You are the founder of an IT startup from Russia and are planning to enter the international market. The idea of registering a company in Europe or the UAE seems simple, but in practice it turns into a quest with compliance, banks and unfamiliar laws. We are looking into what is actually included in the turnkey service, why independent attempts often fail, and how the main paradox of the "first bank account" is solved.

At the start of any project, resources are limited. The founder's attempt to register a company abroad on his own almost always comes up against three systemic deficits:

1. Lack of knowledge. International corporate law, tax agreements, AML/KYC requirements are a separate profession. A mistake in choosing a jurisdiction or an incorrectly filled out document can cost months of time and lead to a refusal.
2. Staff shortage. The startup does not have an international lawyer or compliance officer on staff. This task falls on the shoulders of the founder, distracting him from the product, marketing and the team.
3. Lack of time. Every day spent on bureaucracy is a missed opportunity. While you are understanding the laws of Cyprus, competitors are already rolling out a new release.

It was these deficits that led to the introduction of integrated support services on the market.

This is the most common trap that founders fall into. To open a corporate account, a bank or payment system (EMI) asks for proof of business activity.:

• Current contracts with clients.
• Invoices for payment.
• Information about counterparties (where the money will come from and where it will go).

But how can a startup get all this if it doesn't have an account for signing contracts and accepting payments yet? This is the classic "chicken and egg" paradox. It is almost impossible to break through this wall on your own.

How is the problem solved? Professional providers know this bottleneck. Instead of existing contracts, they help to prepare and properly "package" for a financial institution.:

• A detailed business plan.
• Financial forecast for 1-2 years.
• Description of the target audience and potential customers.
• Profiles of key team members.

A well-written package of documents convinces compliance of the viability and legitimacy of the project, even if it does not yet have an operational history.

For an IT business with founders from the Russian Federation/the Republic of Belarus, in 99% of cases, you should not even try to apply to a traditional bank. It's long, expensive, and almost always ends in failure.

The modern and working choice is EMI (Electronic Money Institution).

• What is EMI? These are fintech companies licensed to make payments. In fact, it is a bank, but without two functions: they do not issue loans and do not accept deposits at an interest rate.
• What are their advantages?Remote opening. The whole process takes place online.Speed. Opening an account takes weeks, not months.Flexibility. They have a better understanding of digital business models (B2B, B2C, C2B) and international transactions.Loyalty to crypto operations. Many EMIS are much more relaxed about transactions related to cryptocurrencies than classical banks.

Comprehensive support is not just "help with paperwork." This is a structured process that closes all bottlenecks.

1. Strategic consultation. It all starts with analyzing your business. What is your model (B2B-SaaS, B2C-app, GameDev)? Who are your clients? Which markets are you targeting? Based on this, the optimal jurisdiction is selected (for example, the UAE, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Great Britain) and the company structure.
2. Company registration. The provider takes over the entire routine: prepares a package of constituent documents, submits them to the registration authorities, and, if necessary, provides a legal address and a nominal service.
3. Opening an account with EMI. This is a key stage. A complete AML package of documents is being prepared, the "first account paradox" is being solved, and communication is underway with the payment system's compliance department.
4. Accounting and tax support. After registration, the company does not remain abandoned. The provider takes care of accounting, tax calculations and annual reporting in accordance with local legislation.
5. Current support. Do you have any questions from the bank? Do I need to issue corporate cards for the team? The provider acts as your single window to resolve all administrative and financial issues.

In today's reality, trying to build an international business structure on your own is a game with very low chances of success.

A turnkey service is not a sign of laziness, but a strategic decision that allows the founder to do what he should do — create a product, grow a team, and conquer the market. Choosing a reliable partner for international structuring is becoming as important a business decision as choosing a technology stack. This is a direct investment in the speed, security, and success of the entire project.