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Setting Up Business in India | India Entry Advisory | The Startup Gig
India Market Entry Advisory

India is the opportunity. The regulatory landscape is the complexity.

For global businesses and investors entering India, the regulatory landscape is layered. Company law, FDI rules, taxation, data protection, sector-specific regulations. We provide a single advisory thread across all of them so you do not need five separate vendors and three conflicting opinions.

₹800Cr+

Deal Value Advised

2000+

Startups Served

180+

Investors Served

11 Yrs

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4.9/5

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    The Challenge

    India entry: where foreign businesses often misstep

    ⚠ The Gap

    India's regulatory environment is not difficult because it is unclear; it is difficult because it is layered. FEMA governs foreign investment. The Companies Act governs corporate structure. GST, withholding tax, and transfer pricing each have their own compliance calendars. DPDPA adds data protection. And sector-specific regulations add another layer entirely.

    Most foreign businesses try to navigate this by hiring multiple local vendors. One for incorporation, another for tax, a third for legal, and a fourth for compliance. The result is fragmented advice, conflicting opinions, and nobody with a complete picture of how the pieces connect.

    ✓ Our Approach

    We handle India entry as one integrated advisory. Entity selection based on your specific use case. FDI compliance from day one. Tax structuring that works for both your India entity and your parent company. Employment law compliance for your India team. And ongoing regulatory support that keeps everything current.

    One firm. One thread. One team that understands how company law, FDI regulations, tax, and compliance all interact in your specific situation.

    India Entry Services

    Four phases.
    One India strategy.

    Entity setup, advisory, and ongoing support. From first entity to full operations.

    • 01

      Entity Incorporation & Setup

      The Gap: Choosing the wrong entity type creates downstream complications.

      Entity setup decisions influence how efficiently a business can operate, raise capital, manage compliance, and expand within India. The right structure creates long-term flexibility across both operations and governance.

      Private LimitedBranch OfficeLiaison OfficeWOSJoint VentureProject OfficeBanking Setup
      Explore Entity Incorporation
    • 02

      Tax, Legal & Accounting Advisory

      The Gap: Fragmented advice from multiple vendors who do not coordinate.

      As businesses expand into India, legal, tax, and regulatory obligations become increasingly interconnected. A coordinated advisory approach helps maintain compliance consistency while supporting smoother operational decision-making.

      GSTWithholding TaxEmployment LawFEMACommercial ContractsPOSH
      Explore Tax, Legal & Accounting Advisory
    • 03

      Ongoing Compliance & Regulatory

      The Gap: Compliance backlog that accumulates silently until it blocks a transaction.

      Regulatory gaps rarely emerge from one missed filing. They usually build gradually through disconnected processes, inconsistent oversight, and delayed compliance decisions. Our approach focuses on maintaining continuity across the entire compliance framework.

      ROC FilingsFEMA ReportingStatutory AuditsBoard GovernanceTax ReturnsCompliance Calendar
      Explore Ongoing Compliance
    • 04

      Transfer Pricing Advisory

      The Gap: Intercompany transactions that lack commercial defensibility across jurisdictions.

      Poorly structured transfer pricing arrangements often create avoidable tax exposure, audit scrutiny, and operational friction across jurisdictions. We help businesses align intercompany pricing with both commercial substance and regulatory expectations.

      Benchmarking Studies Master File Local File Intercompany Pricing APA Support Audit Readiness
      Explore Transfer Pricing Advisory
    How We Work

    Deliberate by design.

    We are not structured for volume. We are structured for outcomes.

    India Strategy Call

    We understand your business model, India use case, investment plans, and timeline. This determines the right entity type and compliance strategy.

    Entity Formation

    Registration, banking, registered office, statutory compliance setup, and initial regulatory filings. Operational foundation established.

    Advisory & Structuring

    Transfer pricing, intercompany agreements, employment framework, and commercial contracts. The advisory layer that protects your India operations.

    Ongoing Operations

    Monthly and quarterly compliance, regulatory filings, and governance support. Your India entity stays clean and current without your management team spending time on it.

    TESTIMONIALS

    Clients Perspective

    Mr. Vatsa Vakil

    Mr. Vatsa Vakil

    Managing Partner at Helix Capital

    I’ve worked with The Startup Gig across multiple investments now, and they’ve become my go-to legal team. They understand exactly how I evaluate deals, anticipate issues before I even raise them, and handle negotiations with a great balance of firmness and practicality. Having that consistency across deals is incredibly valuable.

