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How To Scale Globally — Founder Interview

Updated: Apr 30

This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024.

What Is This About?

Scaling a startup globally is one of the hardest transitions a founder can make. This Starting Y episode explores the practical challenges of international expansion — from adapting products for new markets to building distributed teams and navigating regulatory differences across borders.

  • This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.

  • Today we bring you another episode on the Starting Y Podcast, where we talk about the WHY of Entrepreneurship.

  • Global scaling is one of the biggest challenges companies face in the business world today.

  • Our guest is Aaron McDaniel, a serial entrepreneur with 3 exits, adjunct professor at the University of California Berkley, co-founder of 10x innovation lab, co-founder and managing partner of Velocity Capital Group, as well as the author of the Wallstreet Journal Bestseller “Global Class.

  • Our additional guest is Klaus Børme Wehage, an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, CEO, and co-founder of 10x innovation lab, co-founder and advisor to several startup companies, as well as the author of the Wallstreet Journal Bestseller “Global Class.



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How To Scale Globally — Founder Interview Startuprad.io brings you independent coverage of the key developments shaping the startup and venture capital landscape across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024.


Happy Thanksgiving guys!

Today we bring you another episode on the Starting Y Podcast, where we talk about the WHY of Entrepreneurship. This time we talk to two guests about the mindset you have to have from the start in order to scale globally. The basis of our discussion is the experience Aaron and Klaus gained in their previous positions, their activities in 10X Innovation Lab, as well as their Wallstreet Journal bestselling book Global Class.

Global scaling is one of the biggest challenges companies face in the business world today. In order to remain competitive and reach untapped global markets, businesses must adopt a global mindset and invest in global teams made up of skilled professionals who specialize in different areas. This strategic shift requires companies to rethink how they operate and scale their operations, as global markets have different needs. Companies should focus on localizing the customer experience while maintaining global consistency, as this complex process can be achieved by implementing a revision to the agile methodology so that resources are allocated for global projects. To take advantage of new global opportunities, companies need to use data-driven insights, invest in research and development, generate global content with local views, and foster cross-cultural collaboration between digital nomads and diverse global teams. Overall, to stay ahead in this changing landscape relentless innovation is necessary; only those companies with a global outlook can succeed in international markets.


Our Guests

Our guest is Aaron McDaniel, a serial entrepreneur with 3 exits, adjunct professor at the University of California Berkley, co-founder of 10x innovation lab, co-founder and managing partner of Velocity Capital Group, as well as the author of the Wallstreet Journal Bestseller “Global Class.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbiz/

Our additional guest is Klaus Børme Wehage, an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, CEO, and co-founder of 10x innovation lab, co-founder and advisor to several startup companies, as well as the author of the Wallstreet Journal Bestseller “Global Class.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/mr10x/

You can buy the book here at https://amzn.to/3EYultm


The Host:


Tune in here:

You can suggest questions here, use #startingy. Follow our hosts on Twitter:





Our Intro is based on Quantum Jazz’s piece “Orbiting a distant planet”, published under Creative Commons


How Do Startups Scale Globally?

Global scaling requires understanding local markets, building the right partnerships, and adapting your product for different regions. In this Starting Y Podcast episode, serial entrepreneur Aaron McDaniel (3 exits, UC Berkeley adjunct professor) and Klaus Børme Wehage (CEO and co-founder of 10x Innovation Lab) share practical frameworks for international expansion based on their combined experience scaling companies across borders.

Introduction

This episode of the Starting Y Podcast tackles one of the biggest challenges in the business world: global scaling. The show features two experienced entrepreneurs — Aaron McDaniel, a serial entrepreneur with three successful exits who also teaches at UC Berkeley, and Klaus Børme Wehage, a keynote speaker and co-founder of 10x Innovation Lab. Together they discuss the practical realities of taking a startup from a single market to international operations, covering the strategic, cultural, and operational dimensions of global expansion.

Global scaling remains one of the most complex challenges startups face. This Starting Y Podcast episode brings together Aaron McDaniel and Klaus Børme Wehage to discuss proven approaches to international expansion. McDaniel brings the perspective of a serial entrepreneur with three exits and academic insights from UC Berkeley, while Wehage contributes his experience as CEO of 10x Innovation Lab. The conversation explores how founders can navigate market differences, build effective cross-border partnerships, and time their international expansion for maximum impact.

  • Global scaling is identified as one of the biggest challenges companies face today, requiring careful planning around market selection, timing, and local adaptation.

  • Aaron McDaniel brings practical experience from three successful exits and academic perspective as a UC Berkeley adjunct professor to the discussion of international growth.

  • Klaus Børme Wehage, as CEO and co-founder of 10x Innovation Lab, shares frameworks for systematic innovation and scaling across borders.

  • The episode is part of the Starting Y Podcast series, which focuses on the "why" of entrepreneurship alongside practical business guidance.

Entities Referenced in This Episode

People

  • Aaron McDaniel — Serial entrepreneur with 3 exits, adjunct professor at UC Berkeley

  • Klaus Børme Wehage — Entrepreneur, keynote speaker, CEO and co-founder of 10x Innovation Lab

  • Jörn "Joe" Menninger — Startuprad.io host

Organizations

  • 10x Innovation Lab — Innovation and scaling consultancy co-founded by Klaus Børme Wehage

  • University of California, Berkeley — Where Aaron McDaniel serves as adjunct professor

Shows

  • Starting Y Podcast — Startuprad.io sub-podcast about the WHY of entrepreneurship

Topics

  • Global scaling, international expansion, startup growth strategy, cross-border business, entrepreneurship education

Relationship Map

  • Aaron McDaniel → serial entrepreneur → 3 exits

  • Aaron McDaniel → adjunct professor at → UC Berkeley

  • Klaus Børme Wehage → CEO & co-founder of → 10x Innovation Lab

  • Both guests → discuss → global scaling strategies on Starting Y Podcast

Related Episodes on Startuprad.io

Partner with Startuprad.io

Startuprad.io is the leading independent media platform covering startups, venture capital, and innovation across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Europe. We offer B2B partnership opportunities for companies looking to reach startup decision-makers, founders, and investors.

Subscribe to the Podcast

What is the Starting Y Podcast?

Starting Y is a sub-podcast from Startuprad.io that explores the "why" of entrepreneurship. It features conversations with experienced founders and business leaders about the motivations, challenges, and strategies behind building companies.

Who is Aaron McDaniel?

Aaron McDaniel is a serial entrepreneur who has achieved three successful exits. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he brings his practical experience into the academic setting.

What is 10x Innovation Lab?

10x Innovation Lab is an organization co-founded by Klaus Børme Wehage that focuses on systematic innovation and business scaling. Wehage serves as CEO and brings his entrepreneurship and keynote speaking experience to the venture.

What are the key challenges of scaling a startup globally?

Global scaling involves navigating different regulatory environments, adapting products to local markets, building cross-border partnerships, managing cultural differences, and timing international expansion correctly. The episode discusses practical approaches to each of these challenges.

About the Host

Joern "Joe" Menninger is the host of the Startuprad.io podcast and covers founders, investors, and policy developments across the DACH startup ecosystem. Through more than 1,300 interviews and nearly a decade of reporting, he documents the evolution of the European startup landscape. Follow Joern on LinkedIn.

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If your company wants to reach founders, investors, and operators across the DACH startup ecosystem, Startuprad.io works with a select number of partners on high-trust visibility and thought-leadership formats. Explore partnership options here: Partner with Startuprad.io

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