How to Register a Startup in India: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building a startup is challenging. It involves identifying a problem, devising a suitable solution, developing the solution, finding a revenue model, marketing the product, and more. However, registering a startup is surprisingly straightforward. In this blog, I will provide a step-by-step guide on how to register a startup in India.

Eligibility Criteria for a Startup

• The Startup should be incorporated as a private limited company or registered as a partnership firm or a limited liability partnership
• Turnover should be less than INR 100 Crores in any of the previous financial years
• An entity shall be considered as a startup up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation
• The Startup should be working towards innovation/ improvement of existing products, services and processes and should have the potential to generate employment/ create wealth. An entity formed by splitting up or reconsutrctuon of an existing business shall not be considered a "Startup"

Step 1 : Company Registration

The startup registration process begins with registering your business under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). You can register as either a Private Limited (best suited for startups) or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). However, to qualify as a startup in India, you must be registered as one of these entities.

How to Register a Company

1. Register a Company through MCA Website
2. Register a Company through Charted Accountant/ Company Secretary
3. Register a Partnership Firm through E-Groops Portal

We won't delve deeply into the process because it involves several steps that are beyond the scope of this blog.

Step 2 : Register on Startupindia website (https://www.startupindia.gov.in)

1. Visit Startup India website and create an account https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/registration.html

2. Fill in your Name, Email ID, Mobile number and Password

Step 3 : Provide Startup Details

1. Choose who you are. As we are registering as a startup we choose Startup 

2. Provide your startup detaiLS, which include your startup logo, name and stage 
   
   Choose stage according to your startup stage:
   
   Ideation - You have an idea for a product or a service
   Validation - You have build a minimum viable product (MVP)
   Early Traction - You have acquired customers, generating revenue
   Scaling - You are generating sustainable profit
   
   
   
   

3. Enter your contact information 
   

4. Choose the category which best suits your Startup
   

5. Finally, choose what you are interested in on the Startup India website. Just check them off and save your profile.
   

6. If you get a popup like this, then congratulations, you have successfully registered on the Startup India website. Now, go to the dashboard.
   
    

Step 4 : Get DPIIT Recognized 

This is kind of an important step in your startup registration journey

BENEFITS OF DPIIT RECOGNITION

• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
• Income Tax Exemption - 80 iac & 56 of ITA
• Startup India Investor Connect & Fund-Of-Fund Scheme
• Easier Public Procurement Norms
• Access To Pro-Bono Services & Maarg Mentorship
• Protection of Intellectual Property
• Self certification in Labour & Environmental Laws
• Easy Winding Up of Company

To get DPIIT Startup Recognition

1. Visit https://www.nsws.gov.in/
   
2. Choose Startup India Registration
   
3. Signup using your Name, Email and Mobile Number
   
   
4. Select your Legal Entity Type
   
5. Provide your Company Pan Detail
   
6. Enter Your Company Address (Both Postal/ Registered Address)
    
7. Pan Verification Process (For this, you need your PAN Number and Digital Signature Certificate)
   
   Click Proceed to Verify
   
   Click on Add New
   Fill in the DetailsAdd Digital Signature Certificate
   
   If it is successful, You will get a popup like this
   
    
8. Now lets Add an Approval, for that
   
   Open the Dashboard and click on Add New Approval
   Choose Central Approvals
   
   Search for Registration as a Startup
   
   Click ADD TO DASHBOARD
   
   Now you will have Registration as a Startup Approval in the Dashboard. Now click on Apply Now
   
   

Step 5 : Get Central Approval

After you click on Apply Now, You will be redirect to this Application Form. 

1. First step is to fill all your Startup Details. This include  Entity Details, Full Address, Authorized Representative Details, Director(s)/Partner(s) Details
   
2. After all that, we should provide the nature of the startup. Indicate whether the startup is innovative, scalable, or both. If it is both, select both.
   
   
   
3. Provide Details of Funding
   
4. Provide more details about your startup, such as the problem you aim to solve, the solution you offer, the uniqueness of your solution, how you generate revenue, and other relevant aspects.
   
5. Now Provide links or Additional Document to support your Application 
   
   
   
    
6. Upload your Incorporation Certificate and Authorization Letter, which can be downloaded by clicking on the download button on the right side of the field. Additionally, you must self-declare all the fields beneath the upload section.
   
   
7. Finally, let's finish by agreeing to all the terms and conditions.
   
   
8. After you have completely filled out your application, you can review and submit it.
   
   
   
   
   
    

Step 6 : Wait for Application to Approve

It takes 2-5 business days for the application to be approved. If your application is approved, you will see "Approved" on your dashboard, and you can download it right away.

And that is how, you register a Startup in India.