foothold
noun [ C, usually singular ]
uk/ˈfʊthəʊld/ usa strong first position in a market, industry, etc. from which further progress can be made:
give sth a foothold (in sth) The merger gives the company a stronger presence in Asia and a foothold in the US.
establish/gain/get a foothold (in sth) Our plan is to gain a foothold in the fastest-growing aerospace industry in the world.
See also
beachhead