Getting Started
U.S. Market Entry Overview
A comprehensive guide to entering the U.S. market as a Korean startup
U.S. Market Entry Overview
Choosing Your Path
Partners Place offers two distinct pathways for Korean companies entering the U.S. market, each designed for different stages of your expansion journey.Portal - Full Entity Formation
Best for: Companies ready to establish permanent U.S. operations
- Delaware C-Corp or LLC formation
- EIN and business banking
- Full legal compliance
- 350/month
Outpost - Sales Without Entity
Best for: Brands testing market fit before committing
- Sell at pop-ups immediately
- No U.S. entity required
- Payment processing included
- 20% of sales + 3% card fees
Decision Framework
Choose Portal When:
- ✅ You have validated product-market fit in the U.S.
- ✅ You need to hire U.S. employees or contractors
- ✅ You’re raising capital from U.S. investors
- ✅ You want to establish long-term U.S. operations
- ✅ You need a U.S. business credit history
Choose Outpost When:
- ✅ You want to test U.S. market response first
- ✅ You’re participating in pop-ups or temporary events
- ✅ You want to avoid upfront incorporation costs
- ✅ You prefer to focus solely on sales and product
- ✅ You’re not ready for full U.S. tax obligations
Common Progression Path
Many successful Korean brands follow this journey:1
Market Validation
Start with Outpost to test products at pop-ups and gauge U.S. consumer interest
2
Data Collection
Gather sales data, customer feedback, and identify top-performing products
3
Entity Formation
Once validated, use Portal to establish your U.S. entity
4
Scale Operations
Expand from pop-ups to permanent retail, e-commerce, and wholesale
Timeline Comparison
Portal Timeline
- Week 1: Initial consultation and document preparation
- Week 2: Entity formation and EIN application
- Week 3-4: Business banking setup
- Ongoing: Monthly compliance and support
Outpost Timeline
- Day 1: Sign agreement and receive payment processing setup
- Day 2: Ready to sell at your first event
- Monthly: Receive sales reports and bank transfers
Cost Analysis
Portal Investment
| Item | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Formation | $2,500 | One-time |
| Monthly Maintenance | $350 | Monthly |
| Year 1 Total | $6,700 |
Outpost Investment
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | $0 | No upfront costs |
| Commission | 20% | Of gross sales |
| Card Processing | 3% | Industry standard |
| Total Cost | 23% | Of sales only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Outpost to Portal later?
Can I switch from Outpost to Portal later?
Yes! Many clients start with Outpost to validate their market and then transition to Portal. We’ll help transfer your sales history and customer data.
Do I need to visit the U.S. for either service?
Do I need to visit the U.S. for either service?
No. Both Portal and Outpost can be set up entirely remotely. We handle all U.S.-side requirements.
What about U.S. taxes?
What about U.S. taxes?
Portal clients receive guidance on U.S. tax obligations. Outpost clients don’t need to worry about U.S. taxes - we handle all tax reporting for the sales we process.
Can I use both services simultaneously?
Can I use both services simultaneously?
Absolutely! Some clients maintain Outpost for pop-up sales while using their Portal entity for other business activities.