Startup India Registration

What is Startup India recognition?

Startup India is a Government of India initiative run by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Eligible businesses can apply for official recognition as a startup. Once recognised, your business receives a DPIIT certificate and a recognition number, and becomes eligible for a range of central and state benefits designed to help new businesses grow.

Eligibility criteria

• The entity must be a Private Limited Company, an LLP or a registered partnership firm
• It must be less than 10 years old from the date of incorporation or registration
• Annual turnover must not have exceeded ₹100 crore in any financial year since incorporation
• The business must work towards innovation, development or improvement of products, processes or services, or have a scalable business model with high potential for jobs or wealth creation
• It must not be formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business

Benefits of Startup India recognition

• Income tax holiday: eligible startups can apply for a 100% tax deduction on profits for three consecutive years out of their first ten, under Section 80-IAC.
• Intellectual property support: fast-tracked patent examination and up to 80% rebate on patent fees, plus a 50% rebate on trademark fees.
• Self-certification: compliance with certain labour and environmental laws through self-certification.
• Public procurement: relaxation of prior experience and turnover criteria in government tenders.
• Funding access: eligibility for the Fund of Funds for Startups and the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme through incubators.
• Easier exit: faster winding-up under insolvency laws for eligible startups.

Documents required

• Certificate of Incorporation or registration of the company, LLP or partnership firm
• PAN of the entity
• Details of directors or partners, with contact information
• A short write-up on the innovation, problem being solved and business model
• Website link, pitch deck, product demo or app link, if available
• Proof of funding, awards, patents or incubation support, if any

Our Startup India registration process

1. Eligibility check: we review your business structure, age and turnover.
2. Structure support: if you are still a proprietorship, we help you incorporate a company or LLP first.
3. Innovation write-up: we work with you to explain your idea clearly and convincingly, which is the key to approval.
4. Portal registration and application: we create your Startup India profile and file the DPIIT recognition application.
5. Follow-up: we respond to any clarification requested by DPIIT.
6. Recognition certificate: once approved, we guide you on applying for the 80-IAC tax exemption and other benefits.

Timeline and cost

There is no government fee for DPIIT recognition. Recognition is usually granted within a few weeks of a complete application. Our professional fee covers eligibility review, the write-up and filing, and is shared with you upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a proprietorship get Startup India recognition?

No. Only Private Limited Companies, LLPs and registered partnership firms are eligible for DPIIT recognition.

Does Startup India recognition give a tax exemption automatically?

No. Recognition makes you eligible to apply for the income tax holiday under Section 80-IAC, which requires a separate approval from the Inter-Ministerial Board.

How long does Startup India recognition take?

Once the application is filed with the required documents, DPIIT recognition is usually granted within a few weeks, subject to review.

Are there Tamil Nadu-specific startup schemes?

Yes. StartupTN, the Tamil Nadu government’s startup mission, runs grants, incubation and seed funding programmes. A DPIIT recognition and a Tamil Nadu registered office help with eligibility.