Identification and Payout Account for Your Crowdfunding Project

Why do I have to show identification?

You must complete the verification process before the funding phase begins so that your project can get started. This involves verifying the identity and payment information of the person or organization that will later receive the funding.

This verification is required by law and regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering regulations. It also protects supporters and ensures that the funding amount is paid out to the correct person or organization.

Startnext works with the payment service provider Stripe for verification. You can start the process in the project interface → Contract → Verification.

Who needs to verify their identity for my project?

The person or organization receiving the funding—that is, the one in whose name the payout account is registered—must be verified.

The account holder and the verified entity must match. For example, if you are verifying a GbR, the payout account must be in the GbR's name. In this case, a payout to a personal account is not possible.

Make sure that the name and spelling match on the account, in the identification information, and in the official documents.

You do not have to be the authorized person yourself to own a project or manage it as part of the project team. However, the authorized person must have access to all necessary information and documents.

Can I start as an individual, or do I need to register a business?

In principle, you can launch a crowdfunding campaign as a private individual. Whether you need to register a business depends on your project and its legal and tax classification—not solely on the fact that you’re using crowdfunding.

Registering a business may be relevant, for example, if you:

• you trade regularly and with the intent to make a profit,
• offer products or services,
• You sell "thank-yous" in exchange for something,
• you are starting a business with this project.

For Startnext, it is crucial that the chosen legal form matches the individual or organization that is authorized and holds the payout account.

Startnext cannot provide personalized legal or tax advice. If you are unsure, please consult the Department of Business Licensing or a tax advisor to clarify your situation.

What legal structure should I choose?

Select the legal status of the individual or organization that will be authorized to receive the funding. In the project interface, you’ll first choose between “Individual” and “Organization.” In the Stripe dialog, you’ll then select the appropriate category.

Typical classifications include:

• Private individual, sole proprietor, registered business owner, freelancer, or small business → Private individual/sole proprietorship
• GmbH, UG, or AG → Corporation
• GbR, eGbR, GesbR, OG, OHG, KG, GmbH & Co. KG, or PartG → partnership
• e. V., eG, or foundation → association/cooperative
• Church, school, college, or unincorporated association → the appropriate category for unincorporated organizations in the Stripe dialog

The legal form cannot be corrected on your own at a later date. Therefore, do not enter a provisional or incorrect legal form. If you need to make a correction, submit your request for changes via the Startnext contact form. The support team will check whether the correction is possible and what further steps are required.

For an organization that is not registered, Stripe may require an official document that clearly shows the organization's name and address. You can find the current list of documents in Stripe's overview of accepted verification documents.

How does the verification process work with Stripe?

Stripe will guide you through the necessary steps. Depending on the individual, organization, and country, these may include:

1. 1Select the requested identification document and upload it or take a photo of it in the Stripe dialog.
2. 2Enter the required personal or organizational information.
3. 3If you're registering as an organization, specify the roles and individuals involved. For example, Stripe may ask for information about management, the board of directors, authorized representatives, or individuals with at least a 25 percent stake.
4. 4If necessary, provide information on any additional beneficial owners.
5. 5Upload proof of address, registration, or organization if Stripe requests it.
6. 6Set up your payout account.
7. 7Review the summary and correct any inaccurate information.
8. 8Confirm the process by clicking "Done." You will then be redirected back to Startnext.

You can view the current status in the project interface → Contract → Verification. If "You are verified" is displayed there, the verification required to start the project is complete. Stripe may still request additional information later.

An automated review can be completed in just a few minutes. If documents need to be submitted later or reviewed manually, it may take up to 24 hours or, in some cases, longer.

What documents do I need to verify my identity?

Upload only the documents that Stripe specifically requests during the verification process. The types of documentation accepted depend on the country, legal structure, and purpose of the verification.

If you're signing up as an individual, Stripe will typically verify your identity and, if necessary, your address. Typical documents include:

• Passport,
• Identification card showing the front and back,
• Driver's license (front and back), if it is accepted for testing purposes and in that country,
• if necessary, proof of address, such as a certificate of residence, a bank statement, a tax assessment notice, an official document, or a utility bill.

If you're signing up as an organization, Stripe may also verify the following:

• Existence, name, and address of the organization,
• Identity of the authorized representatives,
• Authorizations to Act on Behalf of the Company and Ownership Interests,
• Registration or tax information.

Typical proof of organization includes an extract from the commercial register, a letter from the tax office, a notice of exemption, or another official document.

You can find the current list—which can be filtered by country and purpose—in Stripe's overview of accepted verification documents.

How does ID verification work with Stripe?

Stripe verifies your identity online. To do this, take a photo of your government-issued photo ID and—if the process requires it—take a photo of your face.

