[compiledkoala]

This exactly. Canadian common law has some very odd implications for corporate governance. Much higher risk of governance deadlock due to recent rulings.

VCs are not going to know that when evaluating a company. YC as the incubator and the first check in has an obligation to vet the situation for future investors. The easiest way for them to do that at scale is to ensure they are experts in a very small number of jurisdictions that are predictable.

Honestly, it makes sense.

[am3141]

This is simply not true. Canadian founders lose massive Canadian tax benefits by incorporating in the US. The only way out of further tax complications (and it’s not because of Canada, it’s just how international tax laws work) the founders have to permanently move to the US. Source: I have founded both Delaware and Canada federal co.

[compiledkoala]

I understand how SR&D works - I've filed for it several times.

My hot take: given the 1 year delay on receipt of funds and the fact that it has the biggest impact on small teams, if you are going to scale a VC backed startup as fast as you need to - SR&D won't be the reason you succeed. If you are not scaling fast enough to make it - SR&D won't save you.

If you stay in Canada and raise from Canadian VC's you'll get half the cash at half the valuation. The government makes that up to you in SR&D a year later.

Found in Canada because it's your home and you love it. That's the only real reason. And it's a good one.

[Onavo]

What are some of the recent rulings that make it high risk?

[snapplebobapple]

Can attest to this. I know of a shareholder dispute that is in year 11 of going through the courts and the end is just barely in sight, maybe. Canada is a terrible place to setup business. Setup somewhere less crap and colonize Canada from there if you really think it's necessary dealing with this terrible country.