Every Great Venture
Starts with One Step
The Delaware corporation is the gold standard for many early-stage startups and venture-backed founders. But setting it up the wrong way can cost you time, money, and credibility - especially when it comes time to raise capital or bring on partners.
Apex Corporate Law helps founders incorporate their startups the right way from day one. Our attorney-managed startup legal package is designed to give you a clean, compliant, and investor-ready legal foundation, without the guesswork. We handle the details, so you can stay focused on building your business.
Ready to move forward?
Startup Legal PackageS for Early-Stage Founders
Incorporation
Shouldn’t Be a Gamble
Incorporating your startup isn’t just paperwork. It’s the legal foundation that shapes everything from taxes and liability to how easily you can raise capital and issue equity.
This is where many founders get stuck. Some rush through incorporation without understanding the long-term impact. Others delay it entirely, creating problems later when investors, banks, or partners get involved. You deserve a better start.
At Apex Corporate Law, we help early-stage founders and entrepreneurs incorporate their businesses the right way, with a structure that supports growth and fundraising. We regularly assist founders forming Delaware and Wyoming corporations, and guide them through the decisions that matter most early on.
Get the answers you need to move forward with confidence.
INCORPORATe with apex
After your strategy session, if you decide to move forward, we offer a complete, attorney-managed Startup Legal Package for founders who want their incorporation done right - start to finish.
The Apex Startup Package covers everything required to properly incorporate your business and establish a clean legal foundation from day one (see the incorporation checklist below). If you choose to work with us, here’s what you can expect.
Stress free
You won’t have to worry about a thing when you go with Apex. We’ll take care of the entire incorporation process from beginning to end, freeing you up to focus on what matters - building your business.
The billable hour sucks for entrepreneurs.That’s why we always offer transparent, flat fee billing. Standard corporation set up ranges between $1600 and $2600, depending on your features (i.e. number of founders, S Corporation).
Flat Fee
Before drafting a single document, we sit down with you to understand the nuances of your business, tailoring your incorporation to fit your needs. We take pride in understanding our clients’ goals, to give them the best advice.
white glove service
INCORPORATION Checklist
Proper startup incorporation involves more than filing a single form. Below is a high-level checklist of the key steps founders typically need to complete when forming a corporation.
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The first step to setting up your corporation is to choose the jurisdiction you want to set up in.
There are 2 standout jurisdiction in this regard - Delaware and Wyoming.
Delaware is the premium option, most often seen as the gold standard when it comes to corporations. It’s the structure most favoured by investors and venture capital firms. It is, however, more expensive.
Wyoming offers low fees, and low taxes, along with a simplified set up process. However, Wyoming corporations do not enjoy the same level of prestige as Delaware corporations.
While Delaware and Wyoming are both excellent choices, there are tons of other options, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Once your corporation is set up in a jurisdiction, moving it is practically impossible. So make sure you get it right.
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Corporations must have an agent for service of process (called a "registered agent"). The agent is the “official contact” for legal communications (i.e. a lawsuit).
For businesses incorporated in New York, the New York Secretary of State is the default registered agent.
But for businesses incorporated in Delaware, you’ll need to appoint one. There are a number of businesses which offer registered agent services.
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Next, it’s time to breathe life into your corporate entity, by filing your articles. There are two ways to do this:
Online: Use the DOS's On-Line Filing System for New York, or Delaware Division of Corporations.
By Mail: If you prefer the old-school method, mail your completed certificate to the relevant body.
If incorporating in New York, the Department of State offers a bare-bones certificate form.
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Your minute book is your corporation’s official record. It helps ensure your business remains legally valid and that your corporate liability protection holds up if your company is ever challenged.
As a starting point for your minute book, you’ll need a set of corporate bylaws.
Corporate bylaws are an internal rulebook that sets out how your corporation, as a legal “person,” makes decisions and operates.
In both New York and Delaware, having signed corporate bylaws is mandatory. Failing to take this step can put the validity of your corporation at risk.
At a minimum, your corporate bylaws should address:
how the corporation is structured (for example, the number of directors and officer positions)
how shares are issued
the process for meetings of directors and shareholders
how the board and officers are elected and appointed, and
the rights and obligations of directors, officers, and shareholders
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While the corporation is a legal “person”, it cannot make its own decisions. This of course, falls on the directors.
For most new startups, the initial directors appointed will be the founder themselves.
As first step, the directors should pass a resolution (an official “decision” by the corporation).
