For many European founders, entering the United States startup ecosystem can feel like stepping into a completely different world. To better understand these nuances, we spoke with Andrej Nagy, CEO of Upfan, an innovative ticketing platform designed to eliminate fraud and enhance fan engagement. 

Andrej’s startup journey began in the UK, where he launched the company while studying at university and immersing himself in the local tech scene. Later relocating to Slovakia, strong traction across various startup competitions - including winning the prestigious Disruptor Award and being named the Most Innovative Ticketing Platform of 2025 in a global competition at the Ticketing Business Awards 2025 - eventually led the Upfan team across the Atlantic, making trips to Silicon Valley and New York within a single year. 

Drawing from his firsthand experience building relationships across Slovakia, the UK, and the USA, Andrej shared key takeaways on what it takes to adapt to the American market.

Decoding US politeness and directness

One of the first things a founder notices when landing in the USA. is how direct and efficient the business culture is. People appreciate when you get straight to the point and respect their time. At the same time, Americans are famously open, friendly, and willing to jump on a quick call or make warm introductions without expecting anything in return. For Andrej, this stood in clear contrast to the more reserved networking environments of the UK and Central Europe.

This ecosystem thrives on a collaborative, pay-it-forward mindset: “If I help you today, someone will help me tomorrow.” However, all that friendliness can make it hard for founders to tell if a potential customer or investor is actually interested. 

During a startup bootcamp in New York, a mentor shared a crucial lesson with Andrej that stuck with him: “If a New Yorker says ‘That’s interesting,’ it usually means it isn’t.”

Friendly enthusiasm is just the standard way Americans chat. Genuine interest sounds different. It shows up in sharp, concrete follow-up questions, such as: 

• How did you land those specific accounts?
• What’s your growth plan for next year?

Learning to spot the difference between polite cheerleading and real interest is the first major skill a founder needs to learn.

Boldness as the default language of ambition

In Europe, saying your new startup will become a billion-dollar company can sound unrealistic or overly bold. Investors there usually expect modest projections backed by cautious, proven numbers. In the US venture landscape, however, the approach is completely opposite. Bold vision isn't seen as boasting, it’s actually a requirement.

"If you don’t believe your startup can become massive, why should they? It taught me that confidence, backed by data, isn’t bragging over there, it’s the default language of ambition," notes Andrej Nagy. 

Pitching in the USA requires keeping the narrative short, confident, and laser-focused on vision and traction. Key metrics, such as:

• Letters of Intent (LOIs), 
• paying clients, 
• a clear sales pipeline, 

provide the proof, but a massive vision supplies the scale. Investors want to see that you aren't just building a good startup, but potentially a global unicorn dominating its niche.

A tale of two "R"s: Risk vs. Revenue

Perhaps the most fundamental mindset gap between European and American venture ecosystems comes down to how each market defines the letter "R."

In Europe, investors often analyze a startup through the lens of Risk, probing for upside limits and operational vulnerabilities. In the USA, the lens shifts entirely to Revenue, and investors want to know how fast you can grow and how big the payoff can be.

This simple shift in perspective completely transforms how founders pitch and how investors evaluate potential.

Turning connections into lasting collaboration

A common concern among international founders is whether warm networking encounters in the USA fade once you fly home. However, promptness and openness in American business extend beyond initial meetings.

Following up with people Andrej met in Silicon Valley and New York led to strong, ongoing conversations and real opportunities to work together. When Americans say "Let's stay in touch," they usually mean it. As long as you reach out quickly and follow through.

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