When pitching to investors, founders often focus on the shiny parts of their business i.e. the product, the market, the team. And that’s fair: those are critical. But here’s a secret that experienced venture capitalists won’t always say out loud: they notice the messy back office too.

As a founder or owner of a startup or company entering the US market, your employees are your greatest asset. Building an innovative product or service is essential, but attracting and keeping top talent is what truly drives your success and growth. A well crafted employee benefits package can make all the difference helping you stand out in a competitive hiring landscape, keeping your team motivated, and ensuring long-term retention.

If you’re relocating to the U.S. as an international founder, tech worker, or startup team member, navigating the American healthcare system can feel like deciphering an entirely new language. Unlike many countries with public healthcare systems, the U.S. operates primarily on a private insurance model and understanding how to protect your health (and your wallet) is essential from day one.

At Growth Division, we follow the Bullseye Framework to help startups grow. This framework requires starting with between 3 and 6 marketing channels to test and validate.

When international companies plan to enter the US market, one of the first challenges they face is hiring and managing employees while staying compliant with complex employment laws. Two popular solutions Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) and Employers of Record (EORs) allow you to outsource HR, payroll, benefits, insurance and compliance. But they work differently, and the best choice depends on your business goals.

Starting & expanding your business in the United States can feel like the ultimate growth move, and for good reason. The US offers the largest economy in the world, a deep talent pool, and countless opportunities to scale. But alongside the obvious costs of office space, salaries, and travel, many companies underestimate the hidden costs of entering the US market and these can quickly erode profitability if not planned for.

If you're a startup founder launching in the US—especially as an international founder—you've likely been told you need 5 to 10 employees before any PEO (Professional Employer Organization) will talk to you. That’s a frustrating reality, particularly when you're trying to do things properly from day one: offer healthcare, stay compliant, and attract top talent with a strong EVP. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Should you employ a law firm or download documents from an online platform?

Every business should have bespoke and up-to-date terms and conditions to protect themselves and provide peace of mind to their clients/customers.

The right time to sell a business will be different depending on your own personal circumstances. Our article looks at the different scenarios and how you can effectively prepare for a sale.