Denver's Global Landing Pad 2020 Brings International Entrepreneurship to Denver

Fifteen firms from around the world learn about expanding their operations in Denver

DENVER – August 4, 2020 – Denver Economic Development and Opportunity’s (DEDO) division of Global Business Development is kicking-off its annual Global Landing Pad (GLP) program in partnership with World Trade Center Denver (WTC). Now in its second year, the GLP program is hosting 15 companies from seven countries August 4 through September 17, 2020.

Unlike 2019, this year’s cohort will gather and learn fully through virtual platforms, an effort to adapt to the circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining international connections.

Despite the global slowdown of travel and business activities due to COVID-19, DEDO’s Global Business Development team has continued promoting Denver as a prime location for business growth and maintained conversations with international companies seeking to grow their operations in the U.S.

“We are very excited to offer this year’s Global Landing Pad virtually and hosting an impressive cohort of businesses from around the globe,” says Eric Hiraga, DEDO Executive Director. “These scaling companies are exploring landing in and launching their U.S. business operations from Denver. They will add diversity to our economy and community while, building important connections to global markets.”

The GLP is a free business acceleration program providing a virtual introductory tool kit on doing business in Denver and helps companies successfully experience a soft landing and quick expansion.

"The World Trade Center Denver is proud to partner with the city on the Global Landing Pad program, where our network of local international business experts interacts with participants and highlights the Denver business ecosystem," says Karen Gerwitz, WTC Denver President and CEO. "Programs like this one definitely help put Denver on the global stage." 

The 15 participating firms, which have been competitively selected and represent a variety of industries, as well as of established and emergent markets will go through a series of collective workshops with experts holding executive-level discussions on topics such as thought leadership, strategy, business climate, regulatory, legal, and financial frameworks.

In 2019, the GLP hosted nine firms from three countries. 

"The Denver Global Landing Pad was a fantastic personal and professional experience. It was invaluable to see firsthand such a welcoming, collaborative and thriving startup ecosystem. My company was looking for genuine connections in the Denver area, and we certainly found them. Thank you for such a memorable and beneficial experience,” said Michell McDonald with Daisee from Australia, a 2019 GLP participant.

Global Landing Pad 2020 participants: