International Expansion Playbook™
International expansion creates legal complexity across every dimension: entity structure, employment law, tax obligations, regulatory compliance and IP protection. Companies that design the cross-border structure correctly from the start avoid the painful and expensive restructurings that come from getting it wrong.
What's inside
- Market entry mode comparison — subsidiary vs. branch vs. distributor vs. EOR: when to use each and the legal implications
- US holding + LATAM subsidiary structure — the most common structure for VC-backed companies, step-by-step setup
- Intercompany agreement framework — services agreements, IP licenses, management fees: what you need and how to price them
- Transfer pricing essentials — arm's length standard, documentation requirements, common mistakes that trigger audits
- Cross-border employment framework — contractor vs. employee by jurisdiction, permanent establishment risk, equity for international employees
- IP protection across borders — trademark strategy by region, Madrid Protocol, maintaining trade secrets in multiple jurisdictions
- Regulatory mapping by market — key permits, licenses and compliance obligations for US, Argentina, EU and Brazil entry
- Expansion sequencing — what to do in what order to minimize restructuring costs as you grow
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Frequently asked questions
What are the legal options for expanding internationally?
Main options: subsidiary (new legal entity, liability separation), branch (direct parent extension, simpler but no liability separation), distributor/agent arrangement (use a local partner), or Employer of Record (hire employees without a local entity). The right choice depends on headcount, revenue, risk tolerance and local regulatory requirements.
What is transfer pricing and why does it matter?
Transfer pricing governs prices charged between related entities for goods, services and IP licenses. Tax authorities require arm's length pricing — as if between independent parties. Without documentation, companies face reassessments across multiple jurisdictions. For startups with intercompany IP licenses (US holding + LATAM subsidiary), transfer pricing documentation is required from the first intercompany transaction.
How should a LATAM startup structure a US holding company?
The standard structure: Delaware C-Corp as holding company with a wholly-owned subsidiary in the local market for operations. The holding company holds the IP and receives license fees. Key setup requirements: intercompany agreement, transfer pricing documentation, repatriation planning, and subsidiary governance. This must be set up correctly from the start — restructuring later has real costs.
Tell us your expansion plan — we'll design the legal structure for your international operations.