US INCORPORATION GUIDE

The Complete Guide to Incorporating in the US as a Nigerian Founder

Most Nigerian founders who incorporate in the US get the structure wrong.

Not the filing. The structure. And by the time they find out, they are mid-fundraise, losing a client contract, or sitting across from an investor's lawyer with paperwork that does not hold up. This free guide fixes that before it happens.

A US company is not automatically a US-ready company.

Here Are 3 Reasons Nigerian Founders Get Their US Structure Wrong

The Wrong Entity.

Choosing an LLC when you plan to raise from institutional investors means converting to a C-Corp later, at your own cost and on someone else's timeline. The structure decision comes before the filing, not after.

The Missing Link.

A US entity with no formal legal relationship to your Nigerian operations is not a company. It is a bank account with extra steps. Investors will find this gap. Clients will find this gap.

The Paper Trail

Founder equity issued without vesting. IP in a founder's name rather than the company's. Financial records that do not match the pitch deck. These are not edge cases. They are the issues most likely to derail your fundraise at the term sheet stage.

Inside the guide

We Will Cover...

Section 01

Why a US Entity Changes Everything

The wall most Nigerian founders hit is not their product. It is their legal structure. This section explains exactly what a US entity unlocks, and why the Nigerian-only path has a ceiling.

Section 02

LLC vs C-Corp. Delaware vs Wyoming.

The right structure depends on whether you are raising, who from, and how soon. We break down exactly which choice fits which situation with a clear decision rule so you are not guessing.

Section 03

Payments: Mercury, Stripe, Brex, Wise

The correct setup sequence, in order. With the specific friction points Nigerian founders run into on each platform that most guides leave out entirely.

Section 04

What US Investors Actually Check

Cap table, IP assignment, intercompany agreements, financial records. We cover what gets checked during due diligence and what needs to be in place before you send a single pitch deck.

Section 05

How to Close US Clients Without Friction

How to present your dual-entity structure to US procurement teams, handle the W-9 question, and contract from your US entity so clients never hesitate to work with you.

Section 06

The Five Post-Incorporation Mistakes

Most founders do not find out about these until the damage is done. This section names them specifically and tells you how to avoid each one before they become expensive problems.

Instant Access..

The Nigerian Founder's US Incorporation Guide

What You Need to Know Before You Incorporate in the US

Total Value: FREE

Every section is written specifically for Nigerian founders navigating the gap between Nigeria and the global market. Structure, payments, investor readiness, and US client positioning. Get it right before you file and you will not need to fix anything later.

Why are we giving this guide away for free?

Simple...

It's why we exist as a company.

Legal Trunk helps Nigerian founders and businesses build the legal infrastructure they need to compete globally. We handle US incorporation, IP protection, investor documentation, and cross-border compliance for founders who are serious about doing it right.

This guide is built from the work we do every day. Every section reflects a real decision a real founder got wrong, and what the correct answer looks like. If it helps you avoid one expensive mistake, it has done its job.

Legal Trunk

Your Brand Is Your Most Valuable Asset.

Stop Guessing. Get the Guide That Tells You Exactly What to Do Before You File.

Filing a US company costs money. Fixing a badly structured one costs more. Get the guide, get the structure right, and move forward with confidence.