Startup founders get lost in legal, accounting, and administrative tasks after incorporation, leading to stress and risks due to the lack of a clear, step-by-step plan
2026-01-06 01:48
1. Describe the problem:
When I launched my company, I used Stripe Atlas for incorporation — that was easy. But I had absolutely no idea what to do next: how to properly structure a board of directors, what it means to register as a 'foreign entity' in another state, how to handle bookkeeping with zero revenue, when to bring in an accountant and a lawyer. As a result, I figured things out through trial and error, which led to several stressful "uh oh" moments with state authorities and taxes.
2. How often does the problem occur?
This problem is critical in the very early stages, during the first few months after formally setting up the company. Each new administrative or legal requirement comes as a surprise and a potential risk.
3. What attempts have you made to solve the problem?
I dealt with issues as they arose, searching for information in a fragmented way. This approach is unsystematic and forces you to constantly "put out fires" instead of having a clear action plan from the very beginning.
4. How much are you willing to pay for the solution?
I would be willing to pay for a service or platform that, after the incorporation step, provides a personalized, step-by-step roadmap: what to do, when, and in what sequence regarding legal, accounting, and administrative matters for my company type and state, with reminders and the option to connect with vetted experts.
5. Problem author:
Name: Jeffrey Inman Country: USA Contacts:LinkedIn