If you have patient shareholders, and your competitors do not, you have a strategic advantage.
If you have deep-pocketed shareholders, and your competitors do not, you have a strategic advantage.
If you have well-connected shareholders, and your competitors do not, you have a strategic advantage.
If you have cooperative shareholders, and your competitors do not, you have a strategic advantage.
If you have honest shareholders, and your competitors do not, you have a strategic advantage.
Your shareholders can be a strategic advantage.
Choose them carefully.