The audit may include the following steps:

1. 1Stripe captures the required pages of the identification document and verifies its authenticity.
2. 2Stripe compares the face photo with the photo on the ID document.
3. 3Stripe verifies information such as name, date of birth, and document number as part of the verification process.

Before performing a biometric verification, Stripe asks for your consent.

You'll need a valid, unexpired photo ID and a device with a camera. A smartphone often takes better photos than a webcam.

How do I prepare documents correctly?

Make sure the information in the document matches your Stripe entries exactly.

• Take a clear, well-lit photo of the entire original document.
• Use an actual photo of the original document—not a scan, a photocopy, or a screenshot.
• When submitting identification documents, please submit all requested pages in full.
• Avoid flash reflections, shadows, blurriness, and photos that are too dark or too bright.
• When taking a photo of your face, make sure your face is clearly visible and remove any glasses, masks, or hats.
• Do not upload password-protected PDF files.
• Submit ID and verification information exclusively through the Stripe dialog linked from your Startnext project—not via email.

What types of documentation are appropriate for a club?

To verify your organization, Stripe requires an official document that clearly shows the organization's name and address. Ideally, the document should also include the tax ID number or organization registration number.

Depending on the club and status, the following are particularly suitable:

• a letter from the tax office stating the association's name and tax ID number,
• a notice of tax exemption for nonprofit status,
• A current extract from the registry of associations showing the association's registration number. You can obtain an extract from the registry, for example, through the joint registry portal of the federal states.

If your organization is not registered or does not yet have an organization registration number, Stripe may alternatively accept a government-issued document that clearly shows the organization’s name and address. This could include, for example, a letter from the tax office.

Depending on the country and the specific case, the following documents may also be accepted:

• Articles of Incorporation for a nonprofit organization,
• Registration document for a partnership, for example, GewA 1,
• an official document regarding a tax exemption,
• Bank statement,
• Utility bill or service provider bill.

Make sure the information in the document matches exactly the details on file with Stripe:

• Name of the club, including its spelling,
• Address of the association,
• Association registration number or tax ID number, if available.

If Stripe asks for a commercial registry number, this may refer to the association registry number for a registered association. Enter only a number that has actually been assigned. Do not use placeholders or made-up registry numbers.

The types of documentation Stripe actually accepts depend on the country, type of organization, and purpose of the verification. You can find the current overview in Stripe's list of accepted verification documents.

What types of documentation are appropriate for a GbR?

For a GbR, Stripe generally requires an official document that clearly states the GbR's name and address.

Often, a letter from the tax office containing the following information is sufficient:

• Name of the GbR,
• Address of the GbR,
• the tax ID number, if one has already been assigned.

Make sure that the name and address in the document match the information on file with Stripe exactly. The payout account must be in the name of the GbR—including the correct spelling.

If Stripe requests additional documentation, upload only the documents specifically requested during the verification process. You can find the current list in Stripe's list of accepted verification documents.

What registration number do I need to enter in Stripe?

When Stripe asks for a commercial registry number, it refers to the actual registration number assigned, depending on the legal form:

• GmbH, UG, or AG → usually HRB,
• registered association → VR,
• registered cooperative → GnR.

You can find registry information here, for example:

• Germany: Commercial Register
• Austria: Commercial Register
• Switzerland: Zefix

Enter only a number that has actually been assigned. Do not use placeholders such as 000000000 or made-up registration numbers.

If your organization is not registered or the registration process is still in progress, select the organizational structure that actually applies and provide an alternative form of proof accepted by Stripe. Stripe may request the registration certificate no later than the time of a collection or payout. If the registration cannot be completed in time, contact Support. Operating as a private individual is only an option if it corresponds to your actual legal and tax structure.

How can I start a project if I'm a minor?

If you are a minor, you generally cannot complete the formal steps on your own. You will need an adult or an organization to formally launch the project with you.

In particular, this person or organization will be responsible for:

• verification with Stripe,
• providing the appropriate payout account,
• tax allocation and settlement,
• the contractual obligations associated with crowdfunding.

This could be, for example, a parent, an adult member of the project team, or an organization. You can still play a key role in shaping the project’s content, communication, and implementation.

What should I do if I don't have a tax ID number?

First, check which tax identifier applies to you, your organization, and your country. These terms are not synonymous:

• In Germany, the tax office assigns tax identification numbers for tax-related purposes.
• A personal tax identification number is assigned to a natural person.
• The sales tax identification number is used primarily for sales tax identification purposes and is often referred to internationally as a VAT ID.

Depending on the situation, organizations may use a value-added tax identification number. In Germany, it typically begins with DE, and in Austria with ATU.

