Start your company in a few simple steps
Incorporate in the U.S. state or territory you choose, issue founder equity, open your cap table, and continue straight into fundraising and company administration — without re-entering your information anywhere.
Start with Bright Capital America. Grow with Bright Capital America.
Most founders stitch together a filing service, a spreadsheet cap table, a data room and an investor tracker. Bright Capital America runs the whole path in one platform: what you enter at formation becomes your cap table, your investor records, your data room and your compliance calendar.
One continuous path
Information entered once at formation is reused across every later stage — no duplicate entry, no exports between tools.
Choose your jurisdiction and entity structure, review the filing requirements, and submit through a coordinated Bright Capital America filing workflow.
Record founders, share allocations, vesting and board seats once — with 83(b) deadline reminders where an election applies.
Founder equity initializes the cap table automatically. Common, preferred, options, warrants, SAFEs, convertibles, ESOPs and SPV holders live in one ledger.
Open a SAFE, priced equity, convertible note, debt, SPV, roll-up vehicle or syndicate round connected directly to the cap table.
Investor CRM, secure data rooms with a twelve-folder template, digital subscription workflows and investor updates with engagement tracking.
Compliance calendar, corporate document vault, board and governance records, employee equity and stakeholder portals.
Startup analytics, roll-up vehicles and fund administration continue on the same records as the company grows.
The formation workflow
Company information
- Proposed name and an alternative name
- Founders, business and mailing addresses
- Company email and phone
- Business description, industry and stage
- Intended ownership split
- Preferred jurisdiction and entity type
Jurisdiction selection
- All 50 states, the District of Columbia and supported U.S. territories
- Filing authority and filing requirements per jurisdiction
- Estimated government filing fee, shown separately from Bright Capital America fees
- Standard and expedited processing options, where a jurisdiction offers them
- Registered-agent requirement and annual report or franchise tax cadence
Company name check
- Availability review against the filing authority record
- Name reservation where the jurisdiction supports it
- Continue with an alternative name without restarting the order
Founder information
- Legal name, email, phone and address
- Citizenship or residency for eligibility review
- Role, title and board participation
- Ownership percentage, share count and vesting schedule
Registered agent
- Use the Bright Capital America registered-agent service or designate your own
- Eligible physical address confirmed in the formation jurisdiction
- Recurring renewal tracked on your compliance calendar with advance reminders
Formation documents
- Articles or certificate of formation for the selected entity and jurisdiction
- Organizational resolutions and initial consents
- Bylaws or operating agreement
- Founder agreements and stock purchase agreements
- Every generated document stored in your corporate document vault
Jurisdiction and entity information is presented neutrally for comparison. Bright Capital America does not recommend a state, territory or entity type, and nothing here is legal, tax or accounting advice. Document templates are not individualized legal advice. Choosing a structure may require a qualified professional.
Form a U.S. nonprofit and apply for 501(c)(3) status.
Nonprofit corporation is a selectable entity type in the Bright Capital America formation flow, alongside C corporations, LLCs, public benefit corporations, S corporation elections and professional corporations, subject to state availability. Qualifying nonprofits continue into Bright Capital America Philanthropy & Charitable Fund Administration.
501(c)(3) application — $450 Bright Capital America service fee + applicable IRS fees
IRS and state fees are government charges. They are confirmed before you authorize payment, are shown separately, and are never included in — or advertised as free with — the Bright Capital America service fee. Only the IRS can grant tax-exempt status.
Questions: support@brightcapital.fund
Choose any U.S. jurisdiction
All 50 states, the District of Columbia and supported U.S. territories. Delaware is never required and never pre-selected.
