In this episode, Joran welcomes Nicola Calabrese, the founder of Undertow, a localization agency focused on aiding SaaS businesses in their international growth. Nicola brings a wealth of experience, having managed translation and localization projects for startups and enterprises in over 20 languages. He also hosts the Multilingual Content Podcast, discussing international expansion and localization technologies. The episode explores the importance of scaling SaaS internationally through internet expansion and localization strategies.
Key Timecodes
(0:00) - Importance of Localization
(0:47) - Episode Introduction and Guest Intro
(1:28) - Why International Expansion is Crucial for B2B SaaS
(2:33) - When to Consider Going International
(3:14) - Indicators for Localization Needs
(3:36) - Common Misconceptions in Global Expansion
(5:21) - Common Mistakes in Global Expansion Strategy
(7:19) - Step-by-Step Approach to Going Global
(9:20) - Strategy for US Companies Entering Europe
(11:06) - Resources and Frameworks for Expansion
(12:15) - Case Study: A Company’s Approach to Localization
(13:01) - Steps to Prepare for International Expansion
(14:11) - Metrics to Track for Successful Localization
(16:18) - Best Practices for Going Global
(18:42) - Importance of Style Guides in Localization
(20:25) - Significance of Proper Localization
(22:12) - AI in Localization: Current Limitations
(24:10) - Challenges: Cultural Differences and Brand Consistency
(25:42) - Future of Internationalization and AI
(27:36) - Choosing Markets: Europe vs. US Strategy
(30:03) - Risks and Opportunities in 2025
(31:04) - Advice for B2B SaaS Founders on Internationalization
(31:39) - Advice for Early-Stage SaaS Companies
(32:16) - Preparations for Scaling to 10M ARR
(33:59) - Final Summary and Key Takeaways
(34:33) - Closing Notes and Contact Information
