Plain-English definitions of every term that matters when navigating Indian government schemes, startup tax benefits, and MSME incentives.
A fixed-term, cohort-based program that invests capital (typically ₹20–75 lakh) for equity (5–10%) and provides mentorship, network access, and a structured curriculum. Ends with a demo day. Different from an incubator — accelerators invest and take equity.
Self-assessment tax paid in four quarterly instalments during the financial year. Due when estimated annual tax liability exceeds ₹10,000 after TDS credits. Interest applies on shortfalls under Sections 234B and 234C.
A SEBI-registered privately pooled fund. Most Indian VC firms are Category II AIFs. Investment from an AIF into a startup is tax-neutral for the company at the time of the round.
The informal name for Section 56(2)(viib), which taxed startups on share premiums above fair market value. Fully abolished from 1 April 2024. FMV valuation reports are still needed.
A contractual protection that adjusts an investor's conversion ratio if the company raises a future round at a lower valuation. Weighted average anti-dilution is the Indian VC market standard; full ratchet is rare and founder-unfriendly.
A record of who owns what percentage of a company — equity shares, preference shares, options, and convertible instruments. Updated at every funding round and ESOP exercise. Always evaluate ownership on a fully diluted basis.
The standard equity instrument in Indian VC rounds. Preference shares issued to investors that must convert to ordinary equity at a fixed date or trigger — not debt. Carries liquidation preference and anti-dilution.
Enables collateral-free loans for micro and small enterprises by guaranteeing 75–85% of the loan amount to lenders. Apply through a bank or NBFC — not to CGTMSE directly.
An early-stage debt instrument that converts to equity at the next funding round. Carries interest and a maturity date. Used when valuation is uncertain; typically paired with a cap and discount rate.
Every director of an Indian company must hold a Director Identification Number (DIN) and file an annual KYC (DIR-3 KYC) by 30 September. Failure to file deactivates the DIN — blocking the director from signing any board resolution or statutory form.
The official government certification that designates a company as a startup under Startup India. Unlocks 80-IAC, ESOP deferral, patent fee rebates, and GeM EMD exemption.
A bilateral tax treaty between India and a foreign country that prevents the same income from being taxed twice. Reduces withholding tax (TDS) on cross-border payments. India has DTAAs with over 90 countries.
The specific legal definition under Section 80-IAC that determines which companies qualify for the 3-year profit tax holiday. Narrower than DPIIT recognition — IMB approval is required separately.
A mandatory retirement savings scheme for establishments with 20 or more employees. Both employer and employee contribute 12% of basic salary. EPFO registration required within 30 days of crossing the threshold.
A mandatory health and social security insurance scheme for employees earning up to ₹21,000/month, administered by ESIC. Applies to establishments with 10 or more employees. Employer contributes 3.25% of wages; employee contributes 0.75%.
A right granted to employees to buy company shares at a fixed exercise price after a vesting period. Tax applies at exercise as perquisite income and again at sale as capital gains.
The law governing foreign investment into India. Most FDI uses the Automatic Route — no prior RBI approval needed. Startups raising from foreign investors must file Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment.
Documents required before remitting money to a non-resident above ₹7 lakh per year. Form 15CB is a CA certificate on the nature and taxability of the payment; Form 15CA is an online declaration. Banks will not process the transfer without them.
The official government procurement portal for India. DPIIT-recognised startups get EMD exemption and 25% purchase preference on Central government tenders. No minimum turnover to register.
Mandatory above ₹20 lakh annual turnover for services (₹40 lakh for goods). E-commerce sellers and startups making interstate supplies must register regardless of turnover. Required for DPIIT recognition.
A 10-digit PAN-linked code issued by DGFT, mandatory for any business importing or exporting goods or services from India. Required before the first cross-border shipment or foreign currency remittance for services exports.
An organisation that supports early-stage startups with workspace, mentorship, and access to funding. DPIIT-approved incubators are the access point for SISFS seed grants — startups cannot apply to SISFS directly.
The government committee that evaluates and approves Section 80-IAC tax holiday applications. DPIIT recognition is a prerequisite — IMB approval is a separate, substantive process.
An annual declaration that lets GST-registered exporters supply goods or services to foreign clients without charging GST. Filed online on the GST portal; valid for the financial year. Essential for SaaS and services exporters.
A contractual right giving investors priority over ordinary shareholders in a company exit or winding up. A 1x non-participating preference is the Indian VC market standard — it protects downside without capping upside in high-value exits.
