First Time International Investors: Getting the Most Out of Your Silicon Valley Visit

Getting the Most Out of Your Silicon Valley Visit

By Tiffine Wang (@tiffine_wang) & Rick Rasmussen (@rickyrazz)

Rick and I both have been lucky to work with some of the the top executives and investors from around the world. Many come to Silicon Valley to learn the tips of the trade, review potential investments and grow their networks. However, while the Silicon Valley tourism can be interesting, it can sometimes be disruptive for those who are working. If you’re planning a visit, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it.

Set a Clear Agenda

Why are you visiting?  What do you hope to achieve? Have a clear agenda in place and think about how your hosts will benefit from meeting with you. Investors, corporations and everyone here are busy but will be happy to help if you're looking for something specific.

Get Introduced

You’ll have a much higher chance of getting a meeting if you are introduced by someone credible. Most people in the Valley are flexible, but extremely busy so make sure you have a clear objective in mind or this may discredit the person who made the introduction.

Do Your Research

A bit of prep can go a long way.  Understand that startups range in size and capabilities.  Investors will specialize in particular sectors or stages (seed, Series A/B, late stage).  If you're a large corporation or government official, small startups may be interested in taking a meeting with you but this often leads to disappointment on both ends because they're too early to work with you. Make sure you understand the type and size of companies you're able to work with before engaging.

Make Every Meeting Mutually Beneficial

Be part of their solution.   If you’re meeting with a company or firm, take some time to learn about them beforehand.  Have an email conversation or Skype call in advance. We like working with smart people, bring your expertise to the table, we love to share ours. It'll help build trust and credibility.

Keep Your Promises (Very Important)

Often, too many meetings end with a good feeling but don’t result in real business interactions. Build a track record of someone who is commitment-oriented and you’ll likely see others reciprocate. Your actions will set your reputation from this point forward.