Getting started
What is Gust Launch?
Gust Launch is the Software as a Service (SaaS) platform for founders that facilitates the legal, financial, accounting and back-office operations necessary to incorporate and operate a new, high-growth venture.
Who should join Gust Launch?
Gust Launch is designed to support the operations of for-profit startups that intend to grow rapidly, raise money in the US, and eventually exit. All the documents and agreements Gust Launch creates are geared to the expectations of investors, rules set forth by the IRS, and Delaware corporate law.
How do I issue stock?
After incorporation and company formation, Gust Launch gives you the ability to issue Common Stock. With our guided workflows, we walk you through the process of granting stock. Answer a few questions about the number of shares you are granting and the vesting schedule and we’ll automatically generate the legal paperwork for you to sign electronically. Then we’ll send it to the stock grantee so that they can also review and sign. They’ll also receive an 83(b) election form so that they can take advantage of potentially favorable tax treatment if they so choose.
How does Gust Launch introduce me to a law firm?
Gust Launch, through our legal partners, has created an internal directory to enable customers to access our cultivated network of law partners. When a Gust Launch Accelerate customer lets us know that they would like to take advantage of the offering, the customer will receive a few randomly generated partner options, filtered based on objective factors like geography and industry. Further, Gust Launch does not charge our legal partners to be listed in the directory.
What is accounting and why does my startup need it?
Most small businesses need to understand their own financial position primarily in terms of how much they can spend (whether now or in the near future) and how much money they’ll generate as a result. High-growth startup founders tend to think about their finances in much the same way: cash-on-hand is much more significant to the day-to-day reality of an early-stage company than revenue yet to be collected. What isn’t obvious to most first-time startup founders is that once they secure professional investment, the founder will be just one of a number of stakeholders in their company’s finances—and all the rest will expect the company’s financials to conform to professional accounting standards.
What are stock options? Why should a startup adopt an option plan?
Stock options represent the right to purchase common stock at a set price. That price, called the exercise price or strike price, typically corresponds to the value of the stock granted at the time of grant. Unlike common stock, options don’t require an up-front investment from the grantee. They traditionally accrue to the employee over a period of time (usually 48 months) through a vesting schedule, so the employee’s contributions match their equity reward. Once options have vested, the grantee can exercise those purchase rights to buy stock at the exercise price—which will be much lower than the price of shares at the time of exercise if the startup has been successful.
Explore topics
Gust Launch
Meet the world's first Company-as-a-Service platform.
Incorporation
Everything you need to know about creating a Delaware C-Corporation.
Company Formation
After incorporation, you'll adopt bylaws and elect a board.
Issuing Stock
Learn how to grant common stock to yourself and your co-founders.
Banking & EIN
Learn how to open a bank account and receive your Employer Identification Number.
Establishing Ownership
Why, when, and how to issue stock
Foreign Qualification
Prepare to register your new company with your home state.
Startup Accounting
Find out how investors and banks expect startup founders to record their finances.
Legal Documents & Services
Learn what legal documents Gust Launch generates and how our lawyers provide services.
Options & Option Plans
Learn how to set up and maintain your Equity Incentive Plan to grant your employees equity.
Fundraising
Learn how to raise money with SAFEs and Convertible Notes on Gust Launch.
Corporate Taxes
Learn what taxes you'll owe, how to calculate them, and how to pay.
Partners
Learn about the partner perks that comes with your Gust Launch subscription.
Compliance
Common questions on how to keep your corporation in compliance.