[isalmon]

You can't own an S corp unless you're a US resident (citizen or GC holder).

[marquis]

You can also be the sole member of an LLC, which is sufficient for having a U.S. bank account and doing business, if you're not looking for VC funds. Real estate agents deal with these kinds of LLC setups anytime for foreign real estate purchases.

[hnwh]

But you can own a C-Corp, which is what a venture-funded startup needs to be

[isalmon]

Agreed, but not every single new business is focused on raising VC capital

[sharth]

Why does the company even need to be registered in the USA?

[elias]

Actually, the requirement is that you area tax resident. Similar but very different.