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Venture Capital Investment and Regulation: An IVLP Project for Slovenia

From December 7-11, 2024, Global Ties San Francisco hosted the Venture Capital Investment and Regulation: Learning from the U.S. Model delegation of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Meridian International Center.

During their visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, our ten Slovenian leaders from governmental, financial, and legal sectors explored venture capital best practices. Meetings arranged offered impactful insights into the U.S. regulatory landscape, taxation models, and investment strategies, cultivating key opportunities for dialogue.

Our Professional Meetings

Clearstone Venture Partners

Kicking off the delegation’s visit, the first meeting featured Vish Mishra of Clearstone Venture Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. Mishra, a seasoned Silicon Valley venture capitalist and entrepreneur, provided insights into the U.S. venture capital landscape and the essential ecosystem required for its success. He emphasized the importance of mentors, investors, and a positive yet realistic mindset, highlighting the key factors that VCs typically consider when evaluating investment opportunities: team, talent, and track record.

The Deep-Tech Community and VC Nest

A subsequent meeting with the Deep-Tech Community and VC Nest further expounded on the life of startup founders in Silicon Valley and the VC ecosystem. Visitors heard from Arjun Subedi with the Deep-Tech Community, a network of researchers, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts focused on advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) deep-tech innovation. Alongside him were Lochan Alagh and Badru Valani, co-founders of VC Nest, a VC firm and coworking space focused on fostering the innovation of scalable businesses by building an ecosystem of fund managers. The speakers addressed their important work and potential strategies for Slovenian VCs.

Consulate General of Denmark, Silicon Valley – Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK)

Another impactful meeting with the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley explored examined the history and role of Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) — which provides services to educational and research institutions, companies, public stakeholders, and Danish citizens looking to expand innovation through access to Silicon Valley. Consul General Jesper Kamp, Asger Bruhn, and Sweeta Ali highlighted ICDK’s unique model in the United States, addressing topics including tax relief or credits options for investors, and how to kickstart investments and develop a strong track record.

Woodside Capital Partners

Following this, the visitors met with Woodside Capital Partners, a leading corporate finance advisory firm for tech companies in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and financings in the $30M – $500m segment. Managing Partner Rudy Burger and Executive Director Rajesh Shakkarwar led a conversation on M&A trends, emphasizing key differences between European and American companies. They also highlighted challenges such as aligning with founders’ expectations and understanding the gap between a company’s value and the capital it raises. The group appreciated both the candid market insights and the strategic connections offered for future opportunities.

500 Global

Another noteworthy discussion with 500 Global further revealed aspects of the venture capital landscape in Silicon Valley. Recognized as one of the world’s most active early-stage VC firms, 500 Global specializes in backing fast-growing startups across industries. During the session, the team shared an overview of their in-person accelerator program, which enables companies to gain firsthand exposure to the U.S. market without the need to fully relocate to California.

Kumo.AI

A final exceptional session for the visitors was with Kumo.AI, a technology company whose machine learning (ML) infrastructure simplifies the training and deployment of ML models on complex data. CEO Vanja Josifovski touched on what entrepreneurship looks like in Silicon Valley, reflecting that the region is focused and things move quickly. He also shared that the ability to mobilize talent is the key to success. The group appreciated these perspectives, as well as further dialogue on privacy, AI, copyrights, data storage, and more.

Cultural Experiences in San Francisco

Sightseeing

The visitors had an amazing time exploring San Francisco! They had the opportunity to wander through the towering trees of Muir Woods, experience the eclectic vibe of Haight-Ashbury, admire the Palace of Fine Arts, and experience the vibrant culture and colors of Chinatown.

Exchanges Impact

This global exchange program with Slovenia highlighted the significance of building ongoing relationships between Slovenian and U.S. investors. During the visit, the group explored best practices in venture capital regulation, policies and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, and the importance of collaboration to drive economic growth. The group’s cultural experiences also gave them the opportunity to see firsthand the innovative and driven environment of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, while deepening their perspectives on the U.S. cultures and society.

