In its 210th board meeting published in PR No.33/2025, and circular number SEBI/HO/AFD/AFD-POD-1/P/CIR/2025/128 dated 10th September, 2025, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has approved a significant overhaul of the regulatory framework for Angel Funds under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, (“AIF Regulations”) and the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 (“ICDR Regulations”). The new set of amendments pro

Valuation of shares is a critical requirement in multiple business scenarios — from issuing new shares to transfer of ownership, fundraising, mergers, and regulatory compliance. However, who can value unlisted shares in India depends on the governing law applicable to the transaction, sometimes necessitating more than one valuation certificate.   This article outlines when share valuation is required under different Indian laws and who is authorized to conduct it. 1. Under th

Startups are now being recognized almost in every Central and State laws that relate to businesses. From Companies Law to Income Tax Law, certain benefits have been carved out for startup ventures, to accommodate their unique requirements and to incentivize them in the form of financial and qualitative benefits. In this article we dive deeper into the income tax incentives given to startups under the Income Tax Act 1961, who is eligible to avail those benefits and how to avai

When starting a new startup in India, one of the first and most critical decisions founders face is choosing the right legal structure - Private Limited Company (Pvt. Ltd.) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Both have their own benefits and challenges and making the right decision depends on multiple factors such as tax treatment, compliance requirements, investment-readiness, and mid & long-term vision. We often get this query from startup founders, so we compiled a

The transfer of unquoted equity shares of an Indian company between two resident individuals is a common transaction, often arising in family settlements, business restructuring, startup cap-table management, rewarding advisors and private agreements. However, such transfers carry tax implications under the Income-tax Act, 1961, particularly under sections 50CA and 56(2)(x), which should be accounted for before executing such transactions. In this article, we will consider a

Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) are a powerful tool for talent retention and wealth creation. However, issuing and exercising ESOPs in India comes with specific compliance and valuation requirements under various laws, including the Companies Act, Income Tax Act, and FEMA (in case of foreign employees). This guide breaks down the valuation and filing requirements at three crucial stages - Grant, Vesting, and Exercise - to help you stay compliant. Companies Act At the time

Explore why startup valuation is crucial in India for fundraise, investor confidence, and statutory filing. Learn how DCF analysis, Venture Capital Method and Comparative Analysis guides funding decisions in pre-seed, seed, pre-revenue, and Series A rounds. Gain insights to value your startup for investment, funding, and compliance in India’s dynamic ecosystem. Relevant for startups in Bangalore, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

The Scorecard Method of Valuation is a way of estimating the value of a early-stage startup (usually pre-seed and seed stage).

Explore why startup valuation is crucial in India for fundraise, investor confidence, and statutory filing. Learn how DCF analysis, Venture Capital Method and Comparative Analysis guides funding decisions in pre-seed, seed, pre-revenue, and Series A rounds. Gain insights to value your startup for investment, funding, and compliance in India’s dynamic ecosystem. Relevant for startups in Mumbai, Bangalore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Kolkata, India.