International Investors
Texas Venture Gala & Forum 2026’s “International Investors” Panel, Moderated by Q-Branch’s Founder & CEO, Marc Cervantes
The panel featured (Germany) German Accelerator’s Global Project Leader, Annika Pierson; (Taiwan) Beyond Earth Ventures’ Venture Partner; Taiwan ITRI New Venture Association Texas Chapter Chairman; Global League Director, Jessie Chen; and (Israel) Caveret Ventures Managing Partner, Joseph Yaker.
German Accelerator is a German government-financed program, operated by Start2 Group, that helps high-potential German startups enter international markets through mentorship, local networks, and market-expansion programs; it has supported more than 1,200 alumni companies across over 30 international startup ecosystems.
Beyond Earth Ventures is a venture-capital firm investing in deep-technology companies across space technology, robotics, energy, computing, and communications, with a team recognized for winning the Mars Society’s International Mars Colony Prize in 2019. Taiwan ITRI New Venture Association is a nonprofit startup facilitator and venture builder that connects deep-tech companies with mentors, investment, market-expansion assistance, and international innovation networks, including through its Texas Chapter. Global League is a venture-development and research platform that uses a data-driven approach to analyze emerging markets, industry trends, and investment opportunities for investors and startups.
Caveret Ventures is an Israeli-American, mission-driven investment firm specializing in Israeli defense, dual-use, and frontier technologies, providing capital and hands-on assistance to help its portfolio companies expand into the U.S. and other global markets.
They discussed why Texas is becoming an attractive destination for international startups, citing its business environment, strong industry relationships, growing defense and deep technology ecosystem, and opportunities to enter and scale within the U.S. market.
Panelists highlighted supply chain resilience, local manufacturing, semiconductors, defense and dual-use technologies, and the importance of understanding regional business culture. Speakers emphasized that successful international growth requires more than investment.
They discussed how success also depends on trusted relationships, strong local partnerships, and an innovation ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs establish operations and scale.
Thank you to our long-standing partners for both Texas Venture Gala & Forum and Texas Venture Fest, the team at Q-Branch for guiding the conversations on this. Q-Branch is an Austin-based global accelerator that helps domestic and international companies commercialize and scale dual-use technologies across commercial, government, and defense markets. Its programs provide support with U.S. market entry, government procurement, regulatory compliance, investment readiness, strategic partnerships, and connections to customers, investors, universities, and government agencies.
This Texas Venture Gala & Forum panel recap was made possible by our Editorial Partner, Texas State University. Their McCoy College of Business Center for Student Entrepreneurship program exists to prepare the next generation of founders to build ventures that matter. Learn more about their innovation and commercialization here. Check out the entire Texas Venture Gala & Forum 2026 recap here.
