Juhi Naithani, founder of bGlobal Consulting, and a Board member of the Indo US Organization for RARE Diseases, participated in the U.S. Expansion Essentials Workshop on May 13, 2025, during the SelectUSA Investment Summit, held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Maryland.

The workshop aimed to demystify the U.S. business landscape by offering practical guidance to international entrepreneurs on navigating regulatory complexities and understanding cultural nuances.

“The workshop served as a critical resource for international startups aiming to establish a foothold in the U.S. market,” said Naithani, who has business operations in India. “By addressing key challenges and providing actionable strategies, the workshop empowered entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and fostered connections that are essential for business success in the United States.”

Naithani explained that the workshop was specifically designed to equip international startups with the tools and knowledge needed for successful market entry. Attendees received comprehensive insights into key areas such as legal frameworks, market entry strategies, business planning, and scaling operations.

Along with fellow panelist Founder and CEO of WebPower USA, Ines Nasri, Naithani participated to the “Marketing and Networking for U.S. Success” track. The session provided hands-on strategies for strategic positioning and emphasized the importance of building effective networks when entering the U.S. market.

“The session emphasized the power of professional networks, illustrating how meaningful connections can open doors to partnerships, customers, mentors, and capital,” added Naithani.

A regular participant at SelectUSA since 2017, Naithani noted that over the past three years she has served as a mentor, speaker, and facilitator with the Select Global Women in Tech (SGWIT) program.

“This summit has been instrumental in expanding my network, reinforcing long-standing connections, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration,” Naithani told South Asian Herald.

Cheryl Edison: Supporting Global Entrepreneurs, Including South Asians

Cheryl Edison, CEO of Edison International and a fellow SGWIT mentor, described her experience at the Summit as opening “an exciting new chapter” in her work supporting entrepreneurs from 75 countries in scaling their ideas into global success stories. Edison facilitated the “Scaling” track.

She shared that over four days she conducted 63 private advisory sessions with CEOs from 51 countries, calling it a “wildly diverse global tour all in one building.”

Edison reaffirmed her commitment to empowering South Asian entrepreneurs both within and outside the U.S.

“I recently returned from Pakistan, my second visit in six months celebrating 10 years of trade relations by expanding entrepreneurship programs and pursue new types of banking access with lower account balance requirements,” Edison told South Asian Herald. “For half a dozen years, I’ve helped Bangladeshi scientists launch innovations in the USA.” 

In June, Edison will launch a new venture in Sri Lanka aimed at helping freelancers convert their high-level digital skills into sales opportunities in the U.S. market.

Other SGWIT Mentors Share Global Collaboration Insights

Rowena Dungca, Partner at Wuersch & Gering, also a SGWIT mentor and facilitator of the Business Strategy and Planning track, emphasized the value of mutual learning.

“As a facilitator and mentor at the Summit, I had the opportunity to have deeper conversations with entrepreneurs from various parts of the world – and the best part was, every exchange was a two-way street of ideas and perspectives. It was a very rewarding and inspiring experience,” Dungca told South Asian Herald.

Other subject matter experts also contributed to the workshop: Francisco Gomez on business strategy and planning; Sophie Alcorn and Simone Williams on legal matters; Daniel Glazer on innovation and business scaling; and Tonya McNeal-Weary and Wade Maleck on operational strategy.

Strong Indian Presence at SelectUSA 2025

The Summit held May 11–14, brought together thousands of participants from over 90 global markets, including economic development organizations (EDOs), investors, and tech startups. Among them were approximately 150 delegates from India.

Director and Head, North America at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Shuchita Sonalika, underscored the Summit’s ongoing significance for Indian businesses.

“The emphasis on greenfield investments in the U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement reflects the strategic importance of this corridor. The strong presence of Indian companies at SelectUSA year after year is a testament to their global aspirations and a deepening commitment to the U.S. market,” Sonalika told South Asian Herald.

Referencing CII’s flagship report, “Indian Roots, American Soil,” she noted that over 160 Indian companies have collectively invested more than $40 billion and created nearly 425,000 jobs in the U.S.

“The real impact, when we factor in contributions from mid-sized businesses, is even more significant,” she said, adding that CII looks forward to strengthening this high-value trade and investment partnership.

U.S. Representative – International Affairs for the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Poornima Shenoy, shared highlights from FICCI’s 2024 delegation of six deep tech startups to the Summit.

“It was a productive trip with great networking, pitch sessions, and learning from speakers. They also got access to potential partners, investors, and locations to set up operations in the U.S.,” Shenoy told South Asian Herald. She emphasized that streamlining selection and visa processes could enable FICCI to bring more delegations in the future.

Newcomers See Value in SelectUSA

Managing Partner of Immigrants First PLLC, Ishan Anand, attended the Summit for the first time.

“It was an incredible opportunity,” Anand told South Asian Herald. “I work directly with businesses to support their global mobility needs and secure investor visas. Being here allowed me to connect with key stakeholders in the investment landscape and gain actionable insights that will directly benefit my clients looking to expand into the U.S.”

Sreejit Nair, director of Client Success at Practus and a member of the India delegation, highlighted his firm’s U.S. expansion strategy.

“Practus is proud to represent India’s vibrant and globally ambitious business community. With an established office in Atlanta, Georgia, and an active client base across multiple states, Practus is now focused on scaling its U.S. operations,” he told South Asian Herald.

Nair added that Practus is committed to driving performance improvement and business transformation across key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, and IT/ITES.

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