Choosing a US headquarters location

Where are you headed?

When and where to establish headquarters

First, do not assume that you need a US headquarters right away. Yes, having an office on the ground establishes credibility while helping to bring employees together, generate excitement, and increase their buy-in, however, this move is expensive and is not necessary on Day-1, especially given the COVID-accelerated preference for remote work.

According to GTM growth advisor Simon Peel, “The dirty little secret is most US sales these days are done remotely; most clients prefer online meetings over in-person sales."

He suggests that organisation size should factor into the decision to have (or not have) an office. “Look at the business plan, and if it’s 20+ people in the first year, look for a location,” he says. But if it’s going to be 5-7 people, they’re not going to benefit from travelling hours, just to sit in an office and look at each other.”

How to select a headquarters' location

Recognise that your industry does not necessarily lock you into a specific headquarter location. Let the following criteria guide your decision-making process:

Accessibility from the UK: Collaboration between the UK and the East Coast of the US is generally easier than the West Coast due to time zones.
The depth of specialised talent in the area: Does a given area have access to the skills you need? Where are your future staff likely to be based? Locating in a city where your competitors are based is actually a good idea as there can be better access to relevant talent.
State and local taxation: Be aware of state-to-state differences in taxation (Delaware and Texas are common states for incorporating in the US for this reason). Get outsourced back-office support to assist with filings.
State-specific regulatory rules: The majority of US states recognise non- competes but there are a few that totally ban these agreements such as Californian, North Dakota and Oklahoma.
Localised costs: How is the cost of living in a given area? What about the cost of hiring local talent, compared to other areas? What is the average lease length in each area you are considering? Will employees be expected to travel extensively in the US – if so, centrally located hubs like Chicago, Dallas or Denver could be best. Regional variance: Is the local market primed for growth? Does the pace of life in the area support growth in your sector? If supply chain matters to you, does the area meet your requirements?
Ease of travel: Locate your operations near an international airport with frequent, direct flights to the major US cities and business hubs. Also consider drive times to nearby cities when choosing a US HQ location.
Politics: The variance of state policies on a wide range of topics may or may not align with a given company’s culture and values.

Location considerations:
Think beyond Silicon Valley

While there is still opportunity to be had in the famed technology areas in the US, our experts recommend exploring the following alternative areas:

Technology: Austin, TX; Salt Lake City, Utah,Research Triangle Park, NC; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL
Finance: New York, NY; Charlotte, NC
IT: New York, NY; Boston, MA
Oil and Gas: Houston, TX; U.S. Gulf Coast states
Biotech and Medtech: Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL; Irvine, CA; San Diego, CA; Research Triangle Park, NC

To help you make decisions around location visit:

US Expansion Partners

"Generally speaking industry sector doesn’t matter when choosing a city location. I built a global fintech company from Raleigh NC. Our best competitor in the market built their company in Vancouver. A good airport is a must, and frankly, coming from the UK it is best to set up shop on the East Coast due to the time difference.

“I recommend Washington DC, Charlotte, Raleigh, Philadelphia and Atlanta as cities with talent, reasonable costs and good airports.” - Bill Spruill