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Comment by davedx | Hacker News Reader

Conversely, not being based in the US comes with lots of disadvantages, such as terrible payment gateways, unfriendly tax and small business legislation, and smaller networks of entrepreneurs. Here in Ede, the Netherlands, I feel pretty isolated, and I imagine a lot of people in Europe also do unless they live somewhere like London or Amsterdam.

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Not being based in the US comes with advantages as well.

For example, I don't have to worry about getting health insurance for me or any employees or contractors.

This makes a big difference to startup costs and getting people to work for you.

the other advantage is the lack of software and process patents in Europe meaning less of chance of being sued out of existence. I think this will become more obvious over the next 10 years.

I live in Peru but created my corporation in the US in Delaware just to get the gateways and other US services.

This sounds like a business opportunity all by itself: "virtual domicile hosting" for offshore companies to get access to US services providers.

Would you mind emailing me with a bit of info on how you go about doing that? I assume you're not a US citizen? I'd really appreciate some pointers. davedx@gmail.com :)

I would be interested as well - mattmccor@gmail.com

I've also done this, it's not too hard. There are plenty of online services that let you setup an LLC in Delaware, LLCs have good benefits for non-residents.

You can then setup a business bank account as a non-residents using your LLC EIN, but I had to visit the US in person to do this.

Aside from the trip, what were the costs of this? That's something I'm considering doing...

Sorry about the slow reply:

US LLC Incorporation and registered agent ~$300/y

Everything else is essentially free, I have a registered mailbox that redirects my mail and a US Skype Number attached to my iPhone. You'll need a US address to setup the bank account initially.

Nice .. Im going to chile in a couple of weeks and i was thinking about opening in deláware to .. Can you please add me to skype: j_camarena to chat a little?

I really think that we in the EU should start lobbying the EU Parliament and Commission to get a better environment for (especially web) startups. It will take time, but if we don't start doing that, it will take even longer...

I started a new poll on this: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3303323

You're not that isolated. My brother was born in Ede and I still have family there.

Here in France, the web is highly concentrated in Paris (I'd say 80% of all the activity), so it's not uncommon to have geographical disparities.

I'm only willing to work remotely at the moment and lately I've noticed more and more American companies only willing to deal with remote workers inside the US.

What stops you from moving to Amsterdam?

Family commitments.

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