As a general matter, no: a criminal record does not stop someone from incorporating or forming an LLC, or buying a corporation or LLC, or buying, owning, or operating a business. Most business licenses should not a problem either--and most business do not require a license, anyway.There are individual businesses that may be a problem--some of the highly regulated ones. For instances, it's likely that someone with a criminal record could not get a liquor license; he or she may be barred from many investment or financial businesses; he or she could not work in the gambling industry; certain crimes would stop him or her from having a gun shop. You have to look at the requirements for the specific industry in which you are interested.