Simplifying US Incorporation 
for Indian founders

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Inkle is Stripe's Cross-border Compliance Partner

US Entity Formation Guide

Detailed guide of how to use Stripe Atlas - for India residents

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India Entities Formation Guide

Detailed guide on India entity formations (LLP and Private Limited)

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Intro
Video

Inkle's founder Anand Krishna explains the process step-by-step!

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Read the blog on Stripe Atlas's relaunch for Indian founders!

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Incorporate the right way, in 3 easy steps

Select your incorporation structure
Meet the pre-requisite
requirements of your
chosen structure
Submit your decided entity
details & let us handle the rest!

Why choose Inkle?

Compliant for India Resident Founders

We specialise in helping Indian founders navigate the complexities of US incorporation, ensuring full compliance with both US and Indian regulations.

Comprehensive Services

From obtaining your Employer Identification Number (EIN) to opening a U.S. bank account, we handle all aspects of your business formation.

Digital & Collaborative

Designed for seamless collaboration, ensuring you stay informed and engaged throughout the process.

No Lawyers Needed

Stripe Atlas is a self-serve automated platform which can be used without the assistance of a US attorney. Inkle provides process guidance.

Powered by Stripe Atlas

Inkle has partnered with Stripe Atlas to bring you a compliant route to incorporation. The platform brings you the trust of Stripe Atlas & the expertise of Inkle.

Post-Incorporation Maintenance

Ongoing support to keep your business compliant with all necessary filings and documentation.

Inkle made my India > US subsidiary incorporation
smooth, easy and fast - loved it.

Badri V

Co-Founder at DevAssure

Choose your incorporation structure

1) US C-Corp only

Single US entity

Compliance
  • US regulations only.
Features
  • Only possible when all founders are not resident in India.
  • Best when you're raising from US/global investors.
2) India Parent with US-as-a-Subsidiary

India topco

Compliance
  • India regulations mainly, some US compliances needed.
  • Only 2 entities (India parent, US subsidiary)
Features
  • Works for founders teams who want to stay in India and raise from Indian investors.
  • Best if you are bootstrapped, a services company, building mainly for India (but need a US entity too), raising from Indian investors and for founders want to live in India.
3) US-as-a-Parent with India Subsidiary

Classic "triangle" structure

Compliance
  • More complex regulations in both countries and intragroup matters.
  • At least 3-4 entities, more costly to start and operate.
Features
  • Best for when founders want to eventually move abroad, or mixed residency teams, and who want to raise from global investors, and focus on US/global markets.

Cost & Timelines for the "Triangle" Structure

India LLP (one per founder)

Stripe Atlas fees: nil
Inkle partner fees: INR 15k (formation) + INR 40k (for the ODI process)

Platform
  • Inkle
Timeline
  • 2 weeks to form the LLP.
  • 1 week to get a bank account.
  • 2 weeks to complete the ODI (subject to your bank procedures)
US Delaware C-Corp (parent)

Stripe Atlas fees: USD 500
Inkle fees: nil

Platform
  • Stripe Atlas (Inkle will help)
Timeline
  • Just minutes to fill the forms.
  • 1-2 days to get the stamped certificate back from the government.
  • Post-incorporation setup will take a few hours of documentation signing and clarifying.
India Pvt Ltd (subsidiary)

Stripe Atlas fees: nil
Inkle partner fees: INR 40k (formation) + INR 40k (for the ODI process)

Platform
  • Inkle
Timeline
  • 1 week to get US docs notarised and apostiled.
  • 2 weeks to set up the India Pvt Ltd company.
  • 1 week to open a bank account.
  • 2-3 weeks to get the necessary US docs apostilled to set this Indian subsidiary up.

Steps to incorporate a US-as-a-parent entity

You'll end up with at least 3-4 entities in a "triangle": India LLP > US C-Corp > India Pvt Ltd

1. Form your Indian LLPs/RPs

Establish one Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or Registered Partnership (RP) per Indian-resident founder - this is the "family office" of each founder. If any non-Indian resident founders, they don't need this.

2. Register your US entity

Create the US Certificate of Incorporation, byelaws and other associated documents.

3. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Obtain an EIN from the IRS, which is essential for tax purposes and to open a bank account in the US.

4. Open your US bank account

Open with our banking partners.

5. Subscribe to founding stock

Each LLP (and non-Indian founder) will send funds to the US entity's corporate bank account to pay for their stock.

6. File an 83(b)

Each founder (LLP or person) should sign an 83(b) and send it to the IRS.

7. Form a wholly owned subsidiary Private Limited copany in India

Generally this will be needed, so create a subsidiary in India (wholly owned by your US entity), completing the "triangle". There are 3 ways to create a subsidiary in India, we recommend the "apostilisation" route.

