Stripe Atlas

Overview

Stripe Atlas is Stripe's startup incorporation product for founders who want to form a US company, usually in Delaware, and get the core legal and operational setup done in one guided workflow. On its official Atlas pages, Stripe says more than 100,000 founders have used Atlas, startups in over 140 countries have chosen it, and the service can incorporate a company, request an EIN, issue founder equity, file 83(b) elections, and unlock banking and fundraising steps in as little as two business days. The standard Atlas setup fee is listed at $500, including government filing fees and the first year of registered agent service, with $100 annual registered agent renewal after the first year. For founders comparing how to start a Delaware C corp or LLC from anywhere in the world, Atlas is one of the clearest self-serve paths on the market.

What You Can Find Here

• Incorporation for a Delaware C corporation or Delaware LLC through a guided online setup flow
• EIN filing support so your company can obtain a US tax ID from the IRS after formation
• Founder equity issuance tools, including support for vesting setup and initial stock purchase documents
• Automatic 83(b) election filing through Atlas for founders who need it after receiving stock subject to vesting
• Legal document templates created in collaboration with Cooley LLP for formation and early company operations
• Registered agent service that satisfies Delaware compliance requirements, included for the first year
• Post-incorporation resources for banking, taxes, accepting payments, and raising money with SAFEs
• Startup perks including $2,500 in Stripe credits and more than $50,000 in partner discounts

Who Should Use This

• Global founders who want to incorporate a US startup without hiring a law firm for every early formation step
• SaaS, AI, fintech, and venture-scale startup teams that expect investors to prefer a Delaware C corporation structure
• Solo founders and small teams that need incorporation, equity setup, and tax ID workflows in one product
• International founders who want a practical route to US incorporation before opening a business account and charging customers
• Operators preparing to fundraise with SAFEs and needing standard legal templates plus a Delaware company structure
• Founders comparing Stripe Atlas vs hiring counsel for basic formation and early startup paperwork

How to Get Started

1. Step 1: Visit stripe.com/atlas or docs.stripe.com/atlas and decide whether you need a Delaware C corporation or LLC before starting
2. Step 2: Create or sign in to a Stripe account, then enter your company details, founder information, and ownership structure
3. Step 3: Review the Atlas legal templates, select equity vesting terms if relevant, and sign the required formation documents
4. Step 4: Submit the Atlas application and let Stripe file the Delaware incorporation paperwork, registered agent setup, EIN request, and 83(b) election workflow
5. Step 5: After incorporation, follow the Atlas checklist to open a business account, activate payments, and prepare fundraising documents such as SAFEs
6. Step 6: Use the included perks and post-formation guides for taxes, banking, compliance, and running the company after launch

Things to Check Before Applying

• Stripe explicitly says Atlas does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice, so unusual ownership or regulatory situations may require counsel
• Atlas pricing covers standard formation and first-year registered agent service, but ongoing state, tax, and compliance obligations continue after setup
• You need to choose the right entity type up front because Delaware C corporations and LLCs have different tax, fundraising, and governance implications
• International founders may face country-specific rules around owning or reporting a US company, so review local compliance before incorporating
• Atlas helps with EIN filing, but tax ID timelines and banking readiness can still depend on government processing and partner requirements
• The $500 setup fee and later $100 annual registered agent cost are only part of the total cost of running a US company

Frequently Asked Questions