Every year, thousands of founders fly to America to build companies and raise capital. Most hit the same invisible walls. We built Hustler's Library because our own families did too.
Get Your Free Personalised Roadmap →Eight things every international founder learns the hard way. You don't have to.
Most international founders assume they need a Social Security Number to register with the IRS. They don't. You can obtain an Employer Identification Number via Form SS-4 by phone or fax as a foreign national — no SSN, no ITIN required. This is your first step before opening a bank account or signing contracts. See the full walkthrough: How to Get an EIN as a Foreign National.
If you plan to raise from US venture capital firms, you need a Delaware C-Corporation. Full stop. US VCs will not invest in LLCs, S-Corps, or foreign entities. The Delaware C-Corp structure is the standard for a reason: it's clean, investor-friendly, and well-understood by every fund and attorney in the ecosystem. Compare your options: Delaware C-Corp vs LLC for International Founders.
Accepting equity from US investors can affect your visa status depending on your visa type. E-2 visa holders, F-1 OPT founders, and O-1 visa applicants all face different implications. Get an immigration attorney who works specifically with founders before you close a funding round.
Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically require an in-person visit and a Social Security Number to open a business account. Mercury Bank and Relay are built for this: remote-friendly, EIN-only, and founder-first. Open your account there first. Full guide: How to Open a US Business Bank Account as a Non-Resident.
US investors fund the founder as much as the idea. Relationship-building before the pitch matters: warm intros outperform cold decks by a significant margin. Accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Global are specifically designed to give international founders that network access. Deep dive: How to Raise VC Funding in the US as an International Founder.
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is for individuals who need to file US taxes but can't get an SSN. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is for your business entity. You may need both. They serve different purposes and are obtained through different processes.
Your choice of state matters more than most founders realise. Delaware is the standard for VC-backed startups: investor-friendly, battle-tested courts, and expected by US funds. Wyoming works well for lean LLCs with strong privacy protections and low fees. Texas and Florida are strong choices for businesses that will operate locally: no state income tax, growing founder ecosystems, and lower cost of operations than coastal states. Nevada offers similar tax advantages for businesses with a Western US footprint. You can incorporate in any state regardless of where you live, but the choice has real implications for taxes, legal fees, and fundraising. See our city guides below for a ground-level look at each major market.
Every step in the Hustler's Library Business Roadmap applies to international founders — but steps 2, 3, and 4 (Legal, Accounting, Finance) hit differently when you're operating cross-border. We've built a personalised journey track that surfaces the right resources for your specific situation.
Every step applies. These five hit differently when you're building cross-border.
Entity formation from abroad, Delaware C-Corp vs LLC, registered agent requirements for non-residents.
US tax obligations for foreign-owned entities, FBAR filing, cross-border accounting complexity.
Building US credit from zero, EIN-only banking, SAFE notes vs priced rounds for international raises.
Hiring in the US as a foreign owner, employer of record options, visa sponsorship for your own team.
CFIUS considerations for foreign investment, state-specific requirements, FinCEN beneficial ownership.
Before you book your flight, understand what each city's business climate means for your industry, your funding chances, and your cost of operations.
The authoritative government sources every founder needs bookmarked before they start.
Answer 9 questions and we will show you exactly where you are in the 13-step journey and what to focus on first.