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U.S. Expansion Founders’ Dinner with Wilson Sonsini: St Andrew’s Day x Thanksgiving

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Event artwork for U.S. Expansion Founders’ Dinner with Wilson Sonsini: St Andrew’s Day x Thanksgiving

Supporting this event

Sponsors

Wilson SonsiniAnderson StrathernHoward Kennedy Ignite Edge
About this event

What to expect

A practical US expansion dinner for Scotland-based founders and C-suite leaders, taking place in central Edinburgh on 23 November 2026.

Hosted by Foras Ventures and Wilson Sonsini, this in-person gathering combines candid advice on entering the US market with a St Andrew’s Day and Thanksgiving-themed dinner. Expect tartan, possibly turkey, and a focused conversation about the legal, commercial, fundraising and hiring decisions involved in making it Stateside.

The discussion will be led by Daniel Glazer, who heads Wilson Sonsini’s US Expansion group and London office. Wilson Sonsini’s dual-qualified UK/US team supports technology and life sciences companies throughout their US journey, from launch and scaling to fundraising, M&A and IPO exits. Its Scottish clients include Skyscanner, FanDuel and Current Health.

What will be discussed?

The dinner is designed around the real questions founders face when planning or beginning US expansion, including:

  • When to establish US operations or create a US company
  • Whether a US entity is needed to raise from American VCs
  • The right time to pursue US investment
  • Where to set up, how long the process takes and what it costs
  • How British and other non-US founders should sell and pitch in America
  • How US hiring differs and what an effective local team looks like
  • Legal risk, including the realities of US litigation
  • Government resources that may support international expansion

Rather than a formal conference, this is a founder dinner built for open discussion and peer learning. Attendees will have space to share ambitions, challenges and recent wins with other startup leaders navigating similar decisions.

Who should attend?

The approval-required event is intended for startup founders and C-suite leaders based in Scotland who are generating revenue and, within the next six to twelve months, expect to expand into the US, hire there or seek American investment. It is also relevant to leaders who have recently entered the market and want to learn from experienced advisers and fellow operators.

Evening agenda…

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