Michael "Mike" Butler is the CEO of Coastal Gateway Port, a British Columbia-based port and maritime infrastructure company advancing sustainable port development, marine logistics, shipbuilding, and industrial supply-chain initiatives in Western Canada. He has publicly represented Coastal Gateway in discussions about Canada–U.S. infrastructure collaboration, Pacific trade, advanced manufacturing, and shipbuilding capacity. Under his leadership, Coastal Gateway has promoted proposals for clean shipbuilding, port modernization, and long-term investment in Canadian marine infrastructure. Mike also serves as a public media contact for the company's recent announcements and industry initiatives across North America.

North America's maritime future depends on more than ships — it depends on whether Canada and the U.S. can rebuild the industrial partnerships that power trade, defense, and manufacturing resilience. As global competition intensifies and supply chains become more vulnerable, how can both countries strengthen maritime manufacturing and trade together?

From Mike Butler's perspective as a maritime infrastructure leader, the answer lies in treating shipbuilding, port development, and industrial capacity as a shared Canada-U.S. priority. He explains that long-term contracts, sustainable financing, and cross-border public-private partnerships are essential to rebuilding the facilities, workforce, and supply chains needed for stronger maritime trade. The main impact is a more resilient North American manufacturing base that can support defense readiness, create good-paying jobs, and reduce dependence on overseas shipbuilding. Butler also highlights the importance of allied cooperation through NATO and AUKUS-related opportunities, as well as the need to align government support with private-sector investment.

In this episode of America: Open for Business, host Cameron Heffernan sits down with Mike Butler, CEO of Coastal Gateway Port, to discuss strengthening Canada-U.S. maritime manufacturing and trade. They explore cross-border shipbuilding, port infrastructure, and allied industrial capacity. Mike also talks about financing, workforce development, and long-term maritime partnerships.

Adrian Kinnersley is the Co-founder and CEO of In2America, a company that helps international businesses launch, expand, and scale into the U.S. market through compliant employment and operational solutions. He is also CEO of twentyAI, a specialist recruitment and talent advisory firm focused on technology and data-driven businesses across the U.S. and Europe. With firsthand experience building and scaling companies internationally, he brings deep expertise in U.S. market entry, talent strategy, and navigating complex regulatory environments for high-growth global organizations.

Expanding into the U.S. market is often seen as a major growth milestone — but it comes with layers of complexity that many international companies underestimate. From navigating state-by-state regulations to building a competitive hiring strategy, the path is rarely straightforward. So what does it really take to break into the U.S. market and succeed?

Adrian Kinnersley, a seasoned expert in global expansion and U.S. market entry, explains that success starts with understanding just how fragmented and nuanced the U.S. system truly is. He emphasizes that companies must rethink their approach to hiring, compliance, and operations, especially given the differences across states and the high cost of talent. He also underscores the importance of using flexible entry strategies like EOR and PEO models to reduce risk while testing the market. Ultimately, businesses that invest time in understanding these complexities are far better positioned to scale effectively. He adds that failing to plan for compliance and cost variations can quickly derail growth. By taking a strategic, informed approach, companies can avoid common pitfalls and build a strong foundation for long-term success.

In this episode of America: Open for Business, host Cameron Heffernan sits down with Adrian Kinnersley, Co-founder and CEO of In2America, to discuss how global companies can successfully enter and scale in the U.S. market. They explore navigating complex state regulations, building effective hiring strategies, and avoiding costly compliance mistakes. Adrian also shares advice on creating a strong on-the-ground presence to drive growth.

David Rose is the CEO of US Expansion Partners, a firm that helps European technology companies launch, manage, and scale their operations in the United States. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies, high-growth firms, and venture-backed startups, with multiple successful exits. Having served as CEO three times, he has deep expertise as a startup operator and advisor. David has also participated in leading startup events such as Google Demo Day and TechCrunch Disrupt.

Breaking into the US market is often a critical step for European startups aiming to scale — but what actually determines success once they enter the market? Many founders assume that raising capital is enough, yet expansion introduces new challenges around customers, competition, and positioning. So what does it really take to succeed in the US?

David Rose, a seasoned startup operator and advisor, explains that European founders succeed in the US by first aligning with the right investors and validating product-market fit locally. He emphasizes that many founders fail by targeting the wrong venture capital firms or assuming their success in Europe will translate directly. He highlights the importance of storytelling in US fundraising, where investors often back the founder as much as the business. Ultimately, success comes from combining focused investor targeting, strong positioning, and real market validation. He also stresses that founders need to spend time in the US, engaging directly with customers before scaling.

In this episode of America: Open for Business, host Cameron Heffernan is joined by David Rose, CEO at US Expansion Partners, to discuss how European startups can scale faster and smarter in the US. They explore how to identify the right investors, avoid common expansion mistakes, and validate product-market fit before scaling. David also shares advice on building traction and navigating the US fundraising landscape.