Apply for Alone as a Solo Founder
Applying for alone means registering a business, securing funding, and obtaining permits as a single founder without a co-founder or traditional partner. In the United States, the most common structure is a single-member LLC or sole proprietorship, filed with the state secretary of state. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 33.2 million small businesses operate as sole proprietorships as of the latest available data, and many use online portals to apply for alone directly through state websites. The process typically requires a valid ID, an EIN from the IRS, and a registered agent if the state mandates one.
Solo founders can apply for alone through platforms like Stripe Atlas, which has helped over 200,000 founders incorporate since its launch, or directly via state business portals such as the California Secretary of State's online filing system. Most states allow digital submission, with processing times ranging from a few days to several weeks depending on the entity type and jurisdiction. For international founders, applying for alone often starts with an E-2 Treaty Investor visa or an O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability, both of which do not require a co-applicant.
Visa and Immigration Paths to Apply for Alone
The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows nationals of treaty countries to apply for alone by investing a substantial amount in a U.S. business, with no minimum legal threshold but a practical requirement of at least $100,000 to demonstrate risk and commitment. The O-1 visa, commonly used by tech founders, requires evidence of extraordinary ability, such as patents, media coverage, or industry awards, and can be filed by a sole applicant without a sponsoring employer. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reports that O-1 petitions have grown steadily, with approval rates hovering around 75% in recent fiscal years, according to data on the USCIS website.
Other pathways include the B-1 Business Visitor visa for short-term activities and the L-1 intracompany transfer visa for founders moving from an existing foreign company. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program requires a minimum investment of $800,000 in a targeted employment area and allows applicants to apply for alone without a job offer or sponsor. Each visa type has distinct filing fees, processing timelines, and eligibility criteria, and applicants should consult the Department of State and USCIS guidance before applying.
Funding and Business Registration When You Apply for Alone
Solo founders can apply for alone for startup grants, microloans, and small business loans without a co-signer. The U.S. Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program backed over $25 billion in lending in fiscal year 2023, with many loans issued to single-owner businesses. Online lenders such as Kabbage and OnDeck offer term loans and lines of credit with streamlined applications, while the SBA's Lender Match tool connects solo applicants with participating lenders within days.
For equity funding, solo founders can apply for alone to angel investor networks and venture capital firms that accept single-founder applications. Y Combinator, which has funded over 4,000 startups, reports that approximately 10% of its batches include solo founders. Applying for alone also involves registering trademarks, obtaining business licenses, and setting up a business bank account. The USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System allows a single applicant to file a trademark application for a sole proprietorship or LLC, with filing fees starting at $250 per class of goods or services.