TL;DR:
- Stripe Atlas incorporates a Delaware C-corp (or LLC) for non-US founders. Cost: $500 one-time.
- Includes: incorporation, EIN, bank account, registered agent, founders' equity setup, post-incorporation tools.
- Best for: international founders launching SaaS / startups, raising US VC, accessing Stripe Connect.
What Is Stripe Atlas?
- Founded 2016.
- Incorporates Delaware C-corp or LLC for founders worldwide.
- $500 one-time fee.
- Used by 30,000+ companies globally.
What's Included
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| Delaware C-corp / LLC incorporation | Yes |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Yes |
| Mercury bank account | Yes |
| Registered agent (Delaware) | 1 year free, $100/year after |
| Founders' equity setup | Yes (Carta integration) |
| Stripe account | Yes (with Stripe Atlas tier benefits) |
| $50K AWS credits | Yes |
| Stripe community access | Yes |
Why International Founders Use Atlas
- US bank account — required for Stripe + many SaaS payments.
- Easier US VC fundraising — Delaware C-corp standard.
- Stripe Connect access — for marketplaces.
- US tax ID + business legitimacy.
- One-stop shop vs hiring lawyers separately ($2K-$5K).
How Stripe Atlas Works
- Sign up at stripe.com/atlas.
- Pay $500.
- Choose: C-corp (most startups) or LLC (single founder, simpler taxes).
- Provide founder + company info.
- Stripe handles:
- Delaware filing.
- EIN application.
- Mercury bank account.
- Founders' shares allocation.
- Receive incorporation docs in 5-7 days.
- Activate Stripe + start accepting payments.
Atlas vs Hiring a Lawyer
| Method | Cost | Time | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe Atlas | $500 | 5-7 days | Standardized, good for most startups |
| Lawyer (Cooley, etc.) | $3K-$10K+ | 2-4 weeks | Customized, premium |
| Online services (Clerky, Stripe alternatives) | $200-$1K | 5-14 days | Good for simple cases |
| DIY | $200-$500 | 2-6 weeks | Risky for non-experts |
C-Corp vs LLC
| Feature | C-corp | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tech startups raising VC | Solo founders, lifestyle businesses |
| VC investment | Required (most VCs only fund C-corps) | Limited |
| Taxes | Double-taxed (corporate + personal) | Pass-through (single tax) |
| Equity grants | Easy (stock options, ISOs) | More complex |
| Compliance | More complex (board, minutes) | Simpler |
| International founders | Yes (Atlas works) | Yes (Atlas works) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Stripe Atlas cost?
$500 one-time. Plus ongoing: registered agent ($100/year after first), Delaware franchise tax (~$300+/year for C-corp).
Do I need to be in the US?
No — Stripe Atlas is designed for international founders. Stripe handles US incorporation remotely.
How long until incorporation is complete?
5-7 business days for incorporation + EIN. Bank account setup may take 2-3 weeks total.
Do I need a US visa to use Atlas?
No — non-US founders incorporate without visa. Some pay tax differently (consult tax advisor).
Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase / Doola?
Atlas: $500, more polished, Stripe-integrated. Firstbase: $399, similar. Doola: from $297, includes some annual services. All work; Atlas most established.
Key Takeaways
- Stripe Atlas = incorporate Delaware C-corp / LLC for $500.
- Includes: incorporation + EIN + bank + Stripe + AWS credits.
- Best for: international founders, VC-track startups.
- Saves $2K-$10K vs hiring lawyer.
- 5-7 days for incorporation; 2-3 weeks total setup.
Launch your business with one link
Use a UniLink URL on bios — features your Stripe payment links + platforms. Free.