Knowledge base
When to escalate to a human
Compass is your AI advisor — but some decisions are non-reversible and demand a specialist. Here's how to know which is which, and how to pick the right one.
Startup attorney
Call one when: Forming a Delaware C-corp, signing a U.S. customer contract over $25K, raising priced equity, or any IP assignment from a non-U.S. entity.
Don't call one when: Don't pay $5K for incorporation if you're still pre-revenue and pre-investor — Stripe Atlas or Clerky is fine.
Immigration attorney
Call one when: Planning to spend more than 90 days/year in the U.S., interviewing for an O-1 / E-2 / L-1, or moving co-founders.
Don't call one when: Visa decisions are non-reversible. Don't take advice from another founder — their case isn't yours.
Cross-border CPA
Call one when: U.S. revenue, U.S. payroll, transfer pricing between your home entity and a U.S. sub, or treaty-based withholding.
Don't call one when: Generic CPAs miss India / China / Korea / EU treaty edge cases. Always pick someone who specializes in your corridor.
GTM advisor
Call one when: You've validated the segment but the GTM motion isn't converting. You need a senior operator who's done your motion in the U.S.
Don't call one when: Don't hire VP Sales as your first U.S. sales hire. Founder-led for the first 10 customers, every time.
Need a referral?
Compass maintains a vetted network of corridor-specialist experts (India, China, Korea, EU, LATAM → U.S.). Expert marketplace launches in v1.5.