- Business Structure: Your startup should be registered as one of the following:
- A Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013.
- A Registered Partnership Firm under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932.
- A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.
- Age of the Business: Your startup should be relatively young. The following age restrictions apply:
- For an entity to qualify as a startup, it should not be more than ten years old from the date of its incorporation or registration.
- Biotechnology startups can be up to 15 years old.
- Annual Turnover: To be eligible for Startup India benefits, your business should have an annual turnover of less than INR 100 crores in any of the preceding financial years.
- Innovation and Scalability:
- Your startup should not be formed by splitting up, or reconstructing, an existing business.
- It should not be engaged in activities such as real estate, capital market investments, or non-profit activities.
- Fast-track patent examination and protection.
- Income tax exemptions for a specified period.
- Easy access to government tenders and funding opportunities.
- Simplified compliance procedures and self-certification.
- Access to a network of incubators, accelerators, and industry mentors.