The Thirteen Colonies contributed to the foundation of the United States in a plethora of ways, including:
The resistance to British rule ignited the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 consolidated sovereignty for the former colonists.
The colonies were heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideas. Because of this, democracy and self-governance was easily fostered in the up-and-coming America. These concepts also developed what would later become a stronger US government.
When the United States was in its early stages, colonists brought diverse economies for the nation's prosperity, including agriculture, industry (mainly through manufacturing), and trade (both internationally and in intraregional ways).
Ultimately, the 13 Colonies laid the necessary requirements and groundwork for the United States of America through the induction of political, cultural, social, and economic developments that characterized the country.