Specialty Entities
Mission-driven · DGCL Section 365

Form a Delaware Public Benefit Corp. Mission-driven C-Corp.

A Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) is a Delaware C-Corp that explicitly balances shareholder profit with stakeholder welfare and a stated public benefit. Used by mission-driven companies (Patagonia, Allbirds, Kickstarter, Etsy). Same C-Corp tax structure as a regular corp, but directors have statutory authority (and obligation) to consider stakeholders beyond just shareholders. Useful for VC-backed companies that want mission protection alongside fundraising flexibility.

All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle Delaware PBC, end-to-end.

A Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) is a Delaware C-Corp that explicitly balances shareholder profit with stakeholder welfare and a stated public benefit.

1

Specific public benefit

PBC Articles must specify the public benefit the corporation will pursue (e.g., 'environmental sustainability', 'access to healthcare', 'public education'). We work with you to draft a specific, measurable benefit.

2

Articles of Incorporation

File Articles of Incorporation under DGCL Section 365 with the specified public benefit. Delaware processes within 24 hours. Articles must also include standard C-Corp provisions.

3

Bylaws + stockholder agreements

Bylaws and stockholder agreements customized for PBC: director duties include balancing shareholder and public benefit interests, annual public benefit reporting requirements.

4

Year 1 reporting + ongoing

PBC must report to shareholders biennially on its pursuit of the public benefit. Format flexible but content required. Some PBCs use B Corp certification (separate, third-party verification) as the reporting framework.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent delaware pbc pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

PBC + governance package

$999
PBC + investor-ready governance.

Standard PBC plus VC-ready governance: founder vesting (RSPA + 83(b)), stock plan, equity tracking. Designed for PBC startups planning to raise institutional capital.

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PBC + B Corp coordination

$1499
PBC + B Corp certification.

PBC formation plus coordination with B Lab for B Corp certification. We help complete the B Impact Assessment and coordinate the certification process (separate from PBC formation).

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FAQ

About the Delaware Public Benefit Corporation Service.

What is a PBC?
Public Benefit Corporation under DGCL Section 365. A C-Corp that explicitly balances shareholder profit with stakeholder welfare and a stated public benefit. Same tax structure as regular C-Corp; expanded director duties; biennial public benefit reporting.
PBC vs. B Corp?
PBC: legal corporate status under state law (Delaware, others). Created by filing Articles. B Corp: third-party certification by B Lab. Separate from PBC status. Many companies are both (PBC for legal structure, B Corp for certification). Possible to be either alone.
Can VCs invest in a PBC?
Yes. PBC is a C-Corp for fundraising purposes. Series A, B, C, and beyond work identically to regular C-Corps. NVCA documents work for PBCs with minor modifications. Many high-profile PBCs are venture-backed (Allbirds, Warby Parker, Kickstarter).
What is the public benefit reporting?
PBC must report to shareholders at least biennially on the pursuit of the public benefit. No required format. Many PBCs publish a sustainability report or use B Corp's annual reporting framework.
Can I convert a regular C-Corp to PBC?
Yes. Requires shareholder vote (2/3 supermajority typical) to amend Articles to PBC status. We handle the conversion. Common for established companies that want to formalize mission focus.
What about states beyond Delaware?
Most states now have benefit corporation statutes. Delaware PBC is the most-developed and most-recognized. Other strong jurisdictions: California, New York, Colorado, Oregon. Most clients form in Delaware regardless of where they operate.

At a glance

What is it
Delaware public benefit corporation is a regulated business process governed by federal or state agencies. File.Business handles the paperwork, filings, and tracking for you.
Why it matters
Doing this correctly the first time avoids penalties, late fees, and personal liability exposure for owners.
Who needs it
Any US business that has triggered the relevant requirement - usually based on entity type, state, or business activity.
When it is due
Deadlines vary by agency and state. We track your specific dates and remind you ahead of any filing window.
How it works
Tell us what you need, review the prepared filing, and we submit through the agency's official channel.
What it costs
Pricing is shown on this page with state and federal fees disclosed separately from our service fee.
Risks of skipping
Penalties, administrative dissolution, loss of liability shield, blocked transactions, or audit triggers depending on the filing.
Alternatives
File directly with the agency yourself, hire a law firm, or use a competing service. File.Business is the fastest premium option.
Why File.Business

Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.

Trust you can verify

SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.

A compliance partner, not a transaction

Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.

Premium experience competitors cannot match

LegalZoom $249+, ZenBusiness $199+, Northwest $39 with hidden upsells. File.Business: $99 LLC, $99/yr RA, $19/mo Compliance Monitoring, $599 Business Complete Bundle. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.

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