A step-by-step guide to launching your U.S. presence without flying to the United States.

The Rules Quietly Changed — And Nobody Told You

For years, global founders believed there were only two ways to break into the U.S. startup ecosystem:

1. Fly to the U.S.
2. Deal with visas, lawyers, banks, and on-ground logistics
3. Spend $10K–$20K before Day 1
4. Hope everything works out

That era is over.

In 2025, the combination of remote-first company formation, digital EIN processing, fintech-based banking, and strict-but-clear compliance rules created an entirely new reality:

You can start a U.S. company, get a compliant San Francisco business address, and apply for a U.S. bank account — all from your home country.

No flights.
No visa risk.
No wasted months.

But there’s still one big catch (we’ll get to that).

Why Global Founders Want a U.S. Company

A U.S. entity — especially a Delaware C-Corp — unlocks:

• Investor trust
• Global customer access
• Better payment options
• Stronger legal clarity
• International credibility
• Higher valuation benchmarks
• Access to U.S. accelerators

It’s not about paperwork — it’s about perception and access.

A founder in Bangalore, Lagos, São Paulo, or Dubai with a U.S. company is suddenly legible to the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

And with a San Francisco business address, that legitimacy becomes instant.

Why a San Francisco Address Matters More Than Founders Realize

Location influences investor psychology.

Seeing “San Francisco, CA” on your:

• Pitch deck
• Email signature
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Company profile

creates immediate assumptions about you:

• You’re serious.
• You’re plugged into the ecosystem.
• You’re closer to capital.
• You’re moving at Silicon Valley speed.

A verified SF business address increases reply rates, deepens investor conversations, and improves credibility — even before your first call.

But here’s where founders hit the roadblock.

The #1 Hidden Obstacle: Banks Reject PO Boxes and Basic Virtual Mailboxes

In 2025, fintech banks like Mercury, Brex, Relay require:

✔ A verifiable physical U.S. business address

✘ Not a PO Box

✘ Not a mailbox center

✘ Not a cheap virtual address

This is where 90% of international founders get stuck.

They form the company.
They get the EIN.
They think they’re ready to bank.

Then onboarding stops because the address doesn’t meet compliance.

This is the real bottleneck in 2025.

And it’s exactly where CapHatch provides the unlock.

What Changed — and Why 2025 Is the Turning Point

Four major global shifts made remote U.S. company setup finally reliable:

1️⃣ Remote-first company formation became standard

Delaware now supports fully remote incorporation for non-U.S. residents.

2️⃣ EIN access for non-residents stabilized

Founders can obtain an EIN via IRS phone/fax — no SSN, ITIN, or physical presence required.

3️⃣ Fintech banking moved fully online

U.S. business bank accounts can now be applied for remotely, with digital KYC/KYB processes.

4️⃣ Compliance moved from physical presence → address verification

Banks no longer need you in person.
They just need a verifiable business address in the U.S.

This shift created a new opportunity window for founders worldwide.

The 2025 Step-by-Step Process (100% Remote)

Step 1 — Form a Delaware C-Corp or LLC (Remotely)

You can do this from anywhere in the world with:

• Passport
• Founder details
• Simple incorporation information

Step 2 — Obtain Your EIN (Remotely)

Non-U.S. founders can get an EIN without SSN/ITIN via:

• IRS international phone line
• Fax submission
• Third-party assistance

Step 3 — Activate a Compliant San Francisco Business Address

This is required for:

• Banking
• Contracts
• Compliance
• Trust
• Investor perception

Not all addresses work.
It must be a real, verifiable physical San Francisco business address.

Step 4 — Apply for a U.S. Business Bank Account Online

Once the entity, EIN, and address are in place, founders can apply remotely through platforms like Mercury, Brex, or Relay.

Step 5 — Launch Your U.S. Operations

You can begin:

• Selling to U.S. customers
• Receiving payments
• Contracting with U.S. companies
• Applying to accelerators
• Pitching VCs
• Building your San Francisco presence

all before your first visit to the U.S.

How CapHatch Makes This Actually Work

Global founders don’t struggle with incorporation.

They struggle with compliance + address verification + banking onboarding.
That’s where CapHatch is built to win.

CapHatch Launchpad (Basic + Pro)

✔ Remote US incorporation support
✔ EIN help (non-resident process)
✔ Verified physical San Francisco business address
✔ Bank account application guidance
✔ Compliance alignment (real requirement, not optional)
✔ Pitch + GTM acceleration
✔ Access to SF Bay Area founder & investor networks

You stay at home.
Your company becomes San Francisco-legible.

🌉 The Future Belongs to Global Founders With a U.S. Presence

You no longer need to relocate to enter the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
You just need to exist in it on paper, in compliance, and in perception.

With CapHatch, you can make that leap now, not “someday.”

Ready to Launch Into the U.S.?

Apply to activate your U.S. company and San Francisco presence today.