Case: “What’s the exact setup we need to raise funding in the US?”
Here’s the specific structure that works for German founders raising US venture capital, based on real success cases:
The Required Setup
1. German Side
Set up lean and fast:
- Personal Holding UG (minimum capital)
- Qonto account for initial operations
2. US Corporation
Work with Orrick (specifically their German-US team) to:
- Set up Delaware corporation (10M shares)
- Create German subsidiary (100% owned by US entity)
3. Critical: Banking Structure
This exact sequence matters for US investors:
Deutsche Bank account first:
- One of few accepting foreign ownership
- Required for next steps
Once DB account is set up:
- Open Qonto business account
- Use DB proof of ownership
Smart move: Consider moving from DB later
- Keep only if needed
- Many founders find better alternatives once established
4. Tax Setup
Two key partners:
- US: taxstudio.com
- Germany: bmt.tax
Why This Exact Structure Works for US Fundraising
- Clean cap table through Delaware corp
- Banking setup that US VCs understand
- Tax structure ready for due diligence
- Professional firms that US investors trust
Remember
- This isn’t about the perfect structure – it’s about the structure that works for raising US funding
- Follow the exact banking sequence
- Use the recommended service providers – they know this path
Based on proven cases of German founders successfully raising US venture capital
Contact us if you have any questions or need further guidance:
