Set up the entity US investors already know. A Delaware C-Corp gives you SAFE and priced-round precedent, stock-option plans, and access to founder-friendly banking. CorpSec handles formation, registered agent, and EIN through licensed local partners.
The clearest signal you’re in the right jurisdiction - or that another one deserves a look.
US investors expect a Delaware C-Corp. The SAFE, the priced round, and the standard term sheet all assume Delaware corporate law, so you skip the conversion friction later.
If your customers, hires, or go-to-market are US-first, a Delaware entity gives you a clean home base for contracts, payroll, and banking with Mercury or Brex.
Stock-option plans and clean cap tables are routine in Delaware. Issuing founder stock, an option pool, and later employee grants follows well-worn precedent your lawyers and investors already know.
The jurisdictions founders weigh against Delaware, side by side - tax, speed and all-in cost at a glance.
Better fit if your team and customers are APAC-first and you want a regional HQ with strong treaties.
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A cleaner European base if you're selling into the UK and EU and want London credibility.
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Choose this for a fully digital, EU-resident company run remotely with low admin overhead.
View Estonia| Federal corporate income tax | 21% headline rate on corporate profits |
|---|---|
| State corporate income tax | No Delaware state corporate income tax on out-of-state activity; nexus rules apply as you scale |
| Delaware franchise tax | Annual; amount scales with authorized shares or assets, subject to method chosen |
| Federal employer ID | EIN required for banking, payroll, and tax filing |
| Pass-through option (LLC) | An LLC can be taxed as a pass-through; a C-Corp is taxed at the entity level |
| Tax treatment note | Figures are headline rates and subject to conditions; confirm with a US tax adviser for your facts |
| Standard fundraising entity | Delaware C-Corporation |
|---|---|
| Holding / small business entity | Delaware LLC |
| Governing law | Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) |
| Registered agent | Required in Delaware; included in CorpSec setup |
| Annual obligations | Franchise tax filing and annual report (corporations) |
| Cap table & equity | Founder stock, option pools, and SAFEs follow standard Delaware precedent |
Select the complete formation bundle, or mix and match individual services in Delaware. One checkout, one invoice.
A licensed local partner runs each step. You sign once and watch it progress.
More than 80% of US VC-backed startups incorporate in Delaware. Investors know the corporate law, the SAFE and priced-round documents assume it, and standard term sheets are written for it. Choosing Delaware removes friction from your raise.
If you plan to raise from VCs or grant stock options, choose a C-Corp — it's the fundraising standard. If you're bootstrapping, running a small business, or setting up a holding vehicle, an LLC is usually simpler and more flexible.
No. Non-US founders can form a Delaware company. You'll need a registered agent (included in CorpSec setup) and an EIN. Banking is handled through introductions to founder-friendly providers like Mercury and Brex, which often onboard remotely.
Year 1 starts from around $2,038 with CorpSec. Formation itself can be low, but registered agent, the Delaware franchise tax, and getting an EIN add up. The franchise tax scales with your authorized shares or assets, so the structure you choose matters.
No — that's a common misconception. You still pay the 21% federal corporate income tax. Delaware has no state corporate income tax on out-of-state activity, but as you grow and create nexus in other states, those state taxes can apply. Confirm specifics with a US tax adviser.
We make introductions to founder-friendly providers such as Mercury and Brex, which often onboard founders remotely. These are introductions, not guaranteed accounts — final approval rests with the bank and depends on your documentation and profile.
A licensed local team handles every step. Talk to a specialist →