The Discovery Visit: What It Is and Why It Matters

When expanding your business into a new international market, one of the most strategic moves you can make is taking a discovery visit. For UK businesses considering entry into the U.S. via North or South Carolina, a discovery visit provides a boots-on-the-ground look at your potential new market. It’s not just about sightseeing or scoping out office space—it’s about gathering critical intelligence, avoiding costly mistakes, and positioning your business for long-term success.

At BABC Carolinas, we specialize in making these business discovery trips purposeful and productive. From curated introductions to local experts to targeted insights into the Carolinas’ regulatory environment, we make sure you leave with clarity and confidence.

What happens during a discovery visit?

A well-executed discovery visit helps businesses understand the local business landscape in a real, tangible way. Here are some of the key elements UK businesses can expect:

• Market research and regional insight tailored to your sector
• Guided site tours of business parks, innovation hubs, and logistics centers
• Meetings with local business leaders, service providers, and government officials
• Clear understanding of the legal, regulatory, and tax environments
• Exploration of workforce availability, cultural fit, and quality of life

For British companies exploring business in the U.S., these on-the-ground experiences are essential for making informed decisions about business relocation in the Carolinas.

Why the discovery visit saves time and money

Attempting to navigate international market entry without firsthand experience can lead to expensive missteps—from choosing the wrong city or region to entering into partnerships that don’t serve your goals. A discovery visit gives you the clarity needed to avoid those risks.

BABC Carolinas plays a critical role in streamlining this process:

• We make strategic introductions to key players in your industry
• We connect you with trusted legal, financial, and operational advisors
• We provide honest, localized insights that help you assess risk and opportunity

One UK tech manufacturer, for example, altered their expansion plans after a BABC-led discovery visit revealed a more advantageous location in South Carolina than originally anticipated. With BABC’s support, they saved significant time and capital.

How BABC Carolinas facilitates successful discovery visits

Our concierge-style support is designed to make every business discovery trip efficient and insightful. Here’s what we provide:

• Custom agendas based on your goals and industry
• Coordinated meetings with universities, chambers of commerce, real estate professionals, and government agencies
• Pre-visit briefings and tailored insights
• Post-visit follow-up to help maintain momentum

With deep ties across the Carolinas, BABC Carolinas provides an unparalleled network of resources to support your international business expansion.

Explore with confidence, expand with clarity

A discovery visit is more than a fact-finding mission—it’s a smart, strategic first step in your U.S. expansion journey. With the right guidance, you can uncover opportunities, sidestep roadblocks, and enter the market prepared for success.

Ready to explore business in the U.S.? Reach out to BABC Carolinas to schedule your discovery visit and discover how we can support your business soft landing in the Carolinas.