Steps to incorporate a US-as-a-subsidiary entity

You'll end up with 2 entities: India Pvt Ltd > US subsidiary

1. Register your Indian parent company

Choose between Pvt Ltd, LLP or anything you wish. Pvt Ltd is the norm for venture backed companies in India

2. Create a US-as-a-subsidiary entity

Incorporate a US entity, wholly owned by the Indian parent from day zero.

3. Open your US bank account

Set up a business bank account in the U.S. to manage your finances and facilitate transactions for your new entity.

4. Indian parent entity buys the shares of US entity

Your Indian entity buys the shares and becomes the parent of the structure.

U.S. Incorporation

What's included in Stripe Atlas's C-Corp incorporation for Indian founders:
Incorporation Documents
Certificate of Incorporation
By-laws
Board consents
(appointing directors & officers)
Tax & Compliance
EIN
(Employer Identification number)
Founder Templates
Founder stock templates for LLPs / founders
Board resolutions for stock purchases
83(b) template
Not included (available seperately, Inkle can assist)
India LLP or Pvt Ltd subsidiary formation
Apostille services (if required)
Confidentiality and IP documents
83(b) filing
Stock plan adoption
Intragroup agreements
Attorney fees/advice
Mailroom services
Post-incorporation maintenance

Inkle went above and beyond, offering prompt assistance.
Highly recommended this for all startups looking for cost-effective solutions with exceptional customer support.

Ryan Wenger

Co-Founder at Inhouse

FAQs

Which founders should use the above structures?

Indian FEMA residents who wish to set up a US parent or subsidiary. Such founders may be all India residents or "mixed groups" (where one or more of the founders is India-resident, and one or more is not).

FEMA residency is a complex matter but the overall definition is: "The residential status under FEMA follows the main criteria that if an individual is in India for more than 182 days during the preceding financial year, he/ she shall be considered a Person Resident in India." More detailed discussion is required to establish the FEMA residency status of individuals, as there are other clauses which must be considered.

What is the necessity of the LLPs/RPs

Indian FEMA residents may not directly hold control-level stock in any foreign corporation if that foreign corporation is going to have a step-down subsidiary anywhere in the world. The founders must hold their foreign stock through a personal Indian LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) or RP (Registered Partnership) vehicle in India. Think of this LLP or RP as the "personal family office" of each founder. So each LLP/RP would contain only the founder and her/his family member, not any other co-founder.

Who do I pay?

Stripe for US entity formation.

Inkle for India entity formation.

Stripe Atlas handles the US entity incorporation (Inkle can give guidance, although Atlas is actually a self-serve platform). Inkle handles the India entities formation through our network of partner CA/CS firms in India.

What type of entities will I have?

US-as-a-parent: you will ideally have at least one India LLP per founder > one Delaware C-Corp > one Indian private limited company.

US-as-a-subsidiary: one Indian Private Limited company > one Delaware C-Corp or LLC

How long does it take?

US-as-a-parent: LLPs take about a month to create (formation, getting a bank account, starting the ODI process). Then the paperwork for the US parent takes just minutes to handle. Subsequently setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in India (a private limited company) takes about another month or so.

US-as-a-subsidiary: setting up a India Private Limited (Pvt Ltd) company takes a few weeks to do fully. The US subsidiary just takes a few minutes. Wiring the ODI payment from the Indian parent to US subsidiary takes a week or two more.

What ongoing support does Inkle provide after incorporation?

We offer post-incorporation maintenance services, including compliance tracking, bookkeeping assistance, and tax filing support for US entities. Inkle doesn't maintain Indian entities, but we'll connect you to partners that do.

What do I need to start getting ready?

Our team will assist you every step of the way. Before we kickstart your incorporation process with Inkle, please prepare the following information:

  • Brand Name: what will your brand name be? It's perfectly fine (and normal) for this to be completely different to your various entity names. Check that there is no US/India trademark violation or similar-named entities.
  • Entity name/s: decide on the entity names (follow the specific regulatory requirements).
How does Inkle work with Stripe

Inkle is Stripe's India Crossborder Compliance Partner for the purpose of helping Indian resident founders use Stripe's Atlas product. We give end-to-end guidance and help smoothen the process. Stripe Atlas is actually a self-serve product, so you don't need Inkle, but we're always here to help.

Does Inkle partner with Indian Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary and law firms?

Yes Inkle has already partnered with dozens of Indian CA/CS firms to help them help their clients with US+India incorporations. Inkle outsources India work to Indian professionals, so there is no overlap.

