So you made it into an accelerator batch, and now there's a new requirement on your plate: open a US company. Or maybe nobody's requiring it, but you want to raise from US VCs or sell into the US market, and you've heard you need a US entity to do that.
Either way, you're probably staring at a list of unfamiliar terms (LLC, C-Corp, SAFE, EIN, apostille) and wondering where to even start. We'll walk you through the order you actually need to do things in, and what each step really means for you.
Most founders default to "Delaware C-Corp" because that's what they've heard. It's usually the right call if you're raising from US VCs, since almost every US venture fund is set up to invest in C-Corps and most standard fundraising paperwork (SAFEs, priced rounds) assumes one.
An LLC is simpler and cheaper to run, but most VCs won't invest directly into one. If you're opening a US entity mainly to bill US clients or hold a US bank account, and you're not planning to raise from institutional VCs, an LLC can make more sense.
The short version: raising from VCs, go C-Corp. Running ops or billing clients without VC money, an LLC is worth considering.
Full breakdown: LLC vs Delaware C-Corp for accelerator founders → taxhero.vc/blogs/llc-vs-c-corp-accelerator-founders
Once you've picked an entity type, incorporation itself is usually the fast part. Founders typically use a service like Stripe Atlas, Clerky, or Doola to file the paperwork, get an EIN (your company's tax ID), and set up the basic corporate documents. This usually takes days, not weeks.
What trips founders up isn't the filing, it's everything that comes after.
You'll need an EIN before you can open a bank account, so this comes after incorporation. As a non-US founder, this step can be the most frustrating part of the process. Some banks require you to be physically present in the US, others (like Mercury or Brex) are built for exactly this situation and let you open remotely once your incorporation paperwork is done.
Full breakdown: opening a US bank account as a non-US founder → taxhero.vc/blogs/us-bank-account-non-us-founder
If you're raising money, you'll likely be signing a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), not a priced equity round. Most accelerators give you a YC-style SAFE template, but a lot of founders going through this for the first time don't have one ready, or don't fully understand what they're signing.
A SAFE isn't a loan and it isn't equity yet. It's a promise of future equity, triggered when you raise a priced round later. Get a lawyer or your accelerator to review the terms before you sign anything, even with a standard template.
Full breakdown: SAFE agreements explained for first-time founders → taxhero.vc/blogs/safe-agreement-explained-founders
Whether your US company is being funded through equity (a SAFE or priced round) or a loan, you'll need a specific set of documents ready. We've put together a full checklist for both LLC and C-Corp, split by funding type, so you're not guessing what's needed when a bank, investor, or accountant asks for it.
Get the full documents checklist → taxhero.vc/blogs/documents-needed-to-raise-on-a-safe
This is the part founders miss most often: you owe tax filings starting the year you incorporate, even if you have zero revenue. A lot of founders assume taxes only matter once the company is making money. That's not how it works.
For a Delaware C-Corp, you owe the Delaware Franchise Tax annually (due March 1) and a federal Form 1120 to the IRS, regardless of revenue. If you have foreign ownership, there are additional reporting requirements (like Form 5472) that carry steep penalties if missed, even for inactive companies.
This is the step that's easiest to ignore in year one and the most expensive to fix later.
Full breakdown: what taxes you owe in your first year, even with no revenue → taxhero.vc/blogs/first-year-us-taxes-zero-revenue
If you're opening a bank account back home, applying for a visa, or opening a subsidiary using your US incorporation documents, you may need them apostilled, a form of international certification that confirms the documents are legitimate. Not every situation requires this, but it's worth checking early since the process can take a few weeks depending on the state.
Full breakdown: when you need apostilled documents and how to get them → taxhero.vc/blogs/apostille-documents-us-company
None of these steps are hard on their own. They're just easy to do out of order, or skip entirely, when you're heads-down building and taxes feel like a future problem. They're not. The clock starts the day you incorporate.
Want a calendar that tells you exactly what's due and when for your specific company? Get your free, personalized startup tax calendar.
Get your free tax calendar → taxhero.vc/checkin
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and isn't legal or tax advice. Consult a licensed professional for your specific situation.
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