Land in New York. Grow across the US.

The biggest concentration of enterprise buyers and capital in the US, in one region.

• NYC tech companies raised about $28B in 2025, up 8% on 2024 (Tech:NYC).
• 83 Fortune 500 headquarters across the three states in 2026: NY 53, NJ 15, CT 15.
• More than 203,000 tech jobs in New York City alone (Tech:NYC, Dec 2025).
• Plan for the costs: Midtown office asking rents were about $85 per sq ft in Q3 2026 (CBRE), and talent is competitive.

Private capital at every stage, and state programmes built for companies like yours.

• SBIR/STTR non-dilutive R&D funding is back: reauthorized on 13 Apr 2026 through 2031. Majority US-owned only.
• New York: Excelsior Jobs tax credits and the NY Global Entrepreneurs programme (ESD).
• NYC: the International Landing Pad Network (NYCEDC) for growth-stage companies.
• New Jersey: NJ BASE soft landing in Jersey City (opened May 2026) and the NJ AI Hub in Princeton.
• Connecticut: Connecticut Innovations pre-seed funding for companies based in the state.
• SelectUSA Investment Summit: 2–5 May 2027, National Harbor, MD.

A Delaware C-Corp if you'll raise US venture capital; a US subsidiary if you're an established company.

• Delaware C-Corp is what US investors expect. An LLC suits holding or services, rarely venture.
• Register the company in each state where you do business (NY, NJ or CT) and appoint an in-state registered agent.
• No SSN? You can't use the IRS online form for your EIN: apply by phone, fax or mail with Form SS-4.
• Beneficial ownership (BOI): since 14 Aug 2026, US-formed companies are exempt. Foreign companies registered in the US still file.
• 25% or more foreign-owned? File Form 5472 with your federal return every year.

Fintech banks onboard non-resident founders remotely; traditional banks usually want you in a branch.

• Bring formation documents, your EIN letter, passports for every 25%+ owner and a US address.
• Expect days to a few weeks of identity checks; some home countries are excluded by some providers.
• US enterprise buyers will ask for a W-9 and pay by ACH into a US account.

Federal, state and, in New York City, city corporate tax, plus sales tax once you pass a state's threshold.

• Federal corporate tax: a flat 21%.
• New York State: up to 7.25%, extended through 2029, plus the MTA surcharge. NYC adds 8.85%.
• New Jersey: 9%, plus a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee on NJ income over $10M (2024–2028).
• Connecticut: 7.5%, with a 10% surtax on larger companies extended to 2026–2028.
• Sales tax: NY $500k and 100 sales; NJ $100k or 200 sales; CT $100k and 200 sales. Software taxes differ by state.
• Check your home country's tax treaty and price intercompany charges at arm's length.

Founders usually look at O-1, E-2 or L-1. Talk to immigration counsel early: it's the step that takes longest.

• O-1: extraordinary ability, no lottery, up to 3 years at first. Popular with founders.
• E-2: treaty investors only; a substantial investment, no fixed minimum.
• L-1: move someone who worked 1 year abroad in your company; a new US office gets 1 year at first.
• H-1B: the FY2027 lottery is weighted by wage level, and the $100,000 fee is in court. Check its status before filing.
• International Entrepreneur Parole: still listed by USCIS for founders with qualifying US investment.
• Business trips on ESTA or B-1: meetings, conferences and signing deals are fine; working is not. ESTA now costs $40.
• Premium processing is $2,965 since 1 Mar 2026.

Start with an employer of record, then move to your own payroll once you have an entity and a team.

• Employer of record: hire before you have a US entity, for a fee per person.
• Own payroll: register with each state's labour department, plus workers' comp, disability and paid family leave (NY, NJ) and unemployment insurance.
• Employment is at-will in all three states, but anti-discrimination and leave laws apply.
• Salary ranges in job ads are required in NY and NYC, in NJ since June 2025 and in CT since October 2026.
• Using AI to screen candidates in NYC needs a yearly bias audit and a notice to candidates (Local Law 144).
• Budget health insurance on top of salary: US candidates expect it.

State privacy laws apply by where your users live; sector rules apply by what data you hold.

• New York SHIELD Act: reasonable security, and breach notice to residents within 30 days.
• New Jersey Data Privacy Act: in force since 15 Jan 2025.
• Connecticut Data Privacy Act: amended, with lower thresholds, from 1 Jul 2026.
• New York RAISE Act: rules for frontier AI developers from 1 Jan 2027.
• Federal sector rules: HIPAA for health data, GLBA for financial data, COPPA for children.

The things US enterprise buyers ask for in the first contract.

• Insurance: general liability, E&O and cyber for customers; D&O once you have a board.
• Trademarks: file early with the USPTO; foreign applicants need a US-licensed attorney.
• Contracts: buyers send their own MSA, data and security terms. Expect to negotiate.
• Security: SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 is often required before a deal.
• Yearly filings: Delaware franchise tax (1 Mar), state annual reports, Form 5472, sales tax.