Lightspeed and the NYC Economic Development Corporation announced that applications are open for the AI Launch Pad program, which will support 10 growth-stage international AI companies to enter and scale in the New York City market. The program is accepting applications through January 9, 2026, and focuses on companies with $5M+ in annual revenue or venture-backed startups with $5M+ in funding who are planning U.S. market entry within the next 24 months.

Fully funded by NYCEDC, the program addresses barriers that international growth companies face when expanding to the United States, including a lack of founder support systems, unfamiliarity with U.S. regulatory environments, visa complexities, and absence of introductions to customers and talent. Participation is open to all qualifying international companies, not exclusively Lightspeed portfolio companies.

"At Lightspeed, we've spent years partnering with founders to help them crack the US market. This partnership with NYCEDC lets us scale that knowledge and support to a broader community of companies ready to make their mark in America," said Pinn Lawjindakul, Partner at Lightspeed.