Author: Valleigh Brechtel, Spring 2025 Intern
Editor: Alannah Crandall

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Celebrating Muir Woods on International Day of Forests

International Visitors enjoying Muir Woods National Monument

The United Nations International Day of Forests is recognized on the 21st of March to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The 2025 theme, Forests and Foods, highlights the vital role of forests in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. Beyond providing sustenance and income, forests support ecosystems, protect water and soil, and offer habitats for biodiversity, among other benefits.

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, Muir Woods National Monument — proclaimed a National Monument in 1908 to protect and preserve the land — is one of the last remaining forested areas of coast Redwood trees. These giant evergreens can stand up to 79 meters tall and average between 600 and 800 years old, with the oldest being at least 1,200 years old. The park is home to 380 different plants and animals, ranging from bats that find refuge in tree cavities to Coho salmon and steelhead trout that swim in the clear waters of Redwood Creek.

Known for its towering stand of old-growth coast Redwood trees, Muir Woods attracts visitors from all over the world to experience this unique breathtaking ecosystem. Beyond its natural beauty, Muir Woods is also a site of profound historical significance, where nature, diplomacy, and the pursuit of peace intersect.

Did you know San Francisco is the birthplace of the United Nations, and Muir Woods played a symbolic role in its founding?

During a pivotal time in history, as World War II neared its end, world leaders convened in San Francisco for the United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO) from April 25 to June 26, 1945, to draft and sign the UN Charter. Relatively equidistant between Asia, Europe, and Latin America, picturesque San Francisco was well positioned for a global gathering.

As preparations for the San Francisco Conference were underway, it was proposed that the delegates visit the serenity of Muir Woods to reflect in “a ‘temple of peace’ [where] the delegates would gain a perspective and sense of time that could be obtained nowhere in America better than in a forest.” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes described Muir Woods as a natural cathedral, where trees older than the Magna Carta stood as enduring witnesses to history.

When U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt — who had championed the creation of a new international system to maintain peace — passed away two weeks before the conference began, the retreat to Muir Woods took on additional significance.

In tribute to his legacy, over 500 delegates from 46 nations gathered in Muir Woods Cathedral Grove on May 19, 1945, to honor the late president and reaffirm their commitment to building a more peaceful world. This commemoration cemented Muir Woods’ place in global history, making it not only a site of natural wonder but also a symbol of international cooperation, diplomacy, and the enduring pursuit of peace.

Today, as we celebrate the UN International Day of Forests, we are reminded that forests are even more than ecological treasures — they are also places of inspiration and unity, where people from different nations come together, as they did in 1945, to contemplate a shared future.

Through our work with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other custom exchanges, Global Ties San Francisco continues this tradition by bringing international visitors to experience the majesty of Muir Woods. In doing so, we reinforce San Francisco’s role as a center for global engagement, fostering the same spirit of global exchange and mutual understanding that underlined the founding of the United Nations nearly 80 years ago.

#ForestDay

Author: Song Held
Editor: Alannah Crandall

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A Letter from Our President and CEO, Kevin Mather

As 2024 draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude and pride as I reflect on an extraordinary year for Global Ties San Francisco. This year, we welcomed 529 international visitors from 136 countries, creating countless opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and collaboration through our international exchange programs.

By fostering dialogues on critical global topics — from cybersecurity and entrepreneurship to climate action and human rights — our programs have built bridges across borders and strengthened San Francisco’s role as a hub for citizen diplomacy.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible team and interns, the support of our partners, and the generosity of our Home Hospitality community.

As I prepare to step down as President and CEO of World Trade Center Northern California /Global Ties San Francisco, I am deeply humbled by the experiences we’ve shared and the impact we’ve achieved together. It has been a privilege to lead this organization and to witness the power of diplomacy in action. I am confident that the dedicated team at Global Ties San Francisco will continue to expand its reach and deepen its impact in the years to come.

Thank you to our supporters, partners, and community for making this journey so meaningful. While I may be stepping away from my role, I will always remain a proud champion of the work we do here at Global Ties San Francisco.


With warm regards and best wishes for the new year,

Kevin Mather
President/CEO
Global Ties San Francisco
World Trade Center Northern California

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IVLP Highlight: American Foreign Policy Delegation from Germany

From December 7-11, 2024, Global Ties San Francisco hosted the American Foreign Policy, Economic Security, and the People’s Republic of China delegation from Germany on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and in partnership with World Learning.

