The first 5 minutes: How US investors decide if you're worth their time

Categories
Business, Business Growth, Entrepreneurs

In the investment world, attention is the most valuable currency. Investors review hundreds of decks, take dozens of meetings each month, and make rapid judgments about where to spend their time. As a result, they often decide within the first five minutes whether they want to continue the conversation—or move on. For founders, this means […]

5 key differences in American and CEE investors

Categories
Business, Business Growth, CEE, Entrepreneurs, United States

When Central European startups approach US investors, it's common to assume that a strong product, traction, and solid metrics will automatically speak for themselves. In reality, what often determines success—or failure—is not just the business case, but the mindset founders bring to the table. Understanding the cultural and strategic expectations of US investors can make [...]

How Gatorade started small and became a giant

Categories
Business, Entrepreneurs, Florida, United States

When people talk about the American dream or iconic business success stories, they often point to big personalities, large investments, or dramatic breakthroughs. But the origins of the sports drink Gatorade tell a quieter, more practical story: one that young entrepreneurs can learn something from today. Gainesville, Florida, 1965: A team of University of Florida […]

What average-income Americans are really buying

Categories
Business, CEE, Culture, United States

When average-income Americans earning around $50k to $100k make purchases, they're not simply buying products. They're buying stability, simplicity, and, most of all, time. And the habits behind these decisions often look very different from what's typical in Central and Eastern Europe. One of the biggest things Americans "buy" is predictability. In a life filled [...]

Black Friday lessons: How European brands can succeed in the US.

Categories
Business, Culture, United States

Dating back decades, Black Friday comes directly after Thanksgiving, which makes it not just a sales event but the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. It is a high-intensity shopping event, driven by massive discounts, limited-time offers, and the thrill of finding the best deals. Stores open early, both online and in-person promotions compete […]

American vs CEE advertising: key differences in tone, humor and consumer expectations

Categories
Business, Culture, Europe, United States

When a brand or campaign spreads beyond its home turf, the tonal nuance and cultural tapestry are just as critical as the message itself. The contrast between advertising in the United States and advertising across Central & Eastern Europe (CEE). Even though globalization has leveled out aesthetics, the way brands communicate still varies widely. Those variations are […]

When Even the US President Comments on a Logo Change – Lessons from Cracker Barrel

Categories
Business, Culture, United States

At a recent Rotary Club meeting here in the US, I was sitting at a table with the marketing and communications director of one of Florida's largest hospitals. She raised an interesting question: "What do you think about Cracker Barrel changing its logo? What does it mean professionally, and how does it feel personally?" That […]

USA Accelerator builds a business future – A look back at the Hungarian Summit 2025 Business session

Categories
Business

The business section of the Hungarian Summit 2025 once again proved that Hungarian-American economic relations are not only alive, but also actively developing – and the USA Accelerator plays a key role in this development, as the main sponsor of the business program this year, helping to implement the professional content. The business section of the event created a platform where strategic thinking, innovation and international […]

Storytelling in the American business world – How to build a narrative that converts

Categories
Business, Business Growth

In the American business world, storytelling is no longer just a marketing buzzword, but a proven strategic tool that plays a crucial role in the success of companies. The power of narratives goes far beyond traditional advertising – it creates an emotional connection that influences customer decisions and builds long-term loyalty. Why does storytelling work in American stores? Narratives […]