The Startup India Portal Launched by Secretary, DIPP, Mr. Ramesh Abhishek in New Delhi today. Now Startups and Indian Entrepreneurs which are waiting for this portal from long time is over. So Let’s learn about this portal like How to Register on Startup India Portal and Mobile App & Get the benefits under the Modi’s Startup India Plan.
First of all we have to understand about the Portal Key Features which are followings –
- Information Availability: – The portal and mobile app provide up-to- date information on various notifications/ circulars issued by various Government ministries/ departments, towards creation of a conducive ecosystem for Startups. The portal and mobile app provide information regarding incubators and funding agencies recognized for the purpose of recommending Startups (as part of Startup recognition application). A comprehensive list of FAQs is also available to help Startups, Incubators and Funding Agencies use the portal and mobile app more effectively.
- Startup India Hub:- The Startup India Hub, which has been established within Invest India, will be a single point of contact for the entire Startup ecosystem which would enable exchange of knowledge. The Hub will work in a hub and spoke model with Governments, VCs, Angel Funds, Incubators, Mentors, etc. It will assist Startups through their lifecycle, on all aspects, such as providing mentorship, incubator facilities, IPR support, funding etc. The Hub will be operational from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days and can be reached via the toll free number: 1800115565 or the email ID: dipp-startups@nic.in
- Application for Startup Recognition: – Entities that fulfil the criteria as per the definition of “Startup” and are incorporated/ registered in India, can obtain recognition as a “Startup” to avail various benefits listed in the Startup India Action Plan. The process of recognition is simple and user friendly and involves a single page application form that a user can fill either through a web interface or through mobile app. Formats of the recommendation/ support letters that need to be attached as part of the application form have been published on the portal and mobile app.
- Real Time Startup Recognition: – A real time recognition certificate is provided to Startups on completion of the application process. A digital version of the final certificate of recognition is available for download, through the portal and mobile app. A request for certificate of eligibility for tax exemptions from Inter-ministerial Board will be made simultaneously by selection of a simple option.
- Verification of Recognition Certificate: – The certificate of recognition is verifiable through the portal and mobile app by entering the Startup Recognition/ Certificate Number.
- Approval of Inter-Ministerial Board: – DIPP has also setup an Inter-Ministerial Board to verify the eligibility of Startups opting to avail Tax and IPR related benefits and to provide a certificate of eligibility to innovative Startups.
So above features are really user friendly so startup can register their self easily without helping of any professional.
Let’s learn about How to Register on Startup Portal and Mobile App
We have to take following actions before to register on Startup India Portal :-
a) Register Our Business as Legal Entity
Before the Registration on Startup Portal we have to register our business as legal entity in india. so as a Startup we have only 3 Option for the Registration which is available for the Startups :-
- Partnership Firm :- Its a Partnership Firm Legal Entity which is register under the partnership firm act.
Procedure of the Partnership Firm :- We have to Draft a Partnership Deed where our terms and conditions of the partnership firm are mentioned & apply for the pan card then register the partnership deed with Registrar of Firms.
Costing :- If we done this through professional like CA/CS or Lawyer or any agent then its cost nearby 6000 INR to 7000 INR in most of the state.In India most of the partnership firm are not registered under the partnership act because they just prepare the deed but not register with the Registrar of Firms. - Limited Liability Partnership Firm :- Its called LLP in short term which is register under the LLP Act. its a similar to partnership firm but in simple words its a mixture of the partnership firm and private limited company which can enjoy limited liability in the business.
Costing – if we done this through professional like CA/CS or Lawyer or any agent then its cost nearby 9000 to 10000 INR in most of the state. - Private limited company :- its a one of the most popular legal entity in India. its a similar like LLP but when you want to raise the funding from investor, they prefer the Private limited company.
Costing :- if we done this through professional like CA/CS or Lawyer or any agent then its cost nearby 13000 to 15000 INR in most of the states except Punjab, MP or Kerela where stamp duty is very higher.
Note : What about the Sole Propreitorship Firm which are registered by the Single Founder ?
Its not a business Legal entity or even its not registered under any act of the business. its a just register as tax registration in India like service tax or VAT or CST but best for the startup to try testing their idea.
b) Eligibility for Applying Under the Startup India
Now we talk about the 2nd Step. We have to checkout our Startup Eligibility for the Startup India. Lets view the official startup India eligibility which is announced in official gazette on this 17th Feb. 2016.
Official Notification for the Startup India Eligibility
The Government of India has announced ‘Startup India’ initiative for creating a conducive environment for startups in India. The various Ministries of the Government of India have initiated a number of activities for the purpose. To bring uniformity in the identified enterprises, an entity shall be
considered as a ‘startup’-
a) Up to five years from the date of its incorporation/registration,
b) If its turnover for any of the financial years has not exceeded Rupees 25 crore, and
c) It is working towards innovation, development, deployment or commercialization of new products,
processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property;
Provided that any such entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of a business already in existence shall
not be considered a ‘startup’;
Provided further that in order to obtain tax benefits a startup so identified under the above definition shall be
required to obtain a certificate of an eligible business from the Inter-Ministerial Board of Certification
consisting of:
a) Joint Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion,
b) Representative of Department of Science and Technology, and
c) Representative of Department of Biotechnology.
