I'm no expert, but I'll chime in with my thoughts. I'd look into doing something like the following, which is largely what you've already thought of: - umbrel

I'm no expert, but I'll chime in with my thoughts. I'd look into doing something like the following, which is largely what you've already thought of: - umbrella corp -- project corp #1 -- project corp #2 I'd be working on new ideas (incubating, so to speak) within "umbrella corp" itself, and then spin off a "project corp #" when you're ready to start looking for/making money. I think there are some disadvantages to this, depending on how your local state/provincial and federal grant systems work. For example, here in Canada, we have SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) which helps companies that do R&D by offsetting expenses. I believe that any R&D you did in "umbrella corp" applies only to expenses made within that same company - NOT after you had spun the idea off into a "project corp #". Regardless of what country you live in, if you're looking to protect your other ideas/IP, you are certainly well advised to isolate the investment-worthy idea in its own corporation, and likely with ownership of the "project corp #" held by "umbrella corp"... ... unless you're looking to give out dividends to yourself from "project corp #" in the future. If you yourself don't own shares, I don't think you could get dividends - only a salary. Ok, obviously I'm digressing. Final advice - don't listen to me. You'd do well to discuss these particular topics with both an accountant and lawyer. ;)