What is a Branch Office?
Generally, when a foreign client starts a new business in the U.S., we form a new corporation for both business and legal reasons. Recently, however, I had an interesting experience helping a foreign client set up a branch office without forming a new legal entity.
The client acknowledged the benefits of a new corporation. However, procedural issues for the client (located in Southeast Asia), would result in the necessary approvals taking too long. As a result, the client asked that I first provide help setting up a branch office in Silicon Valley. That branch office later would be used by a new California corporation that we would form.
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Angel Investment: California Leads in Deals and Dollars
On March 8, The Angel Resource Institute, Silicon Valley Bank and CB Insights released the first Halo Report, which analyzes early-stage investments by angel investment groups. Of particular note: In 2011, California accounted for 21% of the deals and 29.8% of the funds invested.
Other noteworthy findings: (more…)
Holland in the Valley: Incorporation for International Companies
Several weeks ago, the Netherlands Consulate’s Holland in the Valley staff interviewed me about incorporation for international companies.? Excerpts from our conversation recently were posted at the Holland in the Valley website.
Among the topics we discussed were:
WSJ: Lots of Money for Social Startups
In an article published yesterday (“Money Rushes Into Social Start-Ups”), the Wall Street Journal reported that VCs are investing in companies that are taking social networking from computers to mobile phones. The rationale, according to the article (emphasis added):
Behind the spurt of new services is also the idea that the phone, carried by people at all times, can reinvent the notion of a social network by sharing more real-time information about where people are, what they’re seeing and even who they’re around.
Other points made in the article: (more…)
Need an Angel Investor? Consider AngelList
AngelList Logo
There are plenty of companies seeking seed-stage financing, and plenty of seed-stage investors. How can they find one another effectively? AngelList is one answer.
Started in February 2010, AngelList is a straightforward application of social-media principles: (more…)
