Startup India, launched on January 16, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a flagship initiative aimed at transforming India into one of the world’s leading startup ecosystems. Backed by a comprehensive 19-point Action Plan, the mission promotes innovation, encourages entrepreneurship, and seeks to generate large-scale employment opportunities across the country.
If you are already aware of what is start up India, here's a practical checklist from idea to funding to key Startup India resources.
1. Do Market Research,
Start with a unique or innovative idea that solves a problem or improves something. It could be a product, service, or even a new way of doing business.
Make sure your idea is practical, scalable, and something people would pay for.
Before starting, research the market: Who are your competitors? Who are your customers? What problem are you solving?
Use free tools like Google Trends, Surveys, Instagram Polls, and Quora to understand demand.
Talk to at least 10 people who face this problem before
spending money or building anything.
2. Test Your Idea (Cheap & Quick)
Don’t build a full product yet. Instead: Make a simple
drawing or mockup. Create a waitlist or landing page. Ask people: “Would you
use this? Would you pay for this?” If many people are interested, you're on the
right track.
3. Build Your Team & Decide Equity.
If you're starting
with friends or partners: Decide who owns what (example: 60% me, 40% you). Write
it down in a founder agreement. Include a vesting plan (people earn equity over
time, so no one quits early with full ownership). This avoids fights later.
4. Choose the Right Legal Structure
To get Startup India benefits, your startup should be: A
Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership. Less than 10 years old. Making
less than ₹100 crore per year. Working on something innovative or job-creating.
Investors prefer a Private Limited Company.
5. Register Your Company (Legally Set It Up)
Here’s what you need to do: Register your company on the MCA
website, Get your PAN, TAN, and GST number (if needed), Open a current bank
account, Keep digital copies of everything — you'll need them again
6. Apply for DPIIT Startup Recognition
This is your Startup India license. It gives you access to
tax benefits, funding, and legal support. Steps: Sign up on Startup India
portal, Fill in your details, Upload basic documents (Incorporation, PAN,
description, etc.). Once approved, you get recognized as a startup by the
Indian government!
7. Protect Your Ideas (IPR Help)
If your startup has a unique product, a special logo, an
invention or design, file a patent or trademark. With DPIIT recognition, you
get: 80% off on patent fees, Free help from government-approved experts, Fast
processing
8. Join Support Networks
You don’t have to do this alone. There are people ready to
help: MAARG platform – connect with mentors. BHASKAR registry – get discovered
by investors and partners. Incubators – like T-Hub, Atal Incubation Centres for
free workspace, training, funding chances
9. Apply for Government Seed Money (SISFS)
Need money to build your first product or test the idea?
Apply for the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme through an incubator. You’ll get:Grants
(free money) for prototyping, Debt (loans) to launch in the market
Requirements: Must be DPIIT recognized, Less than 2 years
old, Innovative idea in sectors like health, agriculture, energy, etc.
10. Raise Big Funding (SIDBI Fund of Funds)
If you want venture capital, target funds that got money
from the government.
These are called AIFs (Alternate Investment Funds), and they
are required to invest in startups like yours. Look for AIFs backed by SIDBI’s
₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds.
11. Want a Loan but Have No Collateral? Use CGSS
With DPIIT recognition, you can get loans without giving
property or security. Under Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): Banks/NBFCs
give you loans, Government guarantees your loan, Limit: up to ₹20 crore, Ask
the bank if they’re a CGSS "member institution" before applying.
12. Make a Great Pitch Deck
You’ll need a pitch deck (a short presentation) to raise
funding.
Use Startup India’s PitchDeck tool to: Write your story
(problem, solution, market size, etc.)
Add your numbers, Get AI help to design it professionally, Keep
it short, clear, and exciting.
13. Understand Term Sheets
When an investor is ready, they’ll send you a term sheet.
This is the deal in writing.
It shows: How much they’ll invest, Your company’s valuation,
Their rights in your business, Conditions for future funding or exit. Read it
carefully and ask a mentor or lawyer if unsure.
14. Use the Benefits You Earned!
With DPIIT recognition, you get: 3 years of no income tax
(Sec 80-IAC), Angel tax exemption
Relaxed compliance (labour & environmental), Access to
government contracts
List your startup on GeM (Government eMarketplace) to sell
to government departments.
15. Check for Extra State Benefits
Many states give extra perks like: Rent support, Patent fee
refunds, Hiring grants
Check the State Startup Policy section on Startup India for
benefits where you live.
Starting a startup doesn’t need to be scary. With a clear
idea, right registration, government support, and good planning, you can turn
your dream into a real business.
Quick Startup India Action Checklist (Print & Tick)
|
Stage |
Done? |
Action |
Notes |
|
Problem Defined |
☐ |
One‑line problem & target user |
|
|
User Validation |
☐ |
Talked to 10+ potential customers |
|
|
Founding Team |
☐ |
Roles, vesting agreement |
|
|
Legal Structure |
☐ |
Chosen Pvt Ltd / LLP / Partnership |
|
|
Incorporation |
☐ |
MCA filings, PAN, TAN, GST, Bank a/c |
|
|
DPIIT Recognition |
☐ |
Register and apply on Startup India/NSWS |
|
|
IPR Strategy |
☐ |
Contact SIPP facilitator; file provisional
patent/trademark |
|
|
Mentor Network |
☐ |
Join MAARG, BHASKAR; apply to the incubator. |
|
|
Seed Fund |
☐ |
Apply SISFS via incubator |
|
|
Target AIFs |
☐ |
Map SIDBI‑backed funds; warm intros |
|
|
Debt Option |
☐ |
Approach CGSS Member Institution for venture debt/working
capital |
|
|
Pitch Deck |
☐ |
Build deck (Startup India PitchDeck tool) |
|
|
Tax & Compliance |
☐ |
Apply Sec 80‑IAC; labour/environment self‑certification |
|
|
Public Procurement |
☐ |
Register on GeM (if relevant) |
|
|
State Incentives |
☐ |
Apply under state startup policy |
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