From UK to USA: finance & compliance essentials to get started
Speaker: Michael Budnow (Standard Ledger)
Expanding your startup into the US is a big opportunity, but things can easily go wrong if the foundations aren’t set up properly.
This practical webinar is designed for UK startup founders who are considering entering the US market and want to understand what actually needs to be done on the finance and compliance side – before spending money or locking in the wrong structure.
Led by Michael Budnow, UK Director and Co-Founder of Standard Ledger, this session cuts through the noise and focuses on the essentials founders need to get right early to avoid painful (and expensive) fixes later.
What we’ll cover:
Entity setup – When and why a Delaware C-Corp makes sense, QSBS eligibility, registered agents and basic US entity requirements
409A valuations – What a 409A is and when you need one, IRS-compliant valuations that stand up to investor diligence
R&D tax credits – How US R&D tax credits work (federal + state) and how to maximise claims without creating risk
Payroll & benefits – How to pay US employees correctly, W-2 vs 1099 contractors, multi-state payroll basics using platforms like Gusto or Rippling
Sales tax & nexus – What “nexus” actually means, common triggers in states like Texas and Florida, and how to avoid accidental non-compliance as you grow
Who should attend:
- UK startups planning to expand into the US
- Founders preparing for US hiring or revenue
- Companies raising (or planning to raise) from US investors
- Finance-light founding teams who want clear advice and not jargon
🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards.
