J-1 Soft Landing Program

Overview and Objectives

The ENRICH Soft Landing program serves as a platform through which European tech entrepreneurs from Europe - and from Associated Countries - can test their offer and launch their ventures in North America at reduced risks and costs in a welcoming industry-focus ecosystem and vetted network at a Research University’s incubator or "Innovation Center".

The Objectives are to:

  • Enter a targeted ecosystem by sending your first champion to North America with temporary/low cost visa solutions;
  • Run Proof of Concept and Pilots;
  • Meet new strategic partners and potential clients;
  • Reimagine your product/solution’s roadmap, R&D and IP strategy, design, delivery, and packaging for a North American market;
  • Access local funding and grant for research and commercialization.

The Soft Landing Program is intended to be utilized after the ENRICH Immersion Programs and after the ENRICH Virtual Landing Programs as/if needed.

 

Program Benefits 

During an average of 24 months (up to 5 years), the Innovators/Entrepreneurs/tech SMEs will explore one ecosystem within the ENRICH Network Centers and Specialized Hubs. This structured program includes mentoring, consulting, training, events/activities, and a dedicated desk with an average of 12-15 hours a month of services between the ENRICH staff and coordinator, mentors and the SBDC consultant (for the USA only)*.

*The ENRICH in the USA Soft Landing Program, offers desk in a US University Incubator, and gives access to its connected Small Business Development Center (SBDC) services. Partially funded by the U.S. Government Agency Small Business Administration (SBA), the SBDC Network; is the largest and most successful network of assistance to the small- and medium-size enterprises in the United States supporting annually more than $4 billion in new sales and $3 billion in new financing for over 750,000 clients-businesses.

 

Program Components & Commitments

Our program is designed around 4 main components: 

 

In addition, in the US, research universities are opened up to European Entrepreneurs via their Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). The participants in our Soft-Landing program in the US can take advantage of the local SBDC selected by ENRICH to be associated with their local hub. ENRICH in the USA especially partners with SBDCs hosted by leading research universities which are highly trained to work with tech entrepreneurs. Each SBDCs is part of a large network of 950+ centers across the US serving +750,000 small-and medium-size enterprises annually.

Each SBDCs provide free of charge services to entrepreneurs and small business owners.  Their consulting team will assist you in key areas that are critical to growing your business and building a strong foundation for success. This includes a review of your market entry/business plan, legal clinics, access to US companies database as needed, and on-demand one-on-one technical and managerial assistance with a dedicated SBDC consultant. This one-on-one consulting is confidential and provided at no charge by a staff of skilled professionals.


 

In exchange for these services, your team is committing to:

Additionally, for the US soft landing : 


Pricing

Depending on the location and the size of the desk/office, from USD 1,400 to USD 2,500 per month, quarterly paid to Temple University SBDC, the ENRICH lead coordinator in the United States. 



How to Apply

To apply, simply fill out the application form on F6S - link below. We will be in touch after reviewing your application. 


To see our J-1 vetted incubators - please visit our Soft Landing Hubs page.

 

 APPLICATION FORM