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Latin American companies have tremendous growth potential beyond their regional borders. With a combined GDP of over $5 trillion and a growing tech sector, LATAM businesses are increasingly looking to scale internationally into lucrative markets such as western Europe and the U.S.
However, navigating these expansion journeys requires strategic planning, local market knowledge, and the right technology infrastructure.
In this guide, we explore five proven strategies that successful LATAM companies have used to establish their presence in Western EU and U.S. markets, with practical insights on overcoming common challenges.
FastSpring is how SaaS, software, digital products, and video game companies sell online in more places around the world. We handle every payment need — from subscription management to tax collection, remittance, and more — so your business can go farther, faster. Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.
5 Ways LATAM Companies Can Accelerate Their Growth in US and EU Markets
1. Localize Your Payment Infrastructure
One of the most critical factors for successful market entry is adapting your payment infrastructure to meet local expectations and requirements.
Why it matters: Payment preferences vary significantly across regions. While cards dominate in the U.S. (with credit and debit cards accounting for a total of 62% of all payments), European consumers often prefer local payment methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Klarna in Sweden.
Success strategy:
Implement a flexible payment platform (such as a merchant of record) that supports:
- Multiple currencies with dynamic pricing.
- Region-specific payment methods.
- Local tax compliance automation.
- Subscription management across different regulations.
2. Adapt Your Go-to-Market Strategy for Each Region
The marketing and sales approaches that work in LATAM markets often need significant adjustment for Western markets.
Why it matters: Business cultures, buying processes, and customer expectations differ substantially between regions. U.S. businesses typically have faster decision cycles but demand more comprehensive support, while EU organizations often have longer, more committee-driven purchasing processes.
Success strategy:
- Develop region-specific value propositions.
- Adjust pricing strategies based on local market conditions.
- Create localized content marketing strategies.
- Build region-appropriate sales cycles.
3. Navigate Complex Regulatory Landscapes
Companies often face significant regulatory hurdles when expanding to EU and U.S. markets.
Why it matters: Western European markets operate under GDPR, while different U.S. states have varying data protection laws. Additionally, each region has specific requirements regarding financial transactions, business registration, and consumer rights.
Success strategy:
- Implement comprehensive subscription management systems with built-in compliance.
- Automate tax collection and reporting.
- Develop clear data handling policies that meet different regional requirements.
- Partner with experts who understand multi-regional compliance.
4. Build Strategic Partnerships in Target Markets
Successful LATAM companies rarely enter Western markets alone — they leverage strategic partnerships.
Why it matters: Local partners provide invaluable market knowledge, established distribution channels, and credibility in new markets where your brand may be unknown.
Success strategy:
- Identify complementary businesses in target markets.
- Create joint offerings that leverage each company’s strengths.
- Establish integration partnerships with popular local platforms.
- Consider channel sales models where appropriate.
5. Implement Scalable Subscription and Pricing Models
The subscription economy has revolutionized how software and digital services are sold globally, but requirements vary significantly by region.
Why it matters: Different markets have varying tolerance for pricing levels, subscription terms, and billing frequencies. Additionally, managing subscriptions across multiple currencies and tax jurisdictions presents significant operational challenges.
Success strategy:
- Create flexible subscription management systems.
- Implement smart dunning processes to reduce voluntary and involuntary churn.
- Automate currency conversion and regional pricing.
- Build analytics dashboards to track performance by region.
- Design subscription models that align with regional expectations.
The Technology Foundation for Global Expansion
At the core of successful international expansion lies the right technology infrastructure. Many LATAM companies falter not because their product isn’t competitive, but because their backend systems can’t handle the complexities of multi-regional operations.
Key technology requirements include:
- Supporting regional payment methods.
- Multi-currency support with automatic exchange rate updates.
- Global tax calculation and compliance automation.
- Localized checkout experiences.
- Subscription management across different regulatory environments.
- Fraud prevention adapted to regional risk profiles.
Ready to Take Your LATAM Business Global?
Expanding from Latin America into Western European and U.S. markets represents a tremendous growth opportunity, but it requires careful planning and the right infrastructure. The most successful companies recognize that payment processing, subscription management, and compliance aren’t just operational details — they’re strategic advantages when implemented correctly.
FastSpring’s all-in-one merchant of record platform is designed specifically to help companies like yours navigate international expansion with confidence. Our platform handles the complexities of global payments, subscription management, tax compliance, and fraud prevention, allowing you to focus on what you do best: building great products and services.
Talk with a FastSpring expert today to create your customized global expansion strategy and learn how our platform can accelerate your growth in Western European and U.S. markets.
FastSpring is how SaaS, software, digital products, and video game companies sell online in more places around the world. We handle every payment need — from subscription management to tax collection, remittance, and more — so your business can go farther, faster. Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.
