Why does it take 12 to 18 months to develop a strategic model?
• Branding a product, developing a proper marketing strategy, mentoring the entrepreneurial team, developing infrastructure, or hiring key people all takes time and needs to be done correctly. Mistakes are very common at this stage – so taking time to develop and institutionalizing proper business practices is prudent – to avoid further lost time down the road. VCF also believes that the Canadian context plays an important role in our assessment of a “incubation” time. New firms whether they are start-ups or entering into Canada to expand their corporate footprint face a number of inherent challenges. These include: a GDP 1/10th the size of the U.S.; a competitive landscape entrenched with “blue-chip” firms (including the branding and “best business practices” associated with such marquee names); a conservative attitude towards risk taking; a highly regulated financial services sector; and high tax rates which prohibit wealth formation including the development of a sizable private equ
