At what point did you incorporate (if at all), and why did you choose to incorporate when you did?
Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
1–10 of 57 posts
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#2[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#3Right after I quit my job and just before I decided to raise money.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#4I have one corporate entity that I use for both my "side projects" and for consulting work. Mostly did it to ensure limited liability. Also, if one of the projects goes big, it will make things easier later on. Also, if we're talking about iPhone apps and such, a corporate name looks more professional in the app store.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#5I've been running a site that started in 2000, never incorporated. Looked briefly at turning it into a non-profit a few years ago when I thought I was going to transfer it to new owners.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#6I ran a side project for about 12 months as a subsidiary of my main business, but as soon as I brought a co-founder on board for it (as the side project grew), I filed for creating a separate company (Australian Pty Ltd - even though my co-founder was US based). That way, I could formally list both of us as directors and shareholders on it. Much cleaner legally (and tax wise) too, plus it made it easier to set up a separate bank account etc.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#7From what I remember, in order to sign a lease for the solo office I was using, the property manager required payment from a business banking account (not an individual) and to have incorporation documents. It was at that point that I incorporated.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#8I have one corporate entity that I use for both my "side projects" and for consulting work. Mostly did it to ensure limited liability. Also, if one of the projects goes big, it will make things easier later on. Also, if we're talking about iPhone apps and such, a corporate name looks more professional in the app store.
Exactly, doing the same as well. Easier to keep your options open.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#9I incorporated after I decided I was going to make money, but before I actively started trying to make money. I figured it'd be easier to talk to potential customers if I could say the product was backed by a corporation.
I'm in a bit more conservative of an area than SV though, there's a different set of values. YMMV.
Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?
#10Somewhere around the 100k revenue point. I don't recall the exact reason, it was getting more serious at that point, I guess.
I wish I'd done it earlier, as certain loans (SBA) are only eligible if you're at least 2 years old. If you might pursue bank funding later for this, incorporate as soon as possible.