What is Scalehub LaunchPad?

Scalehub LaunchPad is a fully coordinated US market entry service for European and Swiss robotics and drone companies. It covers eight operational layers: entity formation, registered address, US banking, EOR bridge hiring, champion hire advisory, PEO payroll and benefits, business insurance, and ongoing compliance. The service is delivered by Andy Lewis as service lead and is designed to have a member legally operational and commercially active within 30 days of signing.

What is an EOR and why does a European robotics company need one?

An EOR (Employer of Record) is a third-party company that legally employs someone on your behalf. A European robotics company can hire a Houston-based sales engineer or champion through an EOR before their US legal entity exists. Scalehub LaunchPad uses Foothold America as EOR partner, allowing members to start their first US hire immediately while entity formation runs in parallel.

Why does a drone company in the US need workers compensation insurance?

Texas does not mandate workers compensation insurance, unlike most EU jurisdictions. However, major oil and gas asset owners including Chevron and Shell require elected workers compensation coverage as a site access condition. Scalehub LaunchPad includes a standing recommendation to elect workers comp on every engagement, structured through Archer Commercial Insurance Group.

What is the Scalehub LaunchPad fee?

The LaunchPad one-time setup fee is in the range of $4,000 to $6,000 depending on scope. This covers entity formation coordination, EIN and BOI filing, banking setup, insurance placement, EOR and PEO introduction, champion hire advisory, and an annual compliance calendar managed by Andy Lewis.

What is a PEO and how does it work for a small European team in the US?

A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) enters into a co-employment arrangement with your company once your US legal entity is live. The PEO handles payroll, tax filings, benefits administration, and HR compliance. Scalehub LaunchPad uses G&A Partners, a Houston-based PEO with an energy sector client base, giving small teams access to Fortune 500-level health insurance and 401k rates they could not negotiate independently.

Which US entity structure should a European robotics company form?

Most European robotics and drone companies entering the US for the first time form a Texas or Delaware LLC. A C-Corp is more appropriate if the company plans to raise US venture capital. Scalehub LaunchPad provides an entity type recommendation based on the member company structure, investor composition, and commercial objectives before any formation filing is submitted.

Scalehub LaunchPad

Operational In 30 Days. Selling From Day One.

The complete market entry stack for robotics and drone companies.

Scalehub LaunchPad

End To End Infrastructure.
Single Point of Contact.

Scalehub LaunchPad is not a soft-landing programme, an accelerator, or a list of vendor referrals. It is a fully coordinated market entry service built for industrial robotics and drone companies entering oil and gas. Delivered by a service lead who already knows your sector, your entity profile, and your insurance requirements before the first call.

Legal & Entity

Your Foundation. Done In A Week.

LLC or C-Corp recommendation for your structure
Entity formation filing, EIN, and BOI FinCEN filing
Registered US address at Scalehub hub, Pasadena TX
State selection analysis (Texas vs Delaware)
Compliant from day one — no missed filing deadlines

Banking & People

Your First Employee Before Your Entity Exists.

Mercury bridge account — operational within days
Texas Capital Bank intro — energy sector relationship banking
Foothold America EOR: hire before your entity is ready
Champion hire advisory via Scalehub O&G network
G&A Partners PEO: Fortune 500 benefits for small teams

Insurance & Compliance

Industry Ready Coverage. Site Access From Day One.

Archer Commercial: GL, E&O, product liability, workers comp
Pre-structured quote for O&G equipment profiles
Workers comp election, required for petrochemical site access
Professional liability for robotics & drone operators
Annual compliance calendar: BOI updates, franchise taxes, filings

LaunchPad

The Layers Every European Company Faces

Six founders. Six different obstacles. One solution.

01 / ENTITY

"We've Spent Three Months on Entity Selection. We Still Haven't Filed."

LLC or C-Corp. Delaware or Texas. Registered agent or physical address. Every foreign founder hits this wall. LaunchPad resolves it in one call: the right entity structure for an industrial robotics company entering O&G, filed and active within seven days, with EIN and BOI FinCEN compliance handled.

02 / BANKING

"We Can't Open a US Bank Account Without Flying to Houston."

US banking is the single longest lead time in any market entry. Mercury removes the in-person requirement and opens a USD account within days. Texas Capital Bank follows with full relationship banking once the entity is live — an energy sector commercial bank with two decades of O&G vendor relationships and credit products that online platforms cannot offer.

03 / FIRST HIRE

"We Found the Right Person. But We Don't Legally Exist in the US Yet."

Foothold America acts as Employer of Record so your Houston champion starts immediately, before your entity is approved. LaunchPad adds the layer that no EOR platform can: a sourcing network built from years of centrality. The candidate is already industry-credible before the first interview.

04 / PAYROLL & HR

"We Need to Run US Payroll Compliantly. From Amsterdam."

G&A Partners is a Professional Employer Organization headquartered in Houston with an energy sector client base. Once your entity is live, your team transitions from Foothold EOR to G&A co-employment: automated payroll, US health insurance, 401(k), and HR compliance. Members access Fortune 500-level benefit rates that a two-person team cannot negotiate independently.

05 / INSURANCE

"Every Site Access Request Asks for Coverage We Don't Have."

Archer Commercial Insurance Group is a Houston independent agency specialising in energy and environmental risk. LaunchPad members receive a pre-structured quote package built for inspection robotics and drone companies operating in industrial environments. GL, professional liability, product liability, workers comp — all bound before your first customer meeting. Texas does not mandate workers comp. Chevron and Shell do.

06 / COMPLIANCE

"We Don't Know What Annual Filings We're Missing in the US."

US compliance does not end at entity formation. Annual reports, franchise taxes, BOI update filings, and state-specific renewal deadlines vary by entity and state. LaunchPad includes an annual compliance calendar managed by Andy Lewis. No missed deadlines. No penalties. One call resolves any question that would otherwise require a US attorney.

Scalehub LaunchPad