Built for · AI

A US company for an AI startup founded outside the United States

AI startups form US companies for the same reasons as any software company, and one more: many of their customers, their compute and their investors are in the United States, and all three prefer a US company to deal with.

Start a company The honest part

Usually
Structure: Wyoming LLC
Plan: Standard
On the day: $601.40
Every year: $309

01Why a US company

What it does for AI startups.

An AI product sells API usage or seats to companies that want a US vendor with a W-9, runs on cloud accounts billed to a company, and is often built expecting to raise money. A Wyoming LLC covers the first two and can be converted for the third. A Delaware C-Corporation covers all three from day one, at a higher yearly cost, and is the right choice if you already know investors are coming.

The three-question tool gives you the answer and the reasoning. In short, raising within two years points to Delaware, and being funded by customers points to Wyoming.

02What stands in the way

Three things in the way, and one way through.

Wall 01Enterprise buyers

A US vendor and a security review

Enterprise procurement wants a US company, a W-9 and often a security questionnaire.

Wall 02Billing

Usage billing needs a working processor

Processors for usage-based billing may not serve the country you live in.

Wall 03Investors

Programmes that expect Delaware

Many investors, accelerators and grant programmes expect a Delaware corporation.

The door

A US company, with its EIN and a US bank account.

An LLC if customers fund you, a Delaware C-Corporation if investors will. Both answer the walls above.

03The honest part

What to know before you order.

Credits and perks

Cloud providers and AI labs run credit programmes for startups. Most need a company, some prefer a Delaware corporation, and a few are only available through an accelerator or partner. The credits are the providers' to give, and a properly formed company is what they ask for.

Where the model is built

Research and engineering done outside the United States by a company with no US office or staff keep the income foreign-source. A US employee, a US office or a US salesperson with authority to sign changes that, so use US contractors and keep management where the founders are.

The plan that fits

Standard, usually.

Standard records the founders' ownership split, which every investor conversation starts with, and you can add the expedited EIN.

StandardFits AI startups

For founders who need a bank account, invoices and payments this month.

To start

$601.40 once

Includes the $102.40 Wyoming fee · then $309 a year

Choose Standard Compare every plan

04Questions

Questions from AI startups.

If yours is not here, email us at [email protected] before you order.

A Delaware C-Corporation if you expect to raise from US investors within two years, and a Wyoming LLC if customers will fund it. You can convert later, at the cost of legal fees.

Often. Each provider sets its own rules, and some prefer a Delaware corporation or an accelerator. A properly formed company with an EIN gets you in the door, and the rest is the provider's decision.

Also built for

Ready when you are

Answer the questions. We do the filing.

It takes about four minutes. You see the whole order, state fee included, before anything is charged.

Compare the plans

Step 1 of 10 · About four minutesNothing charged yet

Company name

LLC · WY

Name checked first · Same business day

Start a company

Standard$499 + $102.40 WyomingSame day