Start earning without a company
Accept payments, manage revenue, and grow your business — all under LetStart's legal entity. No registration, no legal fees, no delays.
What is the Umbrella Model?
A payments-as-a-service layer that lets you operate as a real business from day one.
Starting a company is expensive, time-consuming, and legally complex — especially across borders. The LetStart Umbrella model eliminates these barriers entirely.
When you launch a product on LetStart, you operate under our legal entity. We act as the registered merchant, accept payments on your behalf through our secure payment platform, and route the revenue (minus a transparent 10% platform fee) directly to your account.
Think of it as a parent company for your startup. You get all the benefits of a legitimate business — payment processing, legal compliance, tax documentation — without the overhead of incorporating.
When your startup grows and you're ready to form your own legal entity, you can transition seamlessly. The Umbrella model is designed as a launchpad, not a lock-in.
How Revenue Flows
A transparent, automated payment pipeline from your customer to your bank account.
Customer Pays
Your customer purchases through your product. The payment is processed securely using LetStart's merchant identity. We support credit cards, bank transfers, and local payment methods in 40+ countries.
Revenue Is Split
LetStart automatically deducts a 10% platform fee. The remaining 90% is routed to your LetStart Earnings account — a secure sub-account created during onboarding.
Balance Accumulates
Your earnings accumulate in your LetStart Earnings balance. You can track every transaction, view pending payouts, and monitor your total revenue in real-time from your dashboard.
You Withdraw
Once your balance reaches $200, you can withdraw via bank payout, Wise international transfer, Wise account, or keep funds as L-Wallet credits for platform services.
Transparent Fee Structure
No hidden costs. No surprise charges. Here's exactly what you pay.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 10% |
| Payment Processing | 0.25% – 1.5% |
| Currency Conversion | ~1% |
| Bank Payout | Free |
| Wise Transfer | 0.3% – 1.5% |
| L-Wallet Transfer | Free |
Umbrella vs. Traditional Company
See how the Umbrella model stacks up against forming your own legal entity.
| Aspect | Umbrella | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Start | Instant — start selling immediately | 2-8 weeks (varies by country) |
| Legal Costs | $0 | $500 – $5,000+ |
| Payment Processing | Built-in via LetStart Payments | Apply separately for payment processing |
| Tax Documentation | Provided by LetStart | Hire an accountant |
| Global Payments | 40+ countries from day one | Depends on jurisdiction |
| Monthly Overhead | 10% platform fee only | Accounting, legal, compliance fees |
| Transition to Own Entity | Seamless — migrate anytime | N/A (already own entity) |
| Risk | Zero upfront investment | Significant financial commitment |
L-Wallet — Your Internal Balance
Keep funds inside LetStart to reinvest in your growth.
L-Wallet is LetStart's internal credit system. When you withdraw to L-Wallet, funds are instantly available to purchase AI credits, upgrade your plan, or pay for premium services.
It's the fastest withdrawal method — instant, with zero fees. And since funds stay within the platform, no tax is withheld at source (though you're still responsible for reporting income in your jurisdiction).
Instant Transfer
No waiting — funds appear in your L-Wallet immediately.
Zero Fees
No processing fees or platform commissions on L-Wallet transfers.
Flexible Spending
Use L-Wallet credits for AI agents, plan upgrades, and premium features.
Full Audit Trail
Every transaction is logged with reference IDs and timestamps.
Four Ways to Withdraw
Choose the method that works best for your situation.
L-Wallet Credits
InstantTransfer earnings to your L-Wallet balance for use within LetStart. Best for reinvesting in your startup.
Advantages
- Instant transfer
- No fees
- No tax withheld
- Use for LetStart services
Considerations
- Funds stay within LetStart
- Cannot transfer externally
Bank Payout
2-5 business daysDirect bank transfer from your LetStart Earnings account. Supports auto currency conversion. Best for regular, reliable payouts.
Advantages
- Direct to bank
- 40+ countries
- Auto currency conversion
- Tax docs provided
Considerations
- 2-5 day processing
- Tax withholding may apply
- Conversion fees
Wise Bank Transfer
1-3 business daysInternational wire transfer via Wise with real mid-market exchange rates. Best for international founders.
Advantages
- Real exchange rate
- 70+ countries
- Lower fees than banks
- Transparent pricing
Considerations
- 1-3 day processing
- Bank details must be accurate
Wise Account Balance
1-2 business daysSend funds to your Wise multi-currency account. Hold money in 40+ currencies and spend via debit card.
Advantages
- 40+ currencies
- Convert when rates are best
- Wise debit card
- No tax withheld
Considerations
- Requires Wise account
- 1-2 day processing
Legal & Tax Information
Important information about operating under the Umbrella model.
Your Obligations
While LetStart handles payment processing and provides tax documentation, you are responsible for reporting your income to your local tax authority. We recommend consulting a tax professional familiar with your jurisdiction.
Tax Documentation
LetStart provides 1099 forms for US-based founders at year-end. For international founders, we provide detailed withdrawal statements that can be used for tax reporting.
Withholding Tax
Tax withholding varies by withdrawal method and country. Bank payouts may include automatic withholding (typically 15-30%). Wise transfers and L-Wallet transfers have no source withholding — self-reporting is required.
Transitioning Out
When you're ready to form your own legal entity, LetStart provides a seamless transition path. You can set up your own payment processing and migrate your customer relationships without any disruption.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Your intellectual property, brand, and customer relationships belong to you. LetStart only acts as the payment processor and legal wrapper. You can transition to your own entity at any time.
Your code is stored in your cloud repository, your domain is registered in your name, and your payment account is yours. We'd provide a 90-day transition period with full data export.
Umbrella is available in 40+ countries worldwide. Check our supported countries page for specifics.
Enterprise-tier founders can negotiate custom platform fees. Contact our sales team for volume-based pricing.
Tax treatment depends on your country of residence and the withdrawal method you choose. LetStart provides transaction statements, but we recommend consulting a local tax professional.
Ready to start earning?
Launch your product today under the LetStart Umbrella. No company needed, no fees upfront.
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