Explanation:
1. An entity shall cease to be a startup on completion of five years from the date of its
incorporation/registration or if its turnover for any previous year exceeds Rupees 25 crore.
2. Entity means a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013), or a registered
partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability
partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2002).
3. Turnover is as defined under the Companies Act, 2013.
4. An entity is considered to be working towards innovation, development, deployment or
commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual
property if it aims to develop and commercialize:
a. A new product or service or process, or
b. A significantly improved existing product or service or process, that will create or add
value for customers or workflow.
4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
Provided that the mere act of developing:
a. products or services or processes which do not have potential for commercialization, or
b. undifferentiated products or services or processes, or
c. products or services or processes with no or limited incremental value for customers or
workflow
would not be covered under this definition.
5. The process of recognition as a ‘startup’ shall be through mobile app/portal of the Department of
Industrial Policy and Promotion. Startups will be required to submit a simple application with any of
following documents:
a) a recommendation (with regard to innovative nature of business), in a format specified by
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, from any Incubator established in a postgraduate college in India; or
b) a letter of support by any incubator which is funded (in relation to the project) from
Government of India or any State Government as part of any specified scheme to promote
innovation; or
c) a recommendation (with regard to innovative nature of business), in a format specified by
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, from any Incubator recognized by Government
of India; or
d) a letter of funding of not less than 20 per cent in equity by any Incubation Fund/Angel
Fund/Private Equity Fund/Accelerator/Angel Network duly registered with Securities and
Exchange Board of India that endorses innovative nature of the business. Department of
Industrial Policy and Promotion may include any such fund in a negative list for such reasons
as it may deem fit; or
e) a letter of funding by Government of India or any State Government as part of any specified
scheme to promote innovation; or
f) a patent filed and published in the Journal by the Indian Patent Office in areas affiliated with
the nature of business being promoted.
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion may, until such mobile app/portal is launched make
alternative arrangement of recognizing a ‘startup’. Once such application with relevant document
is uploaded a real-time recognition number will be issued to the startup. If on subsequent
verification, such recognition is found to be obtained without uploading the document or uploading
any other document or a forged document, the concerned applicant shall be liable to a fine which
shall be fifty per cent of paid up capital of the startup but shall not be less than Rupees 25,000.
This notification shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette
c) Sign up on Startup India Portal
Now talk about ” How to Sign up on Startup India Portal or Mobile app” and Register your Startup after the Eligibility.
Step 1 :- Log on Startup India Portal
Step 2 :- Choose your Legal Entity
Step 3 :- Input your Incorporation / Registration No.
Step 4 :- Input your Incorporation / Registration Date
Step 5 :- PAN Number (Optional)
Step 6 :- Input your Address with Pin Code & State
Step 7 :- Input Authorized Representative Details
Step 8 :- Input Director(s) / Partner(s) Details
Step 9 :- Choose and Upload Supporting Documents and Self-Certification any one
a) Recommendation (with regard to innovation nature of business), in a format specified by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, from any incubator established in post-graduate college in India
b) Letter of support by any Incubator which is funded (in relation to the project) from Government of India or any State Government as part of any specified scheme to promote innovation
c) Recommendation (with regard to innovative nature of business ), in a format specified by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, from any Incubator recognized by Government of India
d) Letter of funding of not less than 20 percent in equity by any Incubation Fund/ Angel Fund/ Private Equity Fund/ Accelerator/ Angel Network duly registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India that endorses innovative nature of the business. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion may include any such fund in a negative list for such reasons as it may deem fit
e) Letter of funding by Government of India or any State Government as part of any specified scheme to promote innovation
f) Patent filed and published in the Journal by the India Patent Office in areas affiliated with the nature of business being promoted
Step 10 :- Incorporation/ Registration Certificate of Company / LLP / Partnership Incorporation / Registration certificate
Step 11 :- Would you like to avail tax and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) related benefits [Note : In case the response is marked as “Yes” the application would be shared with the Inter–Ministerial Board for evaluation. The entity would be able to avail the Tax and IPR related benefits only on certification from the Inter-Ministerial Board]
Step 12 :- Certify the official notification terms and conditions.
Helpful Resources Regarding the Startup India :-
a) MyOnlineCA :- leading Online Legal Services Provider to Register Your Legal Entity in india with network of legal professionals.
Website :- www.myonlineca.in
App :- Download the App
Contact Details of Startup India Portal
Startup India Hub
Toll Free Number : 1800115565
Working Hours :10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Email : dipp-startups@nic.in
Shri A. Lakshmanaswamy
Research Officer
Room No. 344A, Udyog Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011