We’re a Canadian based start-up. We’ve got the resources and flexibility to move our company to the states at/around the time of launch and plant roots there. However, Canada has been good to us, we’re familiar with the laws, and the talent pool seems good.
5 Years from now we’d like to be acquired – it’s happening a lot in our industry. Will remaining a Canadian company be a considerable roadblock? If we were to move to the states, where would you recommend?
If you have a revenue model, and your numbers are there, it won't matter. You will have to find the proper M&A broker for your industry though to maximize potential acquirers.
Companies will acquire you IFF: a) you have something they lust after, or b) you have something that makes them afraid. Location isn't that big a consideration. (I used to work in corp dev in SV)
The issue isn't whether your company/employees are Canadian - the issue is if your customers are.
A benefit to being in the Silicon Valley is daily access to potential partners - it is simply much more difficult to connect remotely and maintain contact.