During their stay in the San Francisco Bay Area, thirteen German academics, policy experts, journalists, and business representatives met with local Bay Area organizations to better understand American foreign policy and factors that shape economic security, to gain a West Coast perspective on U.S.-China trade relations, to engage with the local Chinese diaspora, and to ultimately bring back valuable insights to their respective regions in Germany.

Professional Highlights

A standout experience for the international visitors was their meeting with Mr. Ron Brown, a Maritime Marketing and Commodities representative at the Port of Oakland. Drawing upon Mr. Brown’s in-depth knowledge of local trade and commerce channels, our visitors explored how the Port of Oakland contributes to the economic viability and strength of the region by serving as one of California’s largest container ports and a critical export gateway for agricultural and refrigerated products from the region.

Visitors explore the Port of Oakland with Ron Brown

The discussion inspired insightful questions from the visitors, such as how the pandemic affected the Port’s operations, global trade partner relations, and the Port’s efforts to make operations more sustainable.

The visitors also enjoyed a tour and first-hand look at the Port’s efforts to become a zero-emissions seaport, with notable sights including state-of-the-art hybrid electric cranes.

Another professional meeting was the group’s discussion with Mr. Douglas Wallace, Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center at the U.S. Commercial Service – San Francisco Office. The meeting examined the role of the U.S. Commercial Service in supporting local businesses’ efforts to expand internationally, particularly in the areas of economic development and security. Additionally, participants gained exposure to the greater U.S. Commercial Service ecosystem, which includes more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nationwide and more than 70 international offices. Overall, the meeting helped contextualize economic services provided by the U.S federal government on the local level in California.

Other professional highlights included connecting the international visitors with the local Chinese diaspora and Asian American community artists through a visit to a cultural center, a meeting with notable scholars from the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and a discussion with SEMI—a global microelectronics industry association.

Cultural Experiences

Beyond professional appointments, the visitors further enriched their understanding of the U.S. by sharing a meal with San Franciscans through Global Ties San Francisco’s Home Hospitality program.
“An unforgettable experience!”

In addition, the visitors also attended a Guided City Tour of San Francisco, exploring the beauty and most iconic sites that make San Francisco the famous “City by the Bay!”

Supporting People-to-People Diplomacy

Through successful IVLP programming like this project for Germany, Global Ties San Francisco aims to fulfill the mission of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program by connecting emerging foreign leaders to the United States to engage in people-to-people diplomacy, foster professional international relationships, and inspire strong global partnerships.

Authors: Karin Krisdiva, Fall 2024 Intern; Oli Vorster, International Program Coordinator

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Event Highlight: Global Social Hour (Sept. 2024)

On September 24, 2024, Global Ties San Francisco hosted a free community social hour and networking event with meaningful conversations over delicious food!

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Recent Intern Leila Shawrieh Selected for Global Ties U.S. 2025 Emerging Leaders Cohort

Global Ties San Francisco is thrilled to announce that our summer 2024 intern Leila Shawrieh has been selected for the 2025 cohort of the Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leaders Program due to her outstanding potential to lead and shape the future of public diplomacy and international exchange!

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Global Ties San Francisco Meets with Rep. Barbara Lee’s Office on the Community Impact of International Exchange Programs

This past summer, Global Ties San Francisco proudly served as a community lead for the Alliance for International Exchange’s Summer of Action initiative to raise awareness of the benefits that international exchange programs bring to Americans and their local communities.

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Event: Global Social Hour (Sept. 2024)

Join Global Ties San Francisco on September 24th for a free community social hour and networking event with meaningful conversations over delicious food!

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Looking Back to our 2021 Earth Month Collaboration with IVLP Alum Saad Abid

This is the power of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): Building meaningful, lasting connections that keep us together while 5,969 miles (9,606 km) apart. In April 2021—five years after arranging Saad Abid’s local IVLP experience—we at Global Ties San Francisco partnered with Saad’s Association Bahri to engage our respective communities in a series of Earth Month challenges to #RestoreOurEarth.

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IVLP Highlight: Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation | Africa

In February, an IVLP project for Africa brought 13 enthusiastic participants from across Africa to San Francisco to take part in discussions and strategy-development regarding journalistic best practices in today’s increasingly complex information environment.

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