Direction · Expansion
Exploring new markets
We help companies explore markets abroad: opportunity analysis, entry strategy and finding local partners before committing resources.
Specialist project · Fixed price per phase
International expansion: entering a foreign market with a plan
Tokio Business helps SMEs and startups decide whether to go abroad, which market to choose and how to enter it. We work in phases: analysis first, then strategy and, if it makes sense, the commercial launch. Each phase has a fixed timeline and price agreed before we start.
- For
- SMEs and startups in any country
- Format
- Four phases, available separately
- Price
- Fixed per phase, agreed upfront
- Partners’ experience
- Europe, the Americas and Asia
Is your company ready to expand internationally?
It is if you can answer “yes” to these five questions. If two or more are a “no”, the prudent move is to fix them before going abroad. Expansion multiplies what already works, and what doesn’t.
- Does your offer sell well in your current market, at a margin you know?
- Do you have the cash to fund several months of sales effort before revenue comes in?
- Is there someone with the time and authority to lead the project?
- Can your team handle more orders without delivery suffering?
- Do you know what would need to change in your offer (language, price, regulation, service) for the new market?
How we work: four phases
- 01
Analysis and market selection
We review your starting point and compare two or three candidate markets: demand, competition, regulatory barriers, cost of entry and fit with your offer. It ends with a reasoned recommendation, which may be not to go yet.
- 02
Entry strategy
We choose the entry model (distributor, local partner, alliance or direct sales), adapt the offer and pricing, and set a budget and a tracking scoreboard.
- 03
Partner search and validation
We identify and approach potential distributors, partners or first clients, and join you in the first meetings.
- 04
Commercial launch
We support you through the first deals and review the scoreboard with management every month.
You can hire us for the first phase only. Many expansion decisions are made, or wisely avoided, at that point.
Which entry model suits you?
| Model | When it fits | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Distributor | A standard product and a market with established sales channels | Giving up margin and control over the end customer |
| Local partner or agent | Consultative selling, or sectors where relationships matter | Choosing the right partner and agreeing terms in writing |
| Alliance with a local company | An offer that complements an established local business | A clear split of roles, clients and revenue |
| Direct remote sales | Digital services, or clients who buy without a local presence | Marketing and customer service in the local language |
| Subsidiary or own presence | A validated market with recurring sales | Investment, a legal structure and a local team |
The legal, tax and customs structure of each model is set by your advisers. We coordinate with them so that decisions fit the strategy.
Where we have worked
Offer · Revenue · Expansion
International market entry
From research to sales: we design and launch market entry with the approach that fits each case, whether distribution, alliances, local partners or direct sales.
What we don’t do
- We don’t guarantee sales or timelines. We tell you what we measure and when to review it.
- We don’t replace your legal, tax or customs advisers. We work with them.
- We won’t encourage you to expand if the numbers say it is not yet the right time.
Frequently asked questions about international expansion
How much does an international expansion project cost?
It depends on the markets and the phases you choose. Each phase has a fixed price, which we give you after a first conversation at no cost.
Which markets do you have experience in?
The partners have worked in Europe, the Americas and Asia. For each project, we assess whether our experience and contacts fit the chosen market, and tell you before we start.
Do I need to set up a company in the other country?
Not always. With a distributor or a local partner, it is usually not necessary. With a subsidiary, it is. We decide this in the strategy phase, together with your advisers.
How long does it take to start selling in a new market?
It depends on the sector, the entry model and your clients’ buying cycle. Expect several months. That is why we set a scoreboard from the start and review it every month.
Can I start with the analysis only?
Yes. The first phase can be hired separately and ends with a recommendation, even if that is not to go abroad yet.
Which market are you looking at?
In 30 minutes, we will tell you whether it makes sense to explore it now and how we would go about it.