The first director’s resolution typically:
appoints corporate officers (i.e. CEO, CFO, COO)
adopts bylaws
select a corporate bank
authorize the issuance of shares of stock
set the corporation's fiscal year, and
adopt an official stock certificate form and corporate seal
Election of s-corporation status (see business formation & incorporation)
The resolution is then added into the Corporation’s minute books.
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Once the first director’s resolution has been passed, the corporation can now issue shares of its stock out to the founders.
There are many considerations to keep in mind when issuing stock, as once stocks are issued, they typically cannot be taken back. For this reason, it is extremely important for a vesting agreement to be put in place, allowing shares in the company to trickle out.
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Corporations are generally required to keep accurate records of their structure, including shareholders, directors, and officers.
While more sophisticated companies will use cap table software (like Carta) to do this, most startups will keep a registry on a word document.
Ratifying the share registry is a crucial part of incorporation, locking in the initial set up of the company.
It is important for companies to regularly review their registry, to ensure that it’s kept up to date.
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Finally, it is important for all the founders involved in the business to sign their intellectual property over the business. This ensures that any work they produce is owned by the business, and not by the founders themselves.
This step is essential if you want to raise money for your business down the line. One of the first things investors will want to check as a part of due diligence is IP ownership.
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Finally, once the shares have been issued, we get to the shareholder’s agreement, which sets out the rights an obligations of each shareholder.
While there is no statutory requirements for a shareholders agreement, having one in place is essential for ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
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Depending on your business’ needs, you may want to elect S-Corporation Status.
S-Corporations are taxed just like LLCs, with pass-through to their owners. Depending on your tax situation, this could be hugely beneficial, especially if your corporation is your primary source of income.
FAQs
How does the startup package help my business?
The Startup Package helps founders set up their business with a clean, legally sound foundation from day one. Working with a startup lawyer early ensures your key decisions - like business structure, founder arrangements, and compliance - are made intentionally, not reactively. Too many startups run into avoidable issues later because these basics weren’t handled properly at the start. Early legal guidance protects your business, reduces risk, and positions your startup for smoother growth, fundraising, and market entry.
Can I do this myself?
In some cases, yes - but it depends on what you’re building. The digital age has made legal information and templates more accessible, and for very simple businesses (like a basic LLC), a DIY approach can be feasible. We even encourage founders to educate themselves about the process. Startup incorporation, however, is far more complex. Decisions around structure, equity, IP, and compliance can have long-term consequences. Mistakes made early often surface later during fundraising, partnerships, or hiring - when they’re harder and more expensive to fix. Your time is also valuable. For most founders, focusing on building the product and growing the business is a better use of energy than navigating complex legal requirements alone.
What’s included in the startup package?
The Startup Package includes a comprehensive set of legal services designed to help new businesses get set up the right way. This typically includes incorporation services, foundational legal documentation, intellectual property strategy guidance, and assistance with obtaining your Employer Identification Number (EIN). The goal is to give your startup a solid legal foundation you can confidently build on.
Are government filing fees and taxes included?
Our startup package is designed to be all-inclusive, covering all government filing fees and taxes associated with the services provided. This transparency ensures that the price you are quoted is exactly what you will pay, with no hidden fees or surprises.
What jurisdictions can i incorporate in?
You can incorporate in any U.S. state. That said, many founders choose Delaware or Wyoming, as they’re two of the most common jurisdictions for startups. Each state has its own advantages and trade-offs, and the right choice depends on your business goals, growth plans, and funding strategy. We’ll walk through these considerations with you during a consultation to help you make an informed decision.
Do I have to be located in the US to incorporate there?
No - anyone can set up a US entity, even foreign residents.
Can I customize the Startup Package based on my specific needs?
Yes - absolutely.
While the Startup Package covers core legal essentials, every startup is different. We’re happy to tailor the scope to include additional services your business may need, such as trademark registration or setting up an employee stock option plan.
Any add-on services are discussed in advance, quoted clearly, and only billed after your approval.
How long does it take to complete the services included?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of your startup and the services involved.
In many cases, the initial setup and incorporation can be completed within a few weeks. We prioritize accuracy and alignment with your business goals over speed, and we’ll provide a more specific timeline during your consultation.
What if I need legal services beyond what the Startup Package offers?
We continue supporting startups as they grow.
If you need legal help beyond the Startup Package — whether for fundraising, hiring, contracts, or ongoing compliance — we can provide additional services on an as-needed basis. Any next steps and costs are discussed upfront so you can make informed decisions.
How do I get started with the Startup Package?
Getting started is simple. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation, where we'll discuss your business vision and how our Startup Package can meet your needs. From there, if it seems like we’re the right fit, we can begin the process, and put together an action plan for building the foundation of your business.