to support German entrepreneurs, helping them succeed in the dynamic U.S. market and at the same time accelerate the growth of their businesses in Germany.

At the heart of our initiatives lies our successful STEP USA Program, a true game-changer we introduced in December 2014.

STEP USA Milestones

Since its inception in 2014, STEP USA has been facilitating access for promising German startups to immerse themselves in the vibrant tech ecosystem of New York City. In 2016, the program expanded its reach to include Boston and Silicon Valley, providing even more opportunities for growth and networking. In 2021, a strategic partnership with the German Center for Research and Innovation NY was forged, enabling STEP USA to extend its offerings to very early-stage university startups by taking part in our STEP USA University Program.

2024: New STEP USA Formats:

Introducing the STEP USA GreenTech & CleanTech program, STEP USA MedTech & Life Sciences program, and our latest offering, the STEP USA Female Founders program. These additions expand opportunities for German startups in diverse sectors and underscore our ongoing commitment to innovation and inclusivity.

Several Formats –
1 Unique Learning Experience

Looking to get your startup off the ground? Check out our STEP USA travel programs! Immerse yourself in seminars, workshops, and 1-on-1 meetings with industry experts and develop the necessary skills to succeed in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Most of them take place in Manhattan, some of them in Boston and Philadelphia.

STEP USA Travel Program to New York

The STEP USA Travel Program is an on-site 4-day program filled with seminars, workshops, 1-on-1 meetings and lots of networking opportunities. During the course of the program, we provide you with hands-on mentoring for a successful U.S. market expansion. You will meet a wide variety of our mentors and partners who have extensive knowledge in their field and learn how to scale your business in the U.S.

STEP USA Industry-Specific Programs

The GACC NY introduced industry-specific STEP USA programs, such as MedTech, Greentech, and Female Founders, to address the unique needs and challenges of these sectors. By tailoring the STEP USA programs to the specific needs of founders in these industries, we enable our participants to deepen their network, thus fostering innovation, growth, and collaboration within these key industries.

STEP USA University Program

This program is specially tailored for merely founded startups and university spin-offs looking to internationalize their business early on. In contrast to the regular STEP USA travel programs, we help you develop a go-to-market strategy that will work internationally from day one. Together with our partner, DWIH New York, we will introduce you to suitable experts that understand the challenge of scaling a very young company in the U.S.