Question about cross-border deals, Canada to US

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by a professional from University of Toronto - Joseph L. Rotman School of Management
in Toronto, ON, Canada

2yrs ago

Question about cross-border deals, Canada to US

Hi there.

My name is Deep and I'm a self-funded searcher based in the GTA, Canada. I'm currently looking at companies all over Ontario, but am thinking about expanding my search to the Northeast US.

Does anyone know of a searcher who has successfully completed a cross-border deal? I'm sure there's a tonne of added complexity, and I'm wondering if it's worth it to expand my search south of the border.

Any intros or convos would be helpful!

Cheers,
DG

1 Like

638 Views

reply by a searcher 2yrs ago
in Vancouver, BC, Canada

In my experience, one of my friends did end up buying a businesses based completely in the US. One of the major structuring of the deal was that 51% of the business must be held by a US citizen, and foreign citizen can own the other 49%. Its totally doable, but I would highly recommend getting a lawyer who specializes in cross border M&A deals for small businesses.

reply by an investor 1yr ago
from Colby College in Miami Beach, FL, USA

Worth exploring investor visas like E2 and EB5 as well as talent visas like O1, EB1a and EB2 NIW as well. We have had success working with entrepreneurs on these categories. No issues with ownership %.

Credit will be tough to obtain but it is possible. I interviewed a Canadian investor who obtain non-SBA financing from a Canadian lender. He bought a business on the E2 visa: redacted