How US Fundraising Differs from French Fundraising
Speed
US seed rounds can close in 2–4 weeks. French fundraising often takes 6–18 months. US VCs make fast decisions based on signal (traction, team, market). Be prepared to move at US speed.
Traction First
US investors (especially VCs) want evidence before writing checks. Revenue, growth rates, pipeline, LOIs (Letters of Intent) from US customers. "The product is nearly ready" doesn't work with US VCs.
Network Access
90%+ of US VC deals come through warm introductions. Cold pitches are rarely funded. You need someone in the US investment ecosystem to introduce you. This is where US expat networks are invaluable.
Legal Structure
Most US VCs will not invest in a French SAS or SARL. You typically need a Delaware C-Corp as the US entity, with the French entity as a subsidiary or via a flip (restructuring). This has French and US tax implications.
US Funding Sources for French Companies
Tier 1 US VCs
Sequoia, a16z, Benchmark, Bessemer, Lightspeed, Battery. Very high bar. Need strong metrics and warm intro. Best accessed after Series A traction. Some have EU programs (a16z has European office).
Early-Stage / Seed Funds
Y Combinator (accepts French companies), First Round Capital, Techstars, 500 Startups. YC is the most accessible — apply at ycombinator.com. Seed stage ($500K–$3M). Less network dependency than later stage.
US Angel Investors
AngelList, Gust, Angel Capital Association. Many ex-founders with sector-specific expertise. More flexible terms. Will back earlier stage. Often the best first US money.
French-American Investors
Franco-American VCs: Serena Capital, Partech (Paris/SF), Alven, Idinvest. These know both markets, comfortable with French companies targeting US. Often first check for this corridor.
US Government Grants (SBIR/STTR)
Small Business Innovation Research grants — available to US-incorporated companies. French companies with Delaware entities can apply. Competitive but non-dilutive. Especially good for deep tech, medtech, defense.
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter and Indiegogo — excellent for consumer product validation in the US market before raising institutional money. Running a US crowdfunding campaign both raises money AND validates US demand.
Your American Consultant = Your VC Introduction
The most valuable thing an American consultant in France can do for a French company seeking US investment is make warm introductions to the right investors. A former US banker, VC analyst, tech executive, or startup founder in France who still has active US networks is worth more than any pitch deck. This is a core part of the Gershon Consulting partner value proposition.
Go-to-Market
Revenue traction VCs need to see