| Jurisdiction | Filing authority | Est. government fee | Ongoing filing | Registered agent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Secretary of State | ~$200 | Annual report · Business privilege tax may apply. | Required |
| Alaska | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing | ~$250 | Biennial report | Required |
| Arizona | Arizona Corporation Commission | ~$50 | Annual report | Required |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Secretary of State | ~$45 | Annual report · Annual franchise tax may apply. | Required |
| California | California Secretary of State | ~$70 | Biennial report · An annual minimum franchise tax may apply. | Required |
| Colorado | Colorado Secretary of State | ~$50 | Annual report | Required |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Secretary of the State | ~$120 | Annual report | Required |
| Delaware | Delaware Division of Corporations | ~$90 | Annual report · Annual franchise tax and, for corporations, an annual report fee apply. | Required |
| District of Columbia | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection | ~$99 | Biennial report | Required |
| Florida | Florida Division of Corporations | ~$125 | Annual report | Required |
| Georgia | Georgia Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs | ~$50 | Annual report | Required |
| Idaho | Idaho Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Illinois | Illinois Secretary of State | ~$150 | Annual report · Corporate franchise-related fees may apply. | Required |
| Indiana | Indiana Secretary of State | ~$100 | Biennial report | Required |
| Iowa | Iowa Secretary of State | ~$50 | Biennial report | Required |
| Kansas | Kansas Secretary of State | ~$165 | Annual report | Required |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Secretary of State | ~$40 | Annual report | Required |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Maine | Maine Secretary of State | ~$175 | Annual report | Required |
| Maryland | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation | ~$100 | Annual report · An annual report and possible personal-property return apply. | Required |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth | ~$500 | Annual report | Required |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | ~$50 | Annual report | Required |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Secretary of State | ~$155 | Annual report | Required |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Secretary of State | ~$50 | Annual report | Required |
| Missouri | Missouri Secretary of State | ~$50 | Varies | Required |
| Montana | Montana Secretary of State | ~$35 | Annual report | Required |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Secretary of State | ~$100 | Biennial report | Required |
| Nevada | Nevada Secretary of State | ~$425 | Annual report | Required |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services | ~$125 | Annual report | Required |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Secretary of State | ~$50 | Varies | Required |
| New York | New York Department of State, Division of Corporations | ~$200 | Biennial report | Required |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Secretary of State | ~$125 | Annual report | Required |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Secretary of State | ~$135 | Annual report | Required |
| Ohio | Ohio Secretary of State | ~$99 | Varies | Required |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Oregon | Oregon Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Department of State | ~$125 | Annual report | Required |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Department of State | ~$150 | Annual report | Required |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Secretary of State | ~$110 | Varies | Required |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Secretary of State | ~$150 | Annual report | Required |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Secretary of State | ~$300 | Annual report · Franchise and excise tax registration may apply. | Required |
| Texas | Texas Secretary of State | ~$300 | Annual report · An annual franchise-tax report is generally required. | Required |
| Utah | Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code | ~$54 | Annual report | Required |
| Vermont | Vermont Secretary of State | ~$125 | Annual report | Required |
| Virginia | Virginia State Corporation Commission | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Washington | Washington Secretary of State | ~$200 | Annual report | Required |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions | ~$130 | Annual report | Required |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Secretary of State | ~$100 | Annual report | Required |
| Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Department of State | Confirmed on review | Varies | Required |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | USVI Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Division of Corporations | Confirmed on review | Varies | Required |
| Guam | Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation | Confirmed on review | Varies | Required |
| American Samoareview required | American Samoa Office of the Treasurer | Confirmed on review | Varies | Required |
| Northern Mariana Islandsreview required | CNMI Department of Commerce, Registrar of Corporations | Confirmed on review | Varies | Required |
Shown as an estimate. The exact government fee is confirmed against the filing authority before you authorize any payment.
Territory filings are coordinated case by case. Where a territory is shown as review required, Bright Capital America confirms current filing requirements with the authority before accepting an order.
Entity types
Available entity types are shown dynamically for the jurisdiction you select: C corporation, LLC, public benefit corporation, S corporation election eligibility, professional corporation, nonprofit corporation and other structures a jurisdiction supports.
Limited liability company
A state-law entity with flexible management and member-defined economics. Tax treatment depends on elections and member circumstances.
Tax classification and operating-agreement terms require professional review.
Corporation
A state-law corporation with shares, directors, and officers. Sub-type and tax election depend on eligibility and objectives.
Share structure and tax election require professional review.
C corporation
A corporation taxed at the entity level. Frequently used where outside equity investment is expected, but suitability depends on facts.
Entity-level taxation and shareholder consequences require professional review.
