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Ask HN: My app is live, should i register a company?

2 points by epynonymous ↗ HN
i have completed the first version my app (on the app store), this is a side project for me, and registered under myself. should i register a company, my reasons for incorporating would be to absolve personal financial liability and i do plan on charging money for the service so from a tax persepctive, separating the company taxes from my personal taxes, right now the app is free. anyone have experience on this, or can recommend a good lawyer with this type of background in the states? i am thinking particularly of a c corp in deleware. regarding equity, i had some folks helping me on the project, but i don't think they deserve any equity, but i've heard that single founder companies are not that desirable, funding is something i'm seriously considering, but the project is too early phase and i am doing most of the development and soon to be marketing myself. thanks in advance

2 comments

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espeed
If you don't have one already, set up an LLC for your development/consulting company to operate under. Until you get traction or funding, keep the app under your LLC. When you get funding, set up a Delaware C -- your investors will want it set up right so wait until then and have an experienced startup attorney do it properly. Regarding equity, unless they are a 50/50% co-founder, don't be doling out equity here and there. When you set up the Delaware C, your attorney will set up a vesting schedule for co-founders, employees, etc.