Soft Landing & Trade Assistance
Your partner for entering new markets
Whether your company is establishing a U.S. presence in Virginia or expanding into global markets, VEDP provides hands-on soft landing and trade assistance. We help international and Virginia-based companies make informed market entry decisions by offering local expertise, market intelligence, regulatory guidance, and connections to trusted partners — so you can expand with confidence.
VEDP, Richmond
What Virginia offers international businesses
What Virginia offers international businesses
Virginia’s International Soft Landing Support helps global companies establish and grow their U.S. operations. From your first real estate decision to hiring your first Virginian, we provide the tools, insights, and in-market expertise that simplify the process of entering the U.S. market and building long‑term success.
Flexible, affordable office solutions:
Access cost‑effective, scalable office space through Virginia partners, including discounted options for qualifying international companies establishing U.S. operations.
Expert regulatory guidance:
Receive one‑on‑one guidance on federal, state, and local regulations, business formation, industry‑specific requirements, taxes, and immigration considerations.
Strategic network access:
Connect with Virginia’s business ecosystem, including industry clusters, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and startup and innovation hubs.
Actionable market intelligence:
Make data‑driven decisions with customized insights on U.S. market demand, customer segments, competitors, and growth opportunities.
University partnerships:
Partner with Virginia’s top‑tier research universities to access talent pipelines, R&D capabilities, and commercialization support.
Accelerators & mentorship:
Engage with accelerators, mentors, and industry experts who help international companies refine business models and scale in the U.S.
Why international companies choose Virginia for U.S. expansion
Virginia offers a strategic launchpad for international companies entering or expanding in the U.S. market, with a diverse and highly educated workforce, outstanding quality of life, pro-business policies, and cost-effective operating environment.
Washington Dulles International Airport
international firms
jobs supported by majority foreign-owned companies statewide
Volvo Trucks North America, Pulaski Countyglobal companies have come to Virginia over past decade
in Virginia exports
Trade assistance that helps
Virginia companies expand globally
We help Virginia‑based companies turn export goals into measurable results by identifying new international markets, developing market entry strategies, optimizing their supply chains, and locating distributors and representatives.
Norfolk Harbor
Award-winning support for global growth
Whether your company is entering its first international market or expanding existing export activity, VEDP helps Virginia businesses grow globally. Through expert guidance, international market research, trade missions, and more, our International Trade programs help companies identify buyers, distributors, and partners worldwide.
Programs & Grants
Programs & Grants
Access a suite of programs and grants to develop a strategy for exporting and grow in international markets.
International Market Research
International Market Research
Find trusted partners or get up to speed on the latest regulations with in-country research, product classification, export compliance, supply chain research, and more.
International Trade Shows & Appointments
International Trade Shows & Appointments
Meet potential customers and partners to deepen international relationships and exhibit at international trade shows.
Publications & Trainings
Publications & Trainings
Access a wide range of export how-to guides and industry reports and learn about international trade topics from subject matter experts.
A connected, global network
Success Stories
Why companies
succeed in Virginia
The LEGO Group, Chesterfield County
We were impressed with all that Virginia has to offer, from access to a skilled workforce, support for high-quality manufacturers, and great transport links. We appreciate support for our ambition to build a carbon-neutral-run facility and construct a solar park and are looking forward to building a great team with support from the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.
Aeroprobe Corporation, Christianburg
It's really fantastic to have resources to help us first identify if there is a market, if it's the right market for us, or if we should be focused on a different market at this time.
Nestlé USA, Arlington County
When we thought about relocating our headquarters, it was really about finding the right location that gave us access to the right talent and the right kind of infrastructure we needed to succeed for the next 100 years, and that turned out to be Virginia. What we found in Northern Virginia is the talent we need to win, and it’s exceeded our expectations.
Meet your international partners
Audrey Polk leads initiatives that support growth across Virginia’s Knowledge Work industries, including aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, technology, business and financial services, helping companies evaluate the Commonwealth as a destination for investment and expansion.
Meghan Welch leads strategy development and execution to advance Virginia’s Knowledge Work sectors, including business and financial services, tech and cyber, and aerospace and defense innovation.
Lindsey supports Virginia companies pursuing international growth by providing export research, market intelligence, and trade guidance. Her work includes managing global research initiatives and helping businesses identify opportunities in markets around the world.
Mary leads international trade program operations at VEDP, overseeing grant funding and strategic initiatives that help Virginia companies grow globally. Her work focuses on improving program delivery and supporting hundreds of businesses through international trade resources, events, and funding opportunities.
Scott supports event planning and program coordination efforts at VEDP, helping manage trade shows and initiatives that support Virginia’s economic development activities. With more than 25 years at the organization, he brings experience in project management, vendor coordination, and event operations.
Frequently asked questions
A soft landing program helps international companies establish operations in a new country by providing local expertise, office space solutions, regulatory guidance, market intelligence, and access to business networks.
VEDP provides hands‑on soft landing support, including introductions to local partners, help navigating regulations, workforce and university connections, and customized market insights.
International companies looking to establish or expand U.S. operations — particularly in knowledge‑based, manufacturing, and growth industries — may qualify for Virginia’s soft landing services.
Yes. Virginia supports new and experienced exporters with expert guidance, international market research, trade mission and trade show support, programs, and grants through VEDP International Trade.
Virginia‑based companies of all sizes — from first‑time exporters to experienced global businesses — can access international trade support through VEDP.