Why I'll Be Flying to the US Every Two Months - Reflections After My New York & San Francisco Trip

About this episode

After two intensive weeks in the US, one thing is clear to me: I'll be flying to the States every two months going forward. What might initially sound like a spontaneous decision is actually based on concrete insights about the startup ecosystems in New York and San Francisco – and their enormous potential for German founders.

Putting on US Glasses Early

Many German startups make the mistake of thinking about the US too late. It's not just about the world's largest market, but about a completely different mindset. The "US mindset" differs fundamentally from our German approach – and as a founder, you should understand this early.

Building a US network takes time. Trust develops through regular presence, not sporadic visits. That's why it's crucial to start making connections and learning the cultural codes in the early stages.

New York vs. San Francisco: Two Worlds, One Goal

Both cities offer unique ecosystems that differ dramatically from each other:

New York presents itself as the financial and media center. This is where the East Coast elite meets, investors think in larger dimensions, and the lifestyle is urban-intensive. The prices are astronomical – a simple hotel room quickly costs $400-500 per night.

San Francisco, on the other hand, is the heart of the tech world. This is where disruptive ideas are born, where the big VCs sit, and where there's a different appetite for risk. The ecosystem is more densely networked, but also more competitive.

Both cities share one thing: an openness to big visions that are often viewed skeptically in Germany.

Success Stories of German Expansions

German startups can succeed in the US – companies like Celonis, Camunda, and Parloa demonstrate this impressively:

Celonis has established itself as a process mining leader, showing how German engineering excellence meets American scaling mentality. The Munich-based company understands how to combine German thoroughness with US speed.

Camunda proves that even complex B2B software from Germany can conquer the US market. The Berlin team recognized early that success in the US means adapting both the product and communication for the local market.

Parloa, the Berlin-based Conversational AI startup, shows how to gain a foothold with the right strategy, even as a younger company.

The Right Timing for US Activities

When should you as a founder take the leap? The answer is more complex than a simple "product-market fit achieved."

Early market research and network building can start while you're still working on the German market. This doesn't mean immediate expansion, but rather understanding the US mentality and building relationships.

You should consider serious expansion when:

• –Your German business is running stably
• –You have enough capital for at least 18-24 months of US operations
• –Your team is ready to embrace the cultural adaptation
• –You have a clear plan for how your product needs to differ from the German market

Lifestyle and Realities

Living in New York or San Francisco means extreme costs with extreme opportunities. A coffee costs $6-8, rents are unaffordable, but the density of opportunities and contacts is incomparable.

The work culture is more intense, more direct, but also more open to disruptive ideas. What's considered "too risky" in Germany is often the standard in the US.

My Personal Takeaway

Flying to the US every eight weeks might sound excessive. For me, it's an investment in understanding, network, and perspective. The US thinks differently about business, risk, and scaling. As a German founder or investor, I can't afford to ignore this perspective.

The question isn't whether you should go to the US at some point – but when you start putting on those US glasses.