Benefit corporation, where available
A corporation with a stated public-benefit purpose and related reporting duties. Availability and requirements vary by state.
Purpose statement and reporting duties require professional review.
Nonprofit corporation
A state-law nonprofit corporation formed for a charitable, educational, religious, scientific, or similar purpose, with no distribution of profits to owners. Federal tax exemption is a separate application to the IRS.
Selectable where the state authorizes it. Purpose and dissolution language, director requirements, and any 501(c)(3) application require professional review.
S corporation election, where eligible
A federal tax election available to an eligible corporation or LLC. It is not a separate state entity form and depends on shareholder and share-class eligibility.
Eligibility and timing of the election require professional tax review.
Professional corporation, where available
A corporate form some states reserve for licensed professions, with ownership generally limited to licensed individuals.
Licensing eligibility and state naming rules require professional review.
Other supported state structure
Additional structures a state makes available, such as certain partnerships or series entities, where the state supports them.
Availability confirmed against the state registry and professional review.
Bright Capital America does not pre-select a state or entity type for you. The comparison above is neutral information, not a recommendation; the appropriate structure depends on legal and tax circumstances and requires professional review.
Not every nonprofit corporation qualifies for 501(c)(3) recognition, and not every organization is eligible for Form 1023-EZ. Eligibility, purpose clauses, dissolution language, and governance terms are reviewed before an application is prepared. Only the Internal Revenue Service can grant, deny, or revoke tax-exempt status. Bright Capital America does not promise approval, a processing time, or any tax outcome.
Form a U.S. nonprofit and apply for 501(c)(3) status.
Nonprofit corporation is a selectable entity type in the Bright Capital America formation flow, alongside C corporations, LLCs, public benefit corporations, S corporation elections and professional corporations, subject to state availability. Qualifying nonprofits continue into Bright Capital America Philanthropy & Charitable Fund Administration.
501(c)(3) application — $450 Bright Capital America service fee + applicable IRS fees
IRS and state fees are government charges. They are confirmed before you authorize payment, are shown separately, and are never included in — or advertised as free with — the Bright Capital America service fee. Only the IRS can grant tax-exempt status.
Questions: support@brightcapital.fund
After you incorporate
EIN and tax workflows
Tracked end to end, with no taxpayer identifier ever placed in a web address, log, profile or email.
- EIN status: Not started → Information required → Submitted → Pending → Completed
- 83(b) election workflow with the filing deadline and escalating reminders
- State tax and registration checklist per jurisdiction
- Tax and legal disclaimers surfaced at every decision point
Equity and cap table
Founder equity setup initializes the cap table — nothing is entered twice.
- Founders, common and preferred, options, warrants, SAFEs, convertibles, ESOPs and SPV holders
- Current and fully diluted ownership with complete transaction history
- Dilution and round scenario modeling
- Stakeholder portals for employees and investors
Fundraising
Rounds are created against the live cap table, not a separate copy.
- SAFE, priced equity, convertible note, debt, SPV, roll-up vehicle and syndicate rounds
- Investor CRM from prospect through invested or passed
- Secure data rooms with a twelve-folder template, watermarks, NDA gating and access audit
- Investor updates with delivery and engagement tracking
Money movement and analytics
Connected through approved providers behind a Bright Capital America experience.
- Approved bank and payment infrastructure for commitments and closings
- Verified digital-asset wallets with AML screening
- Cash, runway and burn analytics
- Fundraising and valuation analytics
Administration center
Everything a company has to keep current, on one calendar.
- Annual reports, franchise taxes and registered-agent renewals
- Board and shareholder meeting scheduling
- Corporate document vault with versioning and access history
- Board and governance: meetings, resolutions, voting and written consents
Already incorporated
Bring an existing company onto the platform without re-keying history.
- Import an existing cap table and securities
- Import prior and active rounds
- Import investor records and contacts
- Import corporate documents into the vault
Bright Capital America is not a bank, custodian, money transmitter, law firm, filing authority, broker-dealer or investment adviser. Money movement, custody, payment processing, formation filings and identity verification are performed by authorized independent providers under a Bright Capital America-branded experience.
Transparent pricing
Bright Capital America fees, government fees and optional services are always itemized separately before you authorize anything. There are no third-party formation products, resale fees or hidden charges.
