FAQs

A. The IBA is sector agnostic. Cohort companies are selected according to varied criteria. Two key factors are the strength and dedication of the executive team and the global potential of the product/service.

A. Yes we can. The IBA’s Accelerator is a 90 Day intensive and personalized curriculum to escort your company into international expansion. We realize not every company will meet the 90 Day timeline so we remain available to all participants until they make that first international deal, be it a sale, partnership, joint venture or equivalent.

For InboundLA and 1:1 agreements with US companies, we establish joint expectations on day one and work together to meet those expectations.

For the IBA's online accelerator, we establish the same expectations as above and also offer a money-back guarantee up to 33% completion of the curriculum.

A. First, participants can take advantage of select perks and a dealbook of over $75,000 in credits and deals including $10,000 in AWS, up to $20,000 in Google Cloud and free G-Suite, KPMG's accounting software, data analytics platforms and more.

As of mid-2020 the IBA Online Accelerator debut price is $2495. Price is likely to increase in 2021.

Before the Covid pandemic As of 2020, accelerator program fees are currently $3K which averages to a 15-20X based on the typical first international sale of $45,000 to $60,000. More importantly, the investment is pennies vis a vis your costs to fix mistakes and view blind spots in items like intellectual property protection, cross-border taxation, international contracts, regulatory controls and other unforeseen items.

How? Consider most international experts such as attorneys and CPAs charge $300-$500 per hour. We’ve seen companies start haphazardly only to pay each of their specialists multiples of $3000 to fix one mistake to get them back on track to growth and profit.

At the very least, if you work with us and have a US entity, for $3K you'll get $10K in AWS and a customized a global growth strategy sculpted with you by experts.

A. Yes. The IBA periodically teams up with industry experts to offer sector specific cohorts and programs such as the Winter 2018-’19 IBA Blockchain for Global Growth accelerator at USC's Marshall School of Business. It included a dedicated intern and access to subject matter experts for blockchain implementation and cross-border growth. One participant received a $225K check and another fielded acquisition offers.

A. No. No. No. Funding readiness and investor introductions are part of the curriculum. Pitch coaching and deck review are included. An IBA leader chairs the Los Angeles Venture Association's committee for global founders meeting funders. The IBA was launched in part with a past-president of Tech Coast Angels. But no, you will surrender no equity.

A. Well, we wish you luck. According to the Institute for International Economics, US companies that export grow faster, innovate more and are less likely to go out of business. The better questions is, do you prefer to struggle or flourish? You can limit your market to the 325M US population. Or go after the 7.6B global consumers. In financial terms, 80% of the world’s purchasing power and 95% of consumers are found outside the US. That luck we wished you above…you’ll need it if your focus is domestic only.

A. Absolutely. The IBA does not compete with other acceleration and entrepreneurial programs. We complement them by preparing your company for international operations, revenue and profit. The IBA typically has companies in each cohort concurrently involved with another incubator/accelerator. We work in tandem with other startup and entrepreneurial program leaders. In fact, we share many mentors and advisors with accelerators around town. As we do not take equity, there is no concern or conflict with equity dilution.

A. First off, the IBA prepares you for exponential growth therefore making your company more competitive in the application process to other programs. As mentioned, we work with most of the ecosystem’s entrepreneurial program leaders.

Secondly, 80% of the IBA curriculum is implemented on your schedule. In each cohort there are several mandatory in-person workshops with industry expert presentations and some hands-on strategy work. The workshops are designed to be an exercise in crafting a high-level growth perspective and creating a global entity with international customers and revenue. Exit interviews show founders enjoy the rare opportunity to sit back and dream big. Access to mentors and implementation of the IBA curriculum is predominantly according to your schedule. In short, the IBA makes you a stronger candidate to other programs and the international growth plan is done on your schedule.

A. Physical goods, online sales, digital distribution and services provided are one and the same to regulatory enforcement agencies. First, every foreign jurisdiction sees anything sold to, and used by, its citizens as taxable at a certain monetary threshold . Abide by these regulations or risk massive fines and penalties at the least. In the IBA, you’ll have access to office hours and consultation with KPMG, a top four global accounting firm and international contract attorneys. In that sense, you’ll get back the $2500 program fee in consultation, not to mention security and peace of mind for the future.

Second, data privacy and other regulatory controls differ in each country and region. They must be adhered to in order to market, sell and conduct business.

Thirdly, local customization of your branding and marketing is what separates successful entities from also-rans. Think eBay & Amazon vis a vis Alibaba and Tao Bao in the Asian markets. You’ll have a chance to work through all aspects of global strategy from the black and white tax and regulations to the conceptual strategy of foreign market dominance.

A. For the nominal program fee, the IBA doubles down on your existing processes and accelerates the access to new revenue and client pool in new markets. Every company receives personalized services based on needs.

Second, data privacy and other regulatory controls differ in each country and region. They must be adhered to in order to market, sell and conduct business.

A. Each cohort typically has at least one company with millions in Series A or B funding. If a cohort system doesn’t work for your company, the IBA offers on-demand acceleration programs.

For pre-revenue companies, we only accept applications from products and services with global potential. Of course, if you don’t make that first international sale in 90 days, we continue to work with you until you do.

The other answer is, of course, do the online accelerator and you still get access to our expertise and network.

A: For cohorts: The first international sale in 90 days. Founders bring ambition and dedication to making that first foreign market transaction in 90 days. That ‘transaction’ can be a partnership, distribution deal, functional and profitable B2C plan or anything generating revenue. For new-to-export companies, it means generating revenue in the chosen foreign market. For companies already selling abroad, it’s a new market entry or solidification and expansion of existing sales.

For the online accelerator: We both decide expectations before we start the program.

A. First, a newly global perspective on business which in turn changes administrative structure, team building, IP protection, marketing and branding, financing and more. Second, validation of the product or service’s competitiveness in the cross-border destination market. Lastly, revamped funding readiness. In addition to learning about the finance tools only available to US exporters, your pitch deck will reflect the earnings and customer acquisition potential of new cross-border expansion.

A. The IBA is an economic development engine with public-private partnerships. We introduce and facilitate usage of city, county, state, federal and foreign national initiatives and resources. The IBA has a stable of experts from KPMG, international banks, advanced technology and cryptocurrency experts, IP and cross-border contract lawyers, international employment experts, pitch coaches and more.

A. The IBA is a program of a 510 (c) (3) and donations are fully tax deductible. You may donate any amount to underwrite any program or recipient on which we agree. Full scholarship for a veteran owned business? Sure. Underwrite a full cohort of women-founders, yes we can do that. Underwrite a program serving founders from your country or culture? Yes, that too. Contact us to see what we can create together.