How to Form a Delaware C Corporation

Delaware has become the default home for startups because of its well-developed corporate law and investor familiarity. The formation steps are well-trodden, but the order matters.

You file a certificate of incorporation, appoint a registered agent, adopt bylaws, and issue shares. Each step has legal weight that affects your cap table later.

• File the certificate of incorporation with Delaware
• Appoint a Delaware registered agent
• Adopt bylaws and hold an organizational meeting
• Issue shares to founders and document the ownership

Do the share issuance and documentation properly at formation. A clean cap table from the start saves painful and expensive fixes during due diligence.