    Harish Menon

    Harish Menon

    Co-Founder - House of Alpha

    The more deals we’ve done together, the smoother the process has become. They understand my risk appetite, my negotiation style, and what I care about in a deal. That familiarity makes every new transaction significantly easier.

    Nimesh Kampani

    Nimesh Kampani

    Founding Partner- 108 Capital

    Having known Pooja for a while and having seen her work up close, I can say they operate with a high degree of professionalism and consistency.

    Their ability to navigate transactions, simplify complex issues, and support founders effectively reflects the kind of legal partner startups truly need.

    Mr. Dhiraj Gambhire

    Mr. Dhiraj Gambhire

    Pharma Physician-Scientist

    Setting up and scaling in India meant dealing with multiple layers of legal work, especially around contracts and compliance. The Startup Gig supported us across a wide spectrum of agreements, ensuring everything was structured, consistent, and aligned with our global standards.

    What stood out was their responsiveness and ability to keep up with our pace as a growing company. For an overseas founder, that kind of reliable execution is invaluable.

    Mr. Gokul Prakash

    Mr. Gokul Prakash

    Chief Executive Officer at Lamberton Power

    We engaged The Startup Gig to help structure a joint venture in the sustainable energy space, and their approach went far beyond standard legal support.

    They brought a strong understanding of both the commercial objectives and the regulatory landscape, helping us design a structure that was not only compliant but also aligned with our long-term goals. Their ability to anticipate issues and navigate negotiations made them a valuable partner in the process.

    Mr. Dushyant Kothari

    Mr. Dushyant Kothari

    Founder & CEO, Hyurja Fuel Systems Private Limited

    We engaged The Startup Gig during a critical phase of our funding round, and their support made a tangible difference in getting the transaction closed.

    From handling documentation to actively supporting negotiations, they were hands-on, responsive, and solution-oriented throughout. Their ability to balance investor expectations with our interests helped move the deal forward smoothly.

    Mr. Faizan Ayubi

    Mr. Faizan Ayubi

    Co-Founder and CEO at Trackier

    What impressed us was their ability to deliver a full set of agreements within strict timelines while maintaining attention to detail.

    It’s rare to find a team that combines speed with precision so effectively.

    Mr. Nimeet Dhokai

    Mr. Nimeet Dhokai

    Co-Founder @ Happi Planet

    In the FMCG space, trademarks are not just legal assets—they are the foundation of the brand. There is absolutely no room for error.

    The Startup Gig handled 30+ trademark applications for us with remarkable precision and consistency. Their process was structured, efficient, and gave us complete confidence that every filing was done right.

    Mr. Omkar Magar

    Mr. Omkar Magar

    Sr. Software Developer

    As a first-time founder raising a substantial round, the process felt overwhelming at times. What truly stood out was how personally involved Pooja ma’am was throughout.

    No matter how many questions I had—even repetitive ones—she took the time to explain every detail with patience and clarity. That level of handholding gave me immense confidence.

    The Startup Gig didn’t just help us close the round—they made the entire journey smooth and far less stressful.

    Mr. Aum Deshpande

    Mr. Aum Deshpande

    Founder, Armor

    We onboarded The Startup Gig compliance team after a frustrating experience with our previous partners, and the difference was evident from day one.

    The handover was incredibly smooth, despite the volume and complexity of our transactions as a consumer electronics brand. Given the scale we operate at, even small errors can lead to serious GST and TDS implications—and we had already faced that earlier.

    With The Startup Gig, everything feels structured, accurate, and finally under control. We’re now on the right track.

    Mr. Ninad Saraf

    Mr. Ninad Saraf

    Founder @ Ultramotiv

    We had initially onboarded another firm for our funding compliance, but the experience was disappointing—they were expensive and assigned extremely junior associates to critical parts of our transaction, which made us feel like we weren’t a priority.

    With The Startup Gig, the difference was immediate. The founder herself was actively involved, which gave us confidence that there was real oversight and no scope for error. Their secretarial team handled the compliance aspects efficiently and seamlessly.

    For a startup, having an integrated legal and compliance team like this is invaluable.

