Curious how to register a company in Silicon Valley? The most important and most difficult component to getting your startup launched and registered is identifying an idea that will work. Silicon Valley has thousands of people with ideas they believe will make the world a better place. The vast majority of these ideas never come about, however, because of not offering a solution to an actual problem or because they have already been done.

How to Launch Your Very Own Silicon Valley Tech Startup

One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is creating something that is simply a gimmick, or trying deceivingly to charm uninformed consumers into buying into something with no long-term purpose or benefit.

Securing funding for your new business is a major hurdle you must overcome to launch your startup. While this used to mean pitching your idea to venture capitalists in the area and hoping they saw value in it, there are now many other options available to you. If the idea of all this is too overwhelming for you, consider reaching out to a co-founder or team of co-founders who have experience in this area in exchange for a portion of the overall ownership of the company.

While securing funding is important, most business owners agree that an even bigger challenge is location and keeping talented employees. While finding workers in first-tier markets is easier, individuals in second- and third-tier markets may be a little more difficult to procure. Consider thinking outside the box and recruiting employees who are looking for unique opportunities, such as being close to family and friends or working in a smaller city.

Lessons Learned in Co-Founding a Silicon Valley Startup

Being the founder or co-founded of a startup business in the Silicon Valley can be a daunting experience. Here is some insight from experienced entrepreneurs:

  1. Surround yourself with the right people. People want to work in a positive environment that is productive. They want to be able to trust and get along with their co-workers while being respected by the management.
  2. Create a culture of success. If you are the leader of the team, make sure you are demonstrating the behavior you want to see. If you are looking to join a company, look to see if the leader is someone you want to follow.
  3. Let your employees see the value of their work. People need to know their work matters and that their contributions are meaningful.
  4. Make sure your employees know that they matter. Let them know they are appreciated with simple gestures, such as addressing them by name, saying thank you, and passing along positive feedback on projects they were a part of.
  5. Interact with your customers. Talk with your customers, whether in person, through surveys, or other creative ways, to find out what they are thinking. Make them feel important and like they matter in the decisions you make.
  6. Take advantage of the knowledge of others. Work at a type of company you would like to own someday, learning from a CEO you respect and gaining valuable networking opportunities. Competitors or potential competitors also can provide a wealth of information. Look at what they are succeeding in, as well as areas they are struggling in.

How a Foreign Startup Should Prepare to Break Into Silicon Valley

First, list out any possible connections or leads you may have in Silicon Valley from home. Then, identify any trade or government associations you could connect with. Here are some questions to consider:

  • Do any universities or school have partners or affiliates in Silicon Valley?
  • Does your bank have any connections or a counterpart in Silicon Valley, or do any banks currently located there have an affiliate back home?
  • Can you check out local accelerators or incubators to see if they have any leads?

Plan a trip to Silicon Valley so you can experience it firsthand. Take time to see if there are any events happening during your time there and get registered or invited to as many as possible. These events will provide a wealth of networking opportunities to connect with the right individuals.

If you need help in determining how to register a company in Silicon Valley, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law, and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.