one-time*
AWS Activate credits
Stripe credits
Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire
Commercial register entry groundwork
Business registration paperwork
Incorporation checklist
Preliminary HWK business description check
Preliminary IHK company name check
one-time*
AWS Activate credits
Stripe credits
Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire
Commercial register entry groundwork
Business registration paperwork
Incorporation checklist
Preliminary HWK business description check
Preliminary IHK company name check
one-time*
AWS Activate credits
Stripe credits
Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire
Commercial register entry groundwork
Business registration paperwork
Incorporation checklist
Preliminary HWK business description check
Preliminary IHK company name check
Net prices, for all credits, vouchers and other partner deals the respective terms and conditions of the providers apply
Customised articles of association drafted by a lawyer: Protect yourself and your co-shareholders.
| Startup UG | Startup GmbH | Startup Holding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What you get | ||||||
AWS Activate credits AWS Activate Credits are subject to the AWS Terms & Conditions | | | | |||
Stripe credits Stripe Credits are subject to the Stripe Terms & Conditions | €20,000 in credits | €20,000 in credits | €20,000 in credits | |||
| Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire | | | | |||
| Commercial register entry groundwork | | | | |||
| Business registration paperwork | | | | |||
| Incorporation checklist | | | | |||
| Preliminary HWK business description check | | | | |||
| Preliminary IHK company name check | | | | |||
| 349€ excluding tax | 389€ excluding tax | 738€ excluding tax | ||||
| Start now | Start now | Start now |
Note:
The notary's fees as well as the costs for the registration in the commercial register are not included in the price and are incurred additionally.
The firma.de Firmenbaukasten AG itself does not provide any legal advice. firma.de works exclusively with lawyers and independent tax advisers who are specialised in the field of entrepreneurial companies (limited liability corporations). Please arrange an appointment under: +49 611 17207-0 or by email at support@firma.de
AWS Activate
AWS Activate gives you free access to training, tools and experts to help you successfully build your business on AWS without neglecting issues such as performance optimization, risk management and full cost control.
More information
Stripe credits
From e-commerce to SaaS to marketplaces, Stripe takes care of all the technicalities so you can focus on growing your startup.
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Lexware Office bookkeeping
The online software makes bookkeeping easy! Whether you want to create offers, write invoices, manage clients or prepare your tax return, Lexware Office has got you covered.
More information"Entering the German market involves a lot of moving parts that can easily come apart without proper handling. Having a knowledgeable partner on the ground that you share a common language is essential for expanding into new terrain." Pleo
See all customer stories
Formation services are hands-down the most cost-effective, easiest and fastest way to incorporate a company. How? It boils down to three main things: automaticity, scale and a founder first ethos.
1) What we do is form companies all-day every day. It's only natural that we've optimised our processes to not only automatically avoid pitfalls but also cut costs.
2) Our expertise comes from helping (literally) thousands of companies in Germany get started. No other law firm, consultancy or software even comes close to the scale of legacy knowledge that we have.
3) We're on a mission to democratise entrepreneurship because of the incredible potential it holds. As a company by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, firma.de is not just a service provider but a partner of founders of all backgrounds in Germany.
Our packages bring together offers from our partners to give your startup everything it needs to be fully-operatinal.
1. Incorporate your company: Incorporate in the shortest time possible with firma.de. Our services let you skip over all the pesky bureaucracy to get to your limited liability company in Germany.
2. Build digital infrastructure: Anything digital that you can dream of can be built on AWS. We give you €10K in AWS Activate credits so you can set up the tech your startup needs immediately.
3. Set up a payment system: Stripe's online payment processing platform is the best solution to get paid. With Stripe you can set up a payment system that supports almost any business model and currency. Stripe sweetens the deal with €20,000 in credits. This can save you big time in transaction costs.
4. Sort out bookkeeping: Good bookkeeping hygiene saves you time, money and your sanity. 12 months free access to Lexware Office will help your startup develop good accounting habits.
5. Become contactable: Cloud telephony and a virtual mailbox are the frictionless way startups can stay connected with the outside world. Find out for yourself with special offers from Placetel.
6. Start doing business: Now that you're fully operational, time to start hustling. Keep in touch. We're here for you!
Should you incorporate your business as a GmbH or UG? There is no straightforward answer to this question, as both company types offer advantages and disadvantages to both founders and shareholders.
Essentially, forming a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) is ideal for anyone who can raise at least the minimum share capital and needs the legitimacy of operating as an internationally trusted corporate structure. The main advantage of a GmbH is the limited liability and the protection it offers its shareholders. Additionally, the tax benefits a GmbH enjoys can be significant.
On the downside, there are many obstacles to be overcome like the high formation costs and tax accountancy/advisory fees, as well as the many bureaucratic hoops that founders must jump through. For these reasons, founders, without deep pockets and little entrepreneurial experience, are advised against forming a GmbH.
The alternative is a Unternehmergesellschaft (UG) — a private entrepreneurial company that also offers limited liability without the high starting costs associated with a GmbH. Similar in form to a GmbH, the minimum share requirement drops from €25,000 to €1 (cash only - contributions in kind are forbidden). And, there's always the opportunity to convert into a GmbH later on if the necessary capital becomes available.
Company checklist
A roadmap for setting up a company
GmbH
We explain what a GmbH is and what it costs.
What is a UG?
Everything you need to know about the UG company form.
Founders!