    Mr. Tanmay

    Mr. Tanmay

    Co-Founder & CEO @ BAAS Technologies

    In a sector like aerospace, where transactions are complex and stakes are high, speed usually comes at the cost of precision. The Startup Gig proved otherwise.

    They helped us close our term sheet at lightning speed while ensuring every detail was thoroughly thought through. Their ability to move fast without compromising on quality made a real difference in maintaining deal momentum.

    Mr. Arvind Venkat

    Mr. Arvind Venkat

    Insuretech and Reinsurance

    We’ve been working with The Startup Gig for over three years now, and the experience has been consistently seamless.

    As an insurtech company based out of Dubai, we needed a team that could understand our evolving requirements and support us reliably over time—and they’ve done exactly that.

    At this point, we genuinely cannot think of working with any other law firm.

    Prachi Diwakar

    Prachi Diwakar

    Angel Investor

    Negotiating with founders can be tricky—you want protection without derailing the relationship. The Startup Gig handled this balance exceptionally well. They pushed for the right safeguards while keeping the conversation constructive. That’s a rare skill.

    Mr. Arvind Venkat

    Disha Shah

    AVP @ Alphatron Capital

    As we began evaluating opportunities in India, we were looking for legal counsel that could combine local expertise with global standards—and TheStartupGig delivered exactly that.

    Their diligence was thorough, structured, and highly actionable, whether we were assessing direct startup investments or commitments into other funds. What stood out was their ability to contextualize legal risks within the Indian regulatory landscape while keeping our global investment framework intact.

    They’ve become a trusted partner as we expand our footprint in India.

    Suma Monde Kapital Partners

    Suma Monde Kapital Partners

    As a fund evaluating and executing investments in India, we needed legal partners who could operate at institutional standards while navigating local complexities. TheStartupGig delivered exactly that.

    Their diligence was comprehensive, their advice commercially grounded, and their ability to support both direct investments and fund-level commitments was particularly valuable. They’ve become a reliable extension of our team for India.

    Mr. Arvind Venkat

    Mr. prateek Gupta

    Founder THW-The Healthy World | Founder Desi Farms | Founder Laxmi Industries

    Operating in the agritech space means working with a diverse set of stakeholders—core team, on-ground operators, and long-term partners. Designing an ESOP that fairly aligned everyone was critical for us.

    TheStartupGig helped us structure and implement our ESOP in a way that was both practical and scalable. They simplified a complex process, ensured compliance, and helped us create a plan that truly incentivizes long-term value creation.

    Ms. Kareena Singh

    Ms. Kareena Singh

    Co-Founder at Bnwwear

    As a first-time founder raising my first round in the fashion space, I had a lot of questions and uncertainties. TheStartupGig didn’t just handle the legal work—they guided me through the entire process with patience and clarity.

    From explaining terms to negotiating with investors and closing the documentation, they made what felt overwhelming much more manageable. I genuinely felt supported at every step.

    "Successful India expansion depends less on speed of entry and more on the strength of the foundation underneath it."

    The Startup Gig

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Things Worth Knowing

    What entity type should I register in India?
    It depends on your use case. A wholly owned subsidiary (Private Limited) is most common for businesses planning operations, hiring, and revenue generation in India. A liaison office works for market research and coordination. A branch office suits service delivery. We evaluate based on your specific plans and recommend the right structure.
    What is FEMA and why does it matter for foreign businesses?
    FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) governs all cross-border capital flows in India. If you are a foreign entity investing in India, receiving money from India, or transferring shares involving Indian entities, FEMA compliance is mandatory. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties and operational restrictions.
    Can you handle everything with one team?
    Yes. That is our core value proposition for India entry. Entity setup, tax advisory, legal contracts, compliance filings, and ongoing governance, all handled by one integrated team. You do not need to manage multiple vendors or reconcile conflicting advice.
    How long does it take to set up a company in India?
    A Private Limited Company can take anywhere between 15 to 30 days depending on document clearance. However, banking setup, GST registration, and operational readiness typically take an additional 3 to 4 weeks. We manage the full process end to end.
    Do you support companies already operating in India?
    Absolutely. Many of our India entry clients come to us after an initial setup by another provider. We conduct a compliance audit, fix any gaps, and take over ongoing management. The transition is smooth because we have done it many times.

    India is worth getting right. And getting right means getting the structure right first.

    Tell us what you want to build in India. We will help you set it up properly from day one.

    Schedule a Confidential Discussion
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