I Incorporated… Now What?

Filing your incorporation paperwork is just the first step. To become operational and investor-ready, there are several legal, tax, and setup actions to complete right after.

Why it Matters

Incorporating is just the beginning. To actually run your startup legally — hire employees, open a bank account, raise capital — you need to complete a handful of post-incorporation essentials.

Founders Checklist

Get your EIN from the IRS
Hold your initial board meeting or execute board consent
Adopt your bylaws and appoint officers
Issue founder stock and file 83(b) elections
Open a business bank account
Set up a cap table tool (e.g., Carta, Pulley)
Register to do business in your home state (foreign qualification)

Founder Fails

Didn’t open a bank account > mixed personal/business funds
Forgot to file 83(b) elections > tax nightmare later
Never adopted bylaws > blocked from closing seed round

When to ask for Help

You’re not sure what to prioritize after incorporating.
You’ve incorporated but haven’t issued stock or held a board consent.
You’re unclear about 83(b) elections and deadlines.
You want to use a cap table tool but aren’t sure which to pick.
You’re incorporating from outside the U.S. and need help with compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Isn’t filing incorporation enough?
A: Not quite. Filing your Certificate creates the legal entity, but the company isn’t fully operational until you take additional steps — especially issuing stock and appointing officers.

Q: What’s foreign qualification?
A: If you incorporated in Delaware but operate in another state (like California or New York), you must register there as a “foreign” corporation and pay applicable fees.

Q: Do I need a board meeting right away?
A: You can use a written consent instead. This document approves your bylaws, appoints officers, and authorizes stock issuance — it’s your startup’s first official action.