There is no uniform system in Europe. Depending on the country, different numbers may apply for income tax, corporate income tax, and value-added tax. Some identification numbers are assigned only to businesses or organizations, while others are assigned to individuals.

If you really don't have a valid number—which can happen, for example, with some Austrian clubs or municipalities—please contact Startnext Support. The specific case will need to be reviewed. Do not enter a made-up number.

By when do I need to provide a tax ID or VAT number?

If a tax ID or VAT number is required for your project, please provide it by the end of the funding phase at the latest. The funding amount cannot be disbursed without the required tax information.

Startnext is required to collect certain tax-related information, in part due to the Platform Tax Transparency Act. If you're still waiting for a tax ID number for your new startup, please take care of this as soon as possible or contact support.

Why has Stripe been requesting additional data since 2026?

Stripe is implementing new and stricter requirements under German and European anti-money laundering laws. These include, among other things, the Anti-Money Laundering Reporting Obligation Regulation, which has been in effect since March 1, 2026.

For organizations, this means that ownership structures, authorized representatives, and beneficial owners, as well as registry information, are recorded and verified more thoroughly. The fact that Stripe has announced new requirements does not automatically mean that you can take immediate action. What matters is what is actually displayed in the project interface and in the linked Stripe dialog.

Stripe is requesting additional information—what should I do?

First, check the status displayed under Project Interface → Contract → Verification. Startnext distinguishes between current requirements, future requirements, and data that Stripe already verifies.

Blue Status: Stripe is reviewing the submitted data

You have already submitted the requested information, and Stripe is reviewing it. You do not need to upload anything again while the review is in progress.

• If your project has already been approved, it remains approved. Stripe only reviews the additional information you submit.
• If your project has not yet been approved, you'll have to wait for the results. Successful approval is a prerequisite for starting the project.

The test may take up to 24 hours, or longer in some cases.

Yellow Status: Stripe will need the data later

You are authorized and can start your project. The deadline set by Stripe is based on the current project end date and the expected payout date. Therefore, the request is not currently blocking either the collection or the payout.

Startnext displays the following dates—if available—for you:

• Stripe's deadline,
• the current project end date,
• the expected payment date.

You can submit the missing information later. By clicking "Continue to Stripe," you can already check which details Stripe will require in the future. Required fields may be located in the Stripe dialog under "Edit."

Red Status: You Must Act Now

Stripe currently needs additional information. Click "Continue to Stripe" and enter the requested information.

• If your project has not yet been approved, the missing data could prevent the project from getting started.
• If your project has already been approved, deposits or payouts may be delayed as long as the request remains open.

Startnext displays the relevant Stripe deadline and—if available—the project end date and estimated payout date. Submit the data before the displayed deadline, if possible.

What additional information might Stripe request?

In the case of organizations, Stripe may specifically request additional information regarding the following:

• Ownership Structure,
• Management or Board of Directors,
• persons authorized to act on behalf of the company,
• beneficial owners,
• Relationships between the individuals listed and the organization,
• Commercial, association, or transparency registry.

Enter all information exclusively in the official Stripe dialog—not via email or third-party websites. If a red or yellow notification appears but there is no corresponding input field in the Stripe dialog, contact Startnext Support.

Can Stripe reject my project or require additional verification?

Yes. Stripe may require additional information or documentation if a business model, industry, country, or individual involved is subject to special review. Certain business activities and uses are restricted or prohibited.

The list is subject to change and is extensive. For this reason, it is not reproduced in its entirety in this article. Please check Stripe’s current list of restricted and prohibited businesses. Stripe may deny authorization, grant authorization only under additional conditions, or later modify an authorization that has already been granted.

Startnext projects are also subject to the Startnext guidelines. If you're unsure whether your project is affected, please check with Support before you begin.

Can I change the legal form or payout account later?

Only to a limited extent. The legal form and the authorized person or organization cannot be changed on your own. If your legal form has changed or was selected incorrectly, submit your request for a change via the Startnext contact form. The support team will check whether a correction is possible.

Once the funding phase has begun, generally only the IBAN of an account held by the same authorized account holder may be changed. The account holder and the authorized entity cannot be replaced by another person or organization.

To have your payout account reviewed, please contact [email protected].

What happens to my identification information?

The identification data entered in the project interface is transmitted to Stripe for identity, organizational, and payment verification. The data is transmitted in encrypted form.

Stripe stores and processes verification data as part of the official verification process. Share sensitive documents and ID information exclusively through the Stripe dialog linked from your Startnext project.

For the latest information on the access, processing, and storage of personal data, please see Startnext's Privacy Policy and Stripe's Privacy Policy.