Rumo aos EUA: MasterClass de internacionalização

Dia 09 de Julho | 9h30 – 13h00 | Morais Leitão

On July 9th, AmCham Portugal, in collaboration with Drummond Advisors and with the support of Morais Leitão, hosted the MasterClass “Heading to the USA”, an event dedicated to supporting Portuguese companies in their strategic preparation for the U.S. market.

The session took place at the Morais Leitão offices in Lisbon and offered a comprehensive, practical, and strategic overview of the internationalization process, helping to demystify the legal, tax, and operational complexities associated with entering the U.S. market.

One economy, fifty different realities
Graça Didier, Secretary-General of AmCham Portugal, opened the session with a presentation focused on the specificities of the American market. She emphasized the need to view the U.S. not as a single market, but as a collection of state economies, each with its own rules, distinct opportunities, and different investment dynamics. “Choosing the right place to invest is as important as the product or service being offered,” she stated, reinforcing that success in this market requires a differentiated value proposition, a well-defined strategy, and the ability to adapt.

Legal perspective and structural opportunities
Next came the intervention by Rui de Oliveira Neves, Partner at Morais Leitão, who addressed the U.S. tax and regulatory context and how it differs from the European one. He highlighted the role of equity capital in U.S. business financing, in contrast to Europe’s heavy reliance on bank debt, underlining that the American tax system is designed to favor equity-based investment. He also discussed different internationalization models — from joint ventures to direct investment — and emphasized the importance of having a local presence: “It’s difficult to be in the U.S. while being remotely managed from Portugal.”

Essential steps for internationalization
The final part of the masterclass was led by Ana Gabriela Francelli, Director of Legal Operations, and Maikon Luiz, USA Coordinator, both from Drummond Advisors. The experts presented a practical guide to the various stages of internationalization to the U.S., including:

• Market research and product validation;

• Legal structure (LLC, Corporation) and tax implications;

• Trademark registration and intellectual property protection;

• Tax planning;

• Immigration processes and team hiring;

• Attracting investment and financial resources.
  The speakers also stressed the importance of a local presence and maintaining brand identity in the new market, as well as the relevance of a culturally aligned approach: “The American consumer values direct contact — it’s a face-to-face business culture,” they noted.

Drummond Advisors is a consulting firm specializing in transactions between any country and the United States, offering an integrated service with certified, bilingual accountants and lawyers who possess deep knowledge of the U.S. legal and tax environment. With over 14 years of experience, Drummond has supported more than 11,500 clients on their internationalization journey, backed by a team of over 300 professionals and offices in Boston, Miami, Orlando, São Paulo, and Belo Horizonte.

As part of this Masterclass, two U.S. market internationalization support guides produced by Drummond Advisors were also made available:

📘 Visa Guide: Learn about the main types of visas and the criteria for living, working, and doing business in the United States.
📘 Company Formation Guide: Discover how to establish a company in the U.S. and the key factors to consider in the process.

Conclusion and networking
The event concluded with a networking brunch that provided an opportunity for informal exchange and experience sharing between participants and experts.

With this masterclass, AmCham Portugal reinforces its role as a strategic facilitator of internationalization, offering tools, knowledge, and a partner network to support Portuguese companies in entering and consolidating their presence in the U.S. market.

About the event

Internationalizing your business goes far beyond simply establishing a legal entity in a new territory. To take this important step in your company’s journey with confidence and security, it is essential to do so in a planned manner, understanding the operational impacts and mitigating financial, legal, and tax risks.

Expanding a business to the United States represents a unique growth opportunity, but also comes with a set of challenges that require preparation, strategy, and in-depth knowledge of the local market. This masterclass has been specifically designed to support Portuguese companies aspiring to take this step, offering a practical and realistic overview of the internationalization process to the U.S.

Throughout the session, the key factors to consider when entering this highly competitive and demanding market will be addressed. Guest experts will share their knowledge and experience, empowering participants to make informed decisions and define a solid path toward successful internationalization.

Agenda

9:30 AM – AmCham Portugal

• Welcome remarks

• Why the U.S. market should be on your radar – Graça Didier, Secretary-General, AmCham Portugal

9:45 AM – Morais Leitão presentation – Rui de Oliveira Neves, Partner Morais Leitão.
10:05 AM – Internationalization MasterClass – Led by Drummond Advisors, Ana Gabriela Francelli, Director of Legal Operations, and Maikon Luiz, USA Coordinator
Market research | Trademark registration | Business formation |Corporate structure | Tax planning |
Immigration process | Hiring and expatriating employees | Fundraising and investment
11:30 AM – Q&A
12:00 PM – Networking Brunch