Bright Capital America service fee
Charged by Bright Capital America for the formation workflow, document generation and your company workspace.
- Bright Start$450 / year
Formation coordination, founder stock workflow, cap table and document workspace.
- Bright Accelerate$1,250 / year
Everything in Bright Start, plus operating agreements and financing workflows.
- Bright Raise$3,500 / year
Everything above, plus equity-plan administration and grant management.
Government filing fees
Paid to the filing authority, never marked up and never folded into a Bright Capital America amount. The exact fee is confirmed against the authority before you authorize payment.
- State or territory filing feeVaries by jurisdiction
Shown as an estimate on the jurisdiction you select, then confirmed at authorization.
- Name reservationVaries by jurisdiction
Only where the jurisdiction offers and you request reservation.
- Annual report or franchise taxVaries by jurisdiction
Ongoing obligation of the company; tracked on your compliance calendar.
Optional services
Added only if you select them.
- Registered agentOptional, renews annually
Use the Bright Capital America service or designate your own agent at no Bright Capital America charge.
- Expedited filingJurisdiction fee plus coordination
Available only where the filing authority offers expedited processing.
- EIN assistanceCoordination fee
The IRS does not charge for an EIN. Eligible founders may apply directly at no cost instead.
Know exactly where your company stands
Your formation status tracker updates at every stage, and your company is only described as formed once the filing authority records acceptance.
- 1. Order submitted
Your information is complete and the order is queued for review.
- 2. Name confirmed
The company name is cleared or reserved with the filing authority.
- 3. Filing in progress
The formation document is submitted to the filing authority.
- 4. Filing approved
The authority has recorded the entity. Only now is the company described as formed.
- 5. EIN issued
The tax identification workflow has completed.
- 6. Founder equity issued
Founder shares, vesting and any 83(b) deadlines are recorded.
- 7. Cap table live
Ownership is initialized from founder equity, ready for new securities.
- 8. Money movement connected
Approved payment and banking infrastructure is linked to the company.
- 9. Ready to raise
Rounds, investor CRM and data rooms are open for your first raise.
You are notified when
- A document is waiting for your signature
- A compliance or election deadline is approaching
- The filing authority has changed your order status
- An investor has committed to an open round
- A registered-agent or annual report renewal is due
Frequently asked questions
Can I incorporate outside Delaware?
Yes. Bright Capital America supports all 50 states, the District of Columbia and supported U.S. territories. No jurisdiction is required or pre-selected for you, and we do not recommend one — the comparison is neutral information, and the right choice depends on your legal and tax circumstances.
Does Bright Capital America use a third-party formation product?
No. Bright Capital America runs its own formation workflow, document generation, filing coordination and provider infrastructure. You stay inside Bright Capital America from the first question to the finished company record.
How are fees presented?
Bright Capital America service fees, government filing fees and optional services are itemized separately before you authorize anything. Government fees are shown as estimates until confirmed against the filing authority, and they are never marked up.
Can founders outside the United States form a U.S. company?
International founders are supported. Eligibility, identity verification, registered-agent requirements and tax registration steps vary, and some jurisdictions or entity types may require additional review before an order is accepted.
Can I form a nonprofit?
Yes. Nonprofit corporation is a selectable entity type where the state authorizes it, and Bright Capital America also prepares the federal 501(c)(3) exemption application for a $450 Bright Capital America service fee plus applicable IRS fees, which are government charges shown separately and never included in the Bright Capital America fee. Only the IRS can grant exemption, purpose and governance language require professional review, and qualifying nonprofits continue into Bright Capital America Philanthropy & Charitable Fund Administration.
I already have a company. Can I still use Bright Capital America?
Yes. Add an existing company to import your cap table, securities, rounds, investors and documents, then continue with fundraising, investor management and administration on the same records.
Is Bright Capital America a law firm or a bank?
No. Bright Capital America provides technology and administrative workflows. Filings, custody, payments, identity verification and regulated professional work are performed by authorized independent providers or qualified professionals.
How do I reach support?
Email support@brightcapital.fund. That is the only Bright Capital America support channel for formation and company accounts.