Through their start-up business, driven entrepreneurs hope to create useful, original solutions for their clients. The target market, the USP, and the competitive landscape must all be emphasized by the company. Entrepreneurs must also have, recruit, or outsource a person who is knowledgeable about the fundamental laws of the land, the rules and regulations that apply, and the many government programs designed for the benefit of startup companies and their efficient operation.Â
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Eligibility criteria for start-up recognition
- The startup must be registered as a private limited company, partnership, or limited liability partnership (LLP).
- Less than Rs. 100 crores in turnover must have been made in any of the prior fiscal years.
- A company will be regarded as a Start-up for ten years following the date of its establishment.
- The startup should be focusing on innovation and improving current goods, services, and procedures, and it should have the ability to create wealth and jobs.
- The Inter-Ministerial Board established for this purpose must certify it.
- An organization created through the division or reconstruction of an existing business is not a “Start-up.”
Starting a business is not a simple task. Both new and established businesses must adhere to certain legal requirements in order to operate without obstruction of any type. The founders should be knowledgeable of the regulations regulating their industry and business before drafting agreements. The following are some legal requirements and guidelines that one should be aware of when beginning a business:
Business type
Prior to starting a business, it is crucial to decide whether you want to operate as a partnership, LLP, private corporation, or sole owner. However, the Startup India initiative does not accept a sole proprietorship as a startup. One should be very careful when selecting a business kind because each one has advantages and disadvantages as well as a unique set of laws and rules. Although there are also guidelines for switching from one sort of business to another
Registration/incorporation of startup
The next, and perhaps most crucial, step is to register the startup after determining the type of business the founder wishes to move forward with. Due to the simplicity of the startup registration process, many prospective business owners want to make their startups a reality. There are two steps in this process:
Including the start-up
It entails setting up the company as a partnership, limited liability partnership, or private corporation. All designated partners/directors of an LLP or private company must obtain a Director Identification Number (DIN) and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) before the entity is incorporated with the registrar. In the case of a partnership, the entity must be registered with the state’s registrar of firms in the jurisdiction where the firm is located.
Registering with the start-up India initiative
After the business has been incorporated, this registration with the Startup India Initiative must be completed. The entire process is easy and digital. The startup will receive Department for Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade registration after uploading the necessary paperwork and meeting certain requirements (DPIIT). With this recognition, you will be able to take advantage of a variety of benefits, including tax exemption for three years in a row, access to high-quality intellectual property services and resources, relaxation of the rules governing public procurement, self-certification under labor and environmental laws, a simple winding-up procedure, etc.
Founder’s agreement
It is advisable to draught a founder’s agreement if there are several partners. Although having a founder’s agreement is not required, it will be useful in the long term. A founder’s agreement is a document that outlines all the pertinent information about the founders and the business, including the founders’ respective roles and responsibilities, operational details, executive salary, a clause for resolving disputes, and exit clauses, among other things. Founders’ agreements also aid in coping with unforeseen events like a co-death founder’s or departure, which have a direct impact on the continuous growth and efficient operation of the company.
Employees contract
A contract with the employees must also be signed to ensure their roles and obligations as well as the legal jurisdiction over the work they perform for the startup. An employment contract should contain:
- employment duration
- intellectual property protection
- potential probationary period
- non-solicitation and no-poaching clause
- Termination conditions (standard and immediate termination)
- Service Agreement or Service Clause
Non-disclosure agreement
A non-disclosure agreement is essential for a young business that is just starting to carve out a place for itself in the market by offering distinctive goods, services, or both. A non-disclosure agreement is a written agreement signed by two parties that forbids the revealing of any private information exchanged between the parties. It makes sure that both the company’s and the other party’s privacy is respected. Ideas and business information offered in good faith frequently end up being misappropriated. Therefore, entrepreneurs must employ the negotiated NDA when disclosing crucial company information with anyone outside the organization in order to avoid such situations.Â
Protecting intellectual property
In today’s economy, especially for tech-focused enterprises, intellectual property is the secret sauce. Some of the most typical intellectual property that organizations own include codes, algorithms, and research discoveries. Copyright, patent, and trademark laws are all covered, which are essential for any firm. IP rights are significant because they can: differentiate a firm from its rivals; be sold or licensed; and provide an essential revenue stream that is essential for startups; provide customers with something novel and distinctive as a crucial component of marketing or branding or as collateral for loans.Â
Under the Startup India initiative, startups may employ the “Scheme for Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP)“. This plan aims to make it less expensive and quicker for startups to obtain patents, making it financially feasible for them to do so and encouraging them to create more.
Taxation
Taxes are a necessary component of every business. There are several different taxes that may be applicable for specific enterprises, including federal taxes, state taxes, and even local taxes. The GST is included in this regime. Knowing this in advance can be helpful because different business and operating sectors attract varying taxes.
In order to encourage the startup culture in the nation, the Startup India initiative offers a number of tax perks to entrepreneurs. These advantages include a three-year income tax exemption, as well as exemptions from capital gains taxes and investments with capital gains above fair market value. Knowing the tax regulations inside and out will help the startup save a ton of money.
Website terms and conditions/privacy policy
If a startup has a website, it is required to have specific and binding terms and conditions/privacy policy on the site. A website’s privacy policy is a legally binding document that outlines the company’s opinions and practices around visitor data collection, whereas the terms and conditions make it clear what should happen in any specific circumstance. Terms and conditions create a legally-binding agreement between the business and its customers.Â
Using a careful wind-up procedure
A startup must also have a clear and responsible winding up process. Although deciding to wind up is extremely tough, there are many compliances that must be met. When a business decides to close, all parties involved- including customers, investors, and employees- must be told in advance, and the entire process must be carefully planned and carried out to make the exit simple for everyone.
