Business Formation

The lawful creation of the firm.

201Course
Sole Proprietorship
The simplest and most misunderstood form.
13 lessons·Foundation
The formThe mechanicsGraduation
202Course
General Partnerships
The form that binds strangers with unlimited liability.
13 lessons·Foundation
What it isThe agreementPractical reality
203Course
Limited Partnerships
The traditional form for pooled capital.
10 lessons·Foundation
The formModern usage
204Course
LLCs
The default American operating entity.
49 lessons·Foundation
The LLC, understoodChoosing a stateThe filingThe Operating AgreementOngoing complianceTaxationAsset protectionAdvanced structures
205Course
Corporations
The form of institutional capital.
45 lessons·Foundation
The corporation, understoodThe corporate formsFormation documentsEquityGovernanceMeetings and minutesThe corporate veilOngoing corporate life
206Course
Holding Companies
The parent structure.
12 lessons·Foundation
The ideaBuilding the structure
207Course
International Companies
Forming and operating across borders.
11 lessons·Foundation
Foreign entity choicesCross-border operating
208Course
Business Banking
The financial hygiene of the firm.
11 lessons·Foundation
Opening the accountUsing the account
209Course
Business Credit
The credit profile of the firm.
10 lessons·Foundation
Building a profileUsing credit responsibly
210Course
Business Insurance
The unglamorous discipline of risk transfer.
13 lessons·Foundation
The core policiesBuying well
211Course
Licenses
The permission slips the state requires.
9 lessons·Foundation
The landscapeObtaining and maintaining
212Course
Intellectual Property
The asset most firms build without noticing.
32 lessons·Foundation
TrademarkCopyrightPatentTrade secretsLicensing
213Course
Legal Documents
The paper the firm runs on.
28 lessons·Foundation
Contract fundamentalsNDAsMaster service agreements (MSAs)Statements of work (SOWs)Terms and privacyEmployment paper
214Course
Business Formation Capstone
Launch an actual company.
3 lessons·Foundation
The Capstone