How to Expand Internationally Without Costly Mistakes | Europe vs US Growth with Bernt Klein

In this episode of The Start-Up Saga, we explore one of the most exciting — and demanding — stages of the founder journey: international expansion. Together with Bernt Klein, we discuss what it really takes to scale a business across countries, cultures, and continents. From choosing the right market to entering the US from Europe, adapting your leadership style, and building high-performing international teams, this conversation is full of practical lessons for founders preparing for global growth. Our Guest: Bernt Klein Bernt Klein is the Founder and CEO of EXTIGON, a cross-border deep-tech venture builder, and a seasoned international executive with decades of experience scaling technology businesses across North America, Europe, and Asia. Throughout his career, Bernt has held senior leadership positions at Siemens, Bosch, and T-Systems, where he led commercial growth and international expansion across multiple industries, including healthcare IT, telecommunications, digital twins, energy software, and industrial technology. Today, he advises startups, serves on company boards, and helps founders navigate the complexities of international growth. What You'll Learn in This Episode • When is the right time to expand internationally? • How to choose the right market for your startup • The biggest mistakes European startups make when entering the US • The biggest misconceptions US companies have about Europe • How culture influences sales, leadership, and hiring • Building and leading international teams across different time zones • How to adapt your go-to-market strategy for different countries • What founders should know before scaling globally Who This Episode Is For This episode is especially valuable if you are: • A founder considering international expansion • Building a B2B or SaaS company • Growing between Seed and Series A • Entering the US market from Europe • Expanding your team across multiple countries • Looking for practical lessons from someone who has built businesses globally International Expansion Is More Than Opening a New Office Cross-border growth isn't simply about selling in another country. It requires understanding different cultures, different buying behaviours, different leadership expectations, and different ways of building trust. Bernt shares lessons from decades of leading organisations across Europe, North America, and Asia, offering founders a practical perspective on what changes — and what stays the same — when companies begin operating globally. The Start-Up Saga Podcast Hosted by Iulia Oprea & Nick Pearce Founding Sponsors: Alexander Daniels Global Dragon Coaching House About our guest: Bernt Klein on LinkedIn    http://www.extigon.com