Forming a company is a commitment, and a test is meant to avoid one. The decision here is how far you can go from your home entity, what a fair test looks like, and what result would justify a local company.
A pilot without criteria drifts into permanent operation with no structure behind it. Before running one, agree what outcome means expand, what means stop, and what means extend. Otherwise the test becomes the business.
The simplest test. It tells you if customers pay a foreign vendor, but not if they would pay a local one.
A limited run with a counterpart who has local access. It tests demand through a channel.
Short visits or a person on a defined project. Check with a local professional whether the presence has consequences.
Evidence of demand without delivery. Useful when set-up cost is the main concern.
Pilot answers it?: Yes; Note: Within the segment you tested
Pilot answers it?: Partly; Note: Only if you also offer a local option
Pilot answers it?: No; Note: That comes from the assessment, not the test
Pilot answers it?: Not reliably; Note: A pilot can pass unnoticed and still create obligations
Do not treat a quiet pilot as proof that no obligations exist.
A named account will only continue with a local party.
Support or delivery cannot be run from home.
A local professional tells you the activity has outgrown the pilot.
This is business and structuring analysis, not legal, tax or investment advice. Where a legal or tax opinion is needed, we say so and point you to a licensed adviser.
There is no standard length. It should run until the pre-agreed criteria give an answer.
It can be, if it involves staff or stock on the ground. The assessment lists what to check locally.
No. Market demand work is a separate research service.
No obligation. We read your request and reply with a straight answer.
Describe your plan and your constraints. We reply with what we would look at first.
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