Is there a special login for CA/CS/law firms

Yes. Inkle has built Inkle Practice specifically for non-US CA/CS and law firms to access the platform and collaborate with our shared customers.

How can CA/CS/law firms partner with Inkle

Book a meeting using the button at the top of this page, and we'll get you started.

What should a CA/CS/law firm tell their customers

Indian CA/CS/law firms can direct their customers to this page, or handle the process for them end-to-end. We will need certain documents/details from the founders, which can be routed through you.

What does Inkle charge CA/CS/law firms

Nothing. Inkle is free for you. Your end customers will pay Inkle and Stripe the normal rack rates. You can charge your customers whatever fees you wish. Alternatively, you can add your fees on top and quote a combined fee to your customers.

Incorporate the right way, in 3 easy steps

Select your entity type
Understand your
incorporation route
Submit your entity details
& let us handle the rest

Why choose Inkle Incorporate?

Digital & Collaborative

Designed for seamless collaboration, ensuring you stay informed and engaged throughout the process.

Comprehensive Services

From obtaining your Employer Identification Number (EIN) to opening a U.S. bank account, we handle all aspects of your business formation.

Compliant for International Founders

We specialize in helping founders navigate the complexities of U.S. incorporation, ensuring full compliance as you scale.

No Lawyers Needed

Eliminates the need for expensive legal consultations, making incorporation accessible and straightforward.

Lifetime Docs

Continuous support to keep your business compliant with all necessary filings and documentation.

Post-Incorporation Maintenance

Ongoing support to keep your business compliant with all necessary filings and documentation.

Inkle offers free incorporation assistance

Number of users
File your State and Federal taxes
Compliance dashboard
Deadline tracker
Access to CPAs
Team collaboration
Document vault
Filing inbox
Foreign business entity addition
Year round W-forms and 1099s
Autofill historical data
Saved logs of previous tax filings
Standard
$300
/ year
File your taxes, track deadlines and compliance, access CPAs and more.
Upto 3 users
($100 per additional seat paid annually)
Fees for incorporation & post-incorporation setup
Customized number of shares issuance
Seamless EIN, bank account, & registered agent
Attorney collaboration portal
Add-ons for SAFEs,stock plan adoption
Managed 83(b)election filing
Lifetime document storage
Cashless founder stock purchase
End-to-end E-Sign
Best-in-class perk range
Additional Stripe discounts
Atlas Forum membership
$817
$717
$500
$250
Number of users
File your State and Federal taxes
Compliance dashboard
Deadline tracker
Access to CPAs
Team collaboration
Document vault
Filing inbox
Foreign business entity addition
Year round W-forms and 1099s
Autofill historical data
Saved logs of previous tax filings
Standard
$300
/ year
File your taxes, track deadlines and compliance, access CPAs and more.
Upto 3 users
($100 per additional seat paid annually)
Fees for incorporation & post-incorporation setup
End-to-end E-Sign
Seamless EIN, bank account, & registered agent
Best-in-class perk range
Atlas Forum membership
Managed 83(b)election filing
Lifetime document storage
Cashless founder stock purchase

Customized number of shares issuance
Attorney collaboration portal
Add-ons for SAFEs,stock plan adoption
Additional Stripe discounts
$817
$717
$500
$250

We've partnered with Clerky to provide assisted incorporation on their platform.

Inkle went above and beyond, offering prompt assistance.
Highly recommended this for all startups looking for cost-effective solutions with exceptional customer support.

Ryan Wenger

CEO at Inhouse

FAQs

What are lifetime docs and post-incorporation maintenance?

These include ongoing compliance support, charter amendments, NDAs, foreign qualifications, and more, ensuring your business remains in good standing.

Do I need a lawyer for incorporation?

No, our assisted service eliminates the need for expensive legal consultations. However, if you need legal advice, Clerky offers an optional attorney collaboration portal.

What’s included in the incorporation service?
  • Entity formation (Delaware C-Corp)
  • EIN application (Employer Identification Number)
  • Bank account setup
  • Registered agent services
  • Founder stock issuance
  • Lifetime documentation & compliance support
What’s the difference between Clerky and Stripe Atlas?

Both are trusted incorporation partners, but they offer different features:

Clerky – Best for founders needing flexibility in share issuance, add-ons like SAFEs and stock plans, and an attorney collaboration portal.

Stripe Atlas – Best for ease of use, fixed share issuance, and perks like cashless founder stock purchase and massive Stripe discounts.

Can India-resident founders use this service?

Yes! India-resident founders should use the other tab to incorporate their US entity.

Ready to simplify your incorporation journey? Try Inkle Incorporate now!