Founder guide
Incorporate your startup in Delaware with Stripe Atlas
Stripe Atlas lets founders incorporate a Delaware company in two business days. The service costs US$500, with refunds and credits available for Stripe users.
Last checked 23 October 2026 against 4 official pages · 3 min read
- US$500
- Atlas fee
- 2 business days
- Incorporation time
- US$5,000
- Deposit for fee refund
- US$2,500
- Stripe product credits
What Stripe Atlas does
Stripe Atlas helps founders incorporate a Delaware C corporation or LLC. It generates and files incorporation documents, gets a company tax ID (EIN), issues founder equity, and files an 83(b) election. The process is done online without phone calls, faxes, or post office trips.
Atlas uses legal templates created with Cooley LLP, a startup law firm. Founders fill out company details, sign documents, and receive confirmation within two business days. The company is then ready to open a bank account, fundraise, and accept payments.
What founders get
After incorporating, founders receive a Delaware company with legal documents, a tax ID, and equity issued. They can generate a YC-standard Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) from the Stripe Dashboard.
Atlas startups get US$2,500 in Stripe product credits for their first year. They also receive over US$50,000 in discounts on tools like Google, Xero, and OAI. Founders can get the US$500 Atlas fee refunded if they deposit US$5,000 into a Stripe Treasury account.
Costs and refunds
The Stripe Atlas fee is US$500. Founders can get this fee back if they deposit US$5,000 into a Stripe Treasury account. Stripe Treasury is a banking product provided by Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC.
Stripe is not a bank. Deposits are insured through Fifth Third Bank. The refund offer may change, so confirm details on the official Stripe Atlas page.
Who Stripe Atlas suits
Stripe Atlas is designed for founders in over 175 countries who want to incorporate a Delaware company. It suits startups planning to fundraise, hire employees, or accept payments quickly after incorporation.
The service is used by founders building internet businesses, SaaS companies, and remote startups. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Founders with unique needs should consult a lawyer in their jurisdiction.
Legal and tax notes
Atlas is a technology service providing legal information and self-service tools. Legal document templates are created with Cooley LLP, which is not affiliated with Atlas. Using Atlas does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Atlas automates this filing as part of the incorporation process.
Additional resources
Stripe Atlas provides guides on equity for founders and employees, fundraising, taxes, and scaling organizations. C corporations, equity plans, and managing hypergrowth.
The guides are available on the Stripe Atlas guides page.
Step by step
- 1
Sign documents
Review and sign the incorporation documents generated by Atlas. These are created using templates from Cooley LLP.
- 2
Delaware incorporates your company
Atlas files the documents with Delaware. Within two business days, your company is incorporated, and you receive a tax ID.
- 3
Open a business bank account
Use your new company details to open a bank account. Deposit US$5,000 into a Stripe Treasury account to get the US$500 Atlas fee refunded.
- 4
Issue equity and file 83(b)
Atlas issues founder equity and files your 83(b) election. You can generate a SAFE from the Stripe Dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use Stripe Atlas if I’m not in the U.S.?
- Yes. Stripe Atlas is available for founders in over 175 countries.
- What is the 83(b) election, and why is it important?
- Atlas files this automatically.
- How long does it take to incorporate with Stripe Atlas?
- Incorporation takes two business days after you submit your documents. You can then open a bank account and start operating.
- Can I get the US$500 fee refunded if I don’t use Stripe?
- No. Confirm the latest terms on the official Stripe Atlas page.
- Does Stripe Atlas provide legal advice?
- No. Stripe Atlas is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Founders with unique needs should consult a lawyer.
- What types of companies can I form with Stripe Atlas?
- You can form a Delaware C corporation or LLC.
Official sources
Rules and amounts change. Check these before you apply.
- Stripe Atlas | Incorporate your startup in Delaware: C corp or LLC — stripe.com
- Atlas guides | Stripe Guides — stripe.com
- Stripe: Equity for employees — stripe.com
- Organisations and hypergrowth — stripe.com
How this guide was made: StartupReader wrote it with AI from the official pages above, read on 23 October 2026. Every figure and name in it was checked automatically against those pages, and anything they don't support was left out. It's re-checked every month. It isn't affiliated with the program. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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