Startup Consultation in Pune
From co-founder agreements and entity selection to DPIIT recognition, cap tables and investor-ready documentation — a practising CS guiding your startup from idea to investment-ready.
Talk to a startup CS today
Tell us your idea, stage and co-founder structure. We will map the right path forward.
Talk to a CS →Everything a startup needs — legally and structurally
Entity Selection Advisory
Pvt Ltd vs LLP vs OPC — right structure chosen based on funding plans and co-founder count.
Co-Founder Agreement
Roles, equity split, vesting schedule, IP ownership and exit clauses documented before incorporation.
Incorporation
SPICe+ filing, MOA & AOA, DSC, DIN, PAN and TAN handled from name to certificate.
DPIIT Recognition
Startup India application, Section 80-IAC IMB filing and angel tax exemption Form 2.
Cap Table Structuring
Initial shareholding, founder vesting and ESOP pool advised and documented.
Investor Documentation
Term sheet review, SHA, SSA and board resolution support for seed and angel rounds.
What every startup must get right from day one
Entity Type Matters
A Pvt Ltd is the only entity type that can issue ESOPs and is preferred by institutional investors.
Co-Founder Agreement First
Co-founder disputes are the number one reason early startups fail — document everything before incorporation.
Founder Vesting
Standard 4-year vesting with a 1-year cliff protects the company if a co-founder leaves early.
DPIIT Recognition Window
Must be applied for within 10 years of incorporation and before turnover crosses Rs 100 crore.
ESOP Pool
Typically 10-15% of fully diluted equity reserved for employees before Series A.
Cap Table Cleanliness
Messy cap tables (wrong allotments, missing ROC filings) delay investor due diligence significantly.
Co-founder equity split without a vesting schedule is the single most common startup legal mistake. If a co-founder leaves after 6 months holding 40% of the company with no vesting, it can derail the business and future fundraising. We document vesting before the first incorporation form is filed.
Legal mistakes that haunt startups at the funding stage
Simple steps, no surprises
Discovery call
We understand your idea, co-founder structure, funding plans and timeline.
Entity & structure advisory
Entity type, equity split, vesting and DPIIT eligibility advised in writing.
Incorporation & recognition
Company incorporated; co-founder agreement executed; DPIIT recognition filed.
Investor readiness
Cap table documented; ESOP plan approved; investor documentation reviewed on request.
Other services you may need
Frequently asked questions
A Private Limited Company is almost always the right choice for a startup that plans to raise funding, issue ESOPs or attract institutional investors. LLPs and OPCs are suitable for specific cases but cannot issue ESOPs and are less attractive to VCs.
Equity split, vesting schedule (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff), roles and responsibilities, IP ownership (all pre-incorporation IP assigned to the company), decision-making authority, exit provisions and dispute resolution.
As early as possible after incorporation — ideally in the first year. Recognition must be obtained before turnover crosses Rs 100 crore and within 10 years of incorporation.
A capitalisation table (cap table) shows the ownership structure of the company — who holds how many shares and at what percentage. Investors review the cap table during due diligence. A clean, accurate cap table that matches ROC records is essential.
An Employee Stock Option Pool is a block of shares reserved for employee options — typically 10-15% of fully diluted equity. It should be created before Series A so that dilution from the pool affects founders and early investors proportionally.
Both play different roles. A CS handles incorporation, ROC filings, DPIIT recognition and secretarial compliance. A lawyer drafts co-founder agreements, term sheets and investment contracts. We coordinate both for our startup clients.
Incorporation, DPIIT recognition, co-founder agreement and basic IP registration (trademark + copyright) is the essential legal foundation. We provide a fixed-fee startup legal package covering all of this.
Build your startup on the right legal foundation
Tell us your stage and structure. We will map the exact steps — entity, documentation, recognition and investor readiness.