Approach your US ENTRY like any other startup project
Dream big, start small, scale wisely!
Helping ambitious Nordic scale-up companies seeking a pragmatic and guided approach to their US entry.
YOUR U.S. ENTRY PARTNER
Let's get you to the US
Starting an operation across the ocean can be a daunting task. Often, there are more questions than answers, making it hard to know where to start. Expenses can quickly spiral out of control before achieving scalable and repeatable success.
We founded Playmakr to change this. With roots in Denmark and a personal track record that includes establishing Siteimprove in the US, then scaling it to 200+ employees, our aim is to make entering the US market easier and more likely to succeed by treating it like any other startup project:
Dream big, start small, scale wisely!
However, starting small and staying agile can be challenging, as it often involves relocating, hiring local leadership, leasing office space, and engaging recruiters.
Drawing on our 16+ years of experience in the US, we assist you in planning your entry. We help you get incorporated and ready for your first employees within weeks. We provide instant access to our office space in downtown Minneapolis and help you find your first employees.
When questions arise along the way, we are here to help and to serve as a bridge between your US team and the home office.
Once you reach the point where you are ready to scale, we assist in building out your team. We also coach your leaders on how to foster a productive and positive culture across the Atlantic Ocean.
WHY PLAYMAKR
What we bring to the table
We have the experience and facilities to help bring your company to the US quickly and affordably. Once we find the formula that works for you, we'll be ready to help scale it successfully.
Experience
Danish roots and more than 16 years of experience scaling Nordic companies in the US.
Turn-Key office
Delight your new employees with our move-in-ready office space in Downtown Minneapolis.
Network
Let's use our network in Minneapolis to find or validate your new employees or partners.
Local presence
We are here to make sure your team is doing ok when you can't be.
Sales operations support
Effective processes and great supporting technology is key to scaling. We can help you optimize sales and marketing processes and tech-stack.
ICP analysis
"Find your niche" is an important part of success in a large market like the US. We can help you analyze data and identify the optimal Ideal Customer Profiles (ICP)
Why Minneapolis
Foreign companies are often drawn to places like New York, Miami, or San Francisco, but the United States have so much more to offer. Don’t limit your options to the vacation destinations.
We are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which we have found to be the ideal entry point for Nordic companies.
Minnesota has the largest population of Nordic and Scandinavian Americans of any state, which means the culture here will be more familiar than anywhere else in the US.
Minneapolis is part of a major metropolitan area with a population of approximately 4 million. It's home to companies like Target, Cargill, 3M, US Bank, UnitedHealth Group, Medtronic, and many other large enterprises. It also has a vibrant and growing startup community.
Perfect time zone for nationwide calls
Familiar culture for Nordic people
Vibrant startup community
Large talent pool
Lower cost of living
Loyal workforce
TYPICAL CHALLENGES
Common reasons expansions fail
Here are the main reasons we see in play when US expansions fail.
#1: Don't try
The number one reason people fail to expand into the US is not trying at all.
We get it, it can seem overwhelming when you haven't done it before. We are here to shine a light on all the unknowns and help make it doable.
#2: More focus on the adventure, than the business
For many companies, expanding into the US means that a founder or key employee relocates. While this is beneficial for speeding up the learning process and building culture, it often comes with a number of challenges. Decisions, such as where to open the first office, can become driven by a desire for adventure rather than what is best for the business.
Starting with a relocation can greatly extend the timeline and diffuse the focus when concerns like visa applications, finding housing, and arranging schooling for children must be addressed before beginning to understand what works and what doesn't in the US market.
Another challenge arises when the person who has relocated (or their family) decides after a while that the US isn't for them and wants to move back. In such cases, you have an operation built around them and need to quickly devise a Plan B.
With Playmakr you can still have the adventure, but wait to commit until you have gained traction.
#3: The "Go big, or go home" trap
This is a trap that more established companies tend to fall into. Driven by a desire (or need!) to see results fast, they go big right away to meet their growth targets. They devise a plan with an optimistic 'hockey stick' growth projection and begin hiring. However, by the time they realize they are not on track to hit the goal, they have already exhausted their funds and patience.
DO NOT FALL INTO THIS TRAP!
OUR OFFICE SPACE
Your landing pad
Surround your employees with others professionals working for Nordic companies in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis.
