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Investor and Founder negotiating a shareholders' agreement.

Balancing Founder’s and Investor’s Rights in Startup Shareholders’ Agreement (Startup Fundraising Series, Part VIII)

The culmination of term sheet negotiations marks a significant milestone in any fundraising process. Yet, it is only the beginning of a far more detailed and legally consequential phase—one in which the parties transition from broad commercial alignment to the structuring of binding rights and obligations. Once the commercial framework has been agreed upon, the […]

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Founder evaluating compliance for FDI in the Indian startup

Raising Foreign Investment in India: FEMA and FDI Compliance Essentials (Startup Fundraising Series, Part VII)

Cross-border fundraising has become an essential component of the capital strategy for Indian startups and growth-stage companies, particularly those operating in technology-driven and globally scalable sectors. As venture capital and private equity increasingly flow through international structures, founders are required to navigate a regulatory landscape that is both sophisticated and compliance-intensive. At the centre of

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An investor conducting legal due diligence on a startup in India.

A Legal Due Diligence in Startup Investments: Bridging Caveat Emptor and Corporate Governance (Startup Fundraising Series, Part VI)

In India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape, the pursuit of capital often outpaces the establishment of legal structure. Amidst the momentum of valuation discussions and funding negotiations, it is legal due diligence that ensures the enterprise rests on a foundation of compliance and enforceability. The principle underlying this exercise is not new, it traces its origin

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Founder and Investor determining valuation and investor rights to protect valuation

A Legal Perspective on Determining and Safeguarding Startup Valuations in India (Startup Fundraising Series, Part V)

Valuation often forms the centrepiece of any startup fundraising discussion. For founders, it reflects the prospect of their vision; for investors, it signifies the price of future potential. Yet, in the early stages of a company’s life cycle, valuation is seldom a precise science. It sits at the intersection of commercial optimism, market sentiment, and

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A startup founder reviewing a term sheet received from an investor

Navigating the Term Sheet: Setting the Foundation for Startup Investments (Startup Fundraising Series, Part IV)

A term sheet marks the formal beginning of a fundraising transaction. It is a pre-contractual document that outlines the key commercial and legal contours of a proposed investment. While it is not a binding agreement in itself, it serves as a structured summary of the parties’ understanding and intent, setting the stage for the detailed

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A founder managing the cap table of her startup

Understanding Cap Tables: Legal Structuring and ESOP Regulations (Startup Fundraising Series, Part III)

A capitalization table, commonly referred to as a cap table, is a structured record of a company’s ownership detailing the securities issued, the percentage of holdings, and the rights attached to each class of shares or instruments. It is, in essence, the company’s equity map. Beyond being a numerical summary, a cap table reflects the

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A founder evaluating a venture capital investment round from risk versus rights view

Investment Instruments under Indian Law: Choosing the Right Structure for Startup Fundraising (Startup Fundraising Series, Part II)

Raising capital is one of the most defining milestones for any startup. As founders navigate their early growth journey, the choice of corporate finance instruments becomes more than a matter of convenience, it determines ownership structure, compliance obligations, and long-term investor relationships. In simple terms, these instruments represent the legal form through which investors bring

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A women founder taking care of her legal compliances

The Legal Framework for Startups in India: Building the Foundation for Fundraising (Startup Fundraising Series, Part I)

India’s startup ecosystem is burgeoning. