Enthec, a leading cybersecurity firm based in Madrid, recently took part in the Desafía New York program, an immersive accelerator powered by SOSA and supported by ICEX, Red.es, and INCIBE. Among their impressive results, Enthec successfully closed a POC with an important health tech client, leading to ongoing discussions for future commercial collaborations.
Offering a high-impact experience, access to industry experts, business networks, and targeted workshops, Desafía NY aims to accelerate Spanish cybersecurity startups and scale up their US market expansion efforts.
We had the opportunity to interview Lola Miravet, Enthec’s COO and co-founder, who shared her insights on the program's significant impact, and she shared the following tips to startups aiming to maximize their growth and business impact through acceleration programs:
Optimizing program structure. The balanced schedule of knowledge acquisition, networking with the ecosystem, and personalized agenda implementation within the Desafía NY program was pivotal for Enthec’s market expansion and growth.
Proactive engagement and meeting setup. The program is structured to help you secure the right business meetings with support from expert mentors and the New York-based team. “Arrange meetings of your own before going there. Fill up your agenda! Make the most of your time in New York,” advises Lola Miravet. This proactive approach allowed Enthec to implement key insights on US expansion in real time.
Adopting US business culture. Enthec’s COO highlights the effectiveness of the direct US business culture. She encourages founders to be clear about their needs, set expectations, and ensure their time and services are valued. As a result of understanding this through the program and applying it, this approach contributed to their successful POC during the program with an important client in the Healthcare sector.
Leveraging mentorship for growth. Active engagement with mentors like Lisha Davis, Matthew Webster, Oni Kabir, and Niv Calderon provided Enthec with critical insights and diverse perspectives. This mentorship was pivotal in refining their strategies and identifying new growth avenues.
Building and maintaining a strong network. Engaging in networking events and establishing relationships with key organizations in the cybersecurity ecosystem were crucial for Enthec. The vast network provided by SOSA, ICEX, Red.es, INCIBE, and the ongoing support and collaboration within the program are essential for sustaining their growth and expansion efforts.
Bonus tip: Strategic hiring for market penetration. Following the program, Enthec understood that hiring an SDR in the US could facilitate key meetings and enhance their market penetration.
Enthec’s experience in the Desafía program demonstrates the power of structured mentorship and proactive engagement. Taking Enthec’s COO's strategic advice—arranging meetings in advance, leveraging mentorship, implementing strategies quickly, hiring strategically, adapting messaging, optimizing program structure, and building a strong network—will significantly enhance startups' growth trajectory in the Desafía NY program.
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