Which term best exemplifies a company that operates internationally from its inception, such as SoundCloud?

• A. A firm that buys licenses from others
• B. A company with no international presence
• C. An example of agglomeration
• D. A firm founded to operate internationally from inception, like SoundCloud

Answer: (D)

Born-global firms operate internationally from the very start. This idea describes companies that design their business to reach global markets from day one, using digital platforms and worldwide networks to attract users and customers across borders. SoundCloud exemplifies this, since it was built to attract a global audience and serve international users from inception, rather than launching locally and expanding later. The other scenarios don’t capture this immediate, world-spanning approach: buying licenses from others describes a licensing model that isn’t about starting internationally; having no international presence is the opposite; and agglomeration is about geographic clustering, not international launch strategy.