Canadian vs. American Entrepreneurial Attitude

We are trying to start this company with as little investment as possible. I am told this is typical of the Canadian entrepreneur. Whereas the American entrepreneur is glad to trade capital over % ownership.

I originally inferred this to mean that the Canadian entrepreneurs are just less willing to give up control. I thought this mindset was somewhat embarrassing to be quite honest. We were always told it was better to have 51% of a watermelon than 100% of a peanut.

My views, after having started up a company, have somewhat changed. I now see how it is MORE courageous to turn down investment. Perhaps investors are like the "landmark of achievement" that many small business strive for. To say no to the flattery of someone wanting to invest in you, the fancy dinners, being courted, well that takes more courage than many have.

After all, investors are in there to make money. They haven't done the work, they are spending someone else's money. If the Canadian entrepreneurial scene is unwilling to let these guys in well, let's just say I understand their attitude. Not being accepted is more a mark of pride in Canada than anything else.