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Startup incorporation checklist

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Re: Startup incorporation checklist

#3

Post by swampthing »

It's worth mentioning that incorporation by itself doesn't get you very far in terms of protecting against personal liability. It's really just the first step in company formation. You'll want to appoint directors and officers as well. And to protect against departures, IP issues, etc., you'll also want to issue stock with vesting to founders, and have everyone enter into IP agreements.

We've automated all of this at Clerky - you can do everything completely online using our software. We do a ton of company formations. If anyone has any questions on the topic, feel free to ask!

Re: Startup incorporation checklist

#5

Post by mkagenius »

ttmarek wrote: post #2

Has anyone here tried Atlas ( https://stripe.com/atlas )? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Awesome experience. We were already incorporated in India and had gone through a month long process of back and forth to finally get the company registered. Scanning copies, attaching it to emails. Re-sending the documents when something was a miss. Lot of pain.

While in stripe it was a breeze. We got incorporated + a bank account in 3 days, I guess. Signatures were online, no hardcopy or anything. (and the 15K aws credits)

edit: Hey @cmadan, my email is @gmail.com

Re: Startup incorporation checklist

#7

Post by mcorrand »

Some other resources that have served me well - not for incorporation per se, but the next few steps in setting up a healthy corporation:

- Docracy.com has some good templates (contributed by some incubator I can't recall) for bylaws, ip assignation, founder terms, terms of service and privacy policy and customer contracts, etc.

- Listing a phone number with one of the large online directories helps with various verifications (including EV SSL if you need it and facebook page)

- insureon.com to shop for insurance.

- Get bookkeeping software. Right away, and keep it up to date

Edit: the docracy docs are by Techstars: https://www.docracy.com/userprofile/show?userId=30 and Orrick, a law firm: https://www.docracy.com/p/10881/orrick

Re: Startup incorporation checklist

#8

Post by cmadan »

mkagenius wrote: post #5
ttmarek wrote: post #2

Has anyone here tried Atlas ( https://stripe.com/atlas )? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Awesome experience. We were already incorporated in India and had gone through a month long process of back and forth to finally get the company registered. Scanning copies, attaching it to emails. Re-sending the documents when something was a miss. Lot of pain. While in stripe it was a breeze. We got incorporated + a bank account in 3 days, I guess. Signatures were online, no hardcopy or anything. (and the 15K aws c…

Do you mind sharing your email address? We are in a similar situation (India incorporated) and exploring incorporation in USA. Have a few questions.

Re: Startup incorporation checklist

#9

Post by usrbintaco »

You can save on the incorporation services by downloading forms directly from a given state's Secretary of State site. Most states have clear instructions on how to fill everything out and where to submit the paperwork and payment. Incorporation service companies are great, but if you're trying to bootstrap a startup every dollar counts.

Additionally, if there will be multiple owners/members of the new entity I strongly suggest buy/sell agreements (basically a contract stating who can sell their interest and when and to whom - saves a lot of headache later to figure these things out up front).

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