A hybrid entity combining limited liability with partnership-style taxation. Popular for professional services firms. Cannot issue equity shares — which rules out VC investment via CCPS and makes Section 80-IAC and ESOPs unavailable.
A minimum 15% tax on company book profits, applicable even when normal income tax is zero due to deductions like Section 80-IAC. Startups with IMB approval get specific MAT relief.
A collateral-free government-backed loan of up to ₹10 lakh (₹20 lakh for Tarun Plus) for micro and small enterprises, available through banks, NBFCs, and microfinance institutions.
A 20-year exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, or selling a novel invention. Registered with the Indian Patent Office. DPIIT-recognised startups get an 80% fee rebate and fast-track examination under the Startup India IP scheme.
A preferential tax regime that taxes income derived from patented IP at a reduced rate compared to ordinary corporate income tax. Common in the UK (10%), Netherlands, and Ireland. India does not have a formal patent box, but Section 35(2AB) and 80-IAC provide structurally similar incentives for IP creation.
Cash incentive of 1–20% on incremental manufacturing sales above a baseline year. Fourteen active schemes from drones to food processing. Incentives are paid by the government annually.
Pre-money valuation is what investors agree the company is worth before new capital is invested. Post-money is the value immediately after — pre-money plus the new investment. The distinction directly sets each investor's ownership percentage.
The mandatory annual filings every private limited company must make with the Registrar of Companies — Form AOC-4 (financial statements) and Form MGT-7 (annual return). Non-filing attracts ₹100/day penalties and, after 3 years, director disqualification.
The Income Tax Rule that prescribes how to compute FMV of unlisted shares in India. The DCF or NAV method choice directly determines ESOP perquisite tax and secondary sale tax liability.
A pre-investment instrument where an investor pays now and receives equity at the next priced round. No interest, no maturity date. Simpler than a convertible note; growing in Indian seed rounds, especially with foreign angels.
A 100% deduction on approved scientific research expenditure — capital and revenue — for companies with DSIR-approved R&D facilities. Previously a weighted super-deduction (150–200%); reduced to 100% from AY 2021-22.
Exemption from long-term capital gains on a residential property sale if proceeds are reinvested in equity shares of an eligible startup within the specified period.
The loss carryforward restriction that triggers when a company changes beneficial ownership by more than 51%. DPIIT-recognised startups have a 7-year exemption — relevant before every funding round.
A 100% income tax deduction on startup profits for any three consecutive years within the first ten after incorporation. Requires both DPIIT recognition and separate IMB approval.
A private contract between a company's shareholders governing equity transfers, governance rights, investor protections, and exit mechanisms. Negotiated from the term sheet; more binding and detailed than the articles of association.
Development finance institution for India's MSMEs. Manages the SISFS seed fund corpus and the Fund of Funds for Startups, deployed to startups through registered AIFs.
The Government of India's flagship startup programme, launched January 2016. DPIIT recognition is the core certification — the gateway to tax exemptions, seed funding, and IP benefits.
Government grants of up to ₹20 lakh and debt of up to ₹50 lakh for DPIIT-recognised startups, disbursed through DPIIT-approved incubators. Managed by SIDBI.
Shares issued to employees or directors for non-cash contributions — IP, know-how, or expertise. Issued immediately at a discount or for non-cash consideration. Distinct from ESOPs.
Tax collected by the seller at the point of sale on specified goods and transactions — scrap, timber, tendu leaves, liquor, minerals, and overseas remittances. Section 206C of the Income Tax Act. Different from TDS, which is deducted by the buyer.
Tax deducted by the payer before making payment — covering salaries, contractor fees, rent, and professional charges. Requires a TAN. Failure to deduct disallows 30% of the expense for income tax purposes.
A non-binding summary of the key commercial and governance terms an investor proposes before drafting the full shareholder agreement. Sets the negotiating baseline — most economic decisions are made here, not in the final documents.
Legal protection for a brand name, logo, or slogan registered with the Trade Marks Registry. Grants 10-year renewable exclusive rights. Rights date from the filing date — not the registration date.
Rules governing how transactions between related parties must be priced — at arm's length, as if between independent parties. Applies when a startup has a foreign subsidiary, foreign parent, or any related foreign entity. Form 3CEB required annually.
Debt financing for venture-backed startups, structured as a term loan or revolving facility alongside or after an equity round. Does not require profitability or collateral — lenders rely on VC backing and growth trajectory. Typical size: 25–35% of the last equity round.
The timeline over which a founder or employee earns their shares or options. Standard: 4-year vest with 1-year cliff. Investors impose reverse vesting on founders; ESOP plans govern employee vesting.