Foundation · Step 3 of 7

Form the company and get ready to get paid.

Separate your personal assets from the business, then get the EIN and bank account you need before you can legally take money. You file yourself, with every step laid out.

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Saves time

LLC, S-Corp and C-Corp compared side by side, a filing checklist with links to the IRS, and your SS-4 answers prepared before you open the form.

Saves money

Costs are laid out before you file, and you file yourself. ViableBrand charges nothing for this step.

Solid footing

Catch traps like the 30-day 83(b) window and entity mismatches between your formation and your EIN application.

The 2 activities in this step

Each one hands its answer to the next, so you never start from a blank page.

  1. Activity 1

    Formation / Incorporation

    Choose the right entity and file it.

    The usual way

    Picking an entity from a forum thread, or paying a formation service for paperwork you could file yourself.

    With ViableBrand

    Compare entities against your goals, configure your state, details and registered agent, and see the cost breakdown before you file. Filing fees are on hand for common states such as Delaware, Wyoming and Texas.

    You walk away with: An entity decision, a cost breakdown and a five-step filing checklist.

  2. Activity 2

    EIN & Banking

    Get your tax ID and business bank account.

    The usual way

    Starting the IRS form, timing out partway through, and finding out the bank needs documents you don't have.

    With ViableBrand

    A document checklist and your SS-4 answers ready in advance (the IRS form times out after about 15 minutes). The bank list covers Mercury, Relay, Chase, Bluevine and Brex, filtered by your entity.

    You walk away with: Everything ready for your EIN application and a shortlist of banks that fit.

What comes in

Your company name from Brand.

What goes forward

Your state sets the filing fee in your Startup Budget, your bank becomes the first row of Your Stack, and your company details fill your agreements.

You file this yourself. ViableBrand prepares the information for reference; it is not legal or tax advice, so consult a qualified attorney or accountant.

Make it official.

Your first Blue Ocean report is free, with no card needed. Every step of the journey, including this one, lives in the Founders Hub.

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Validation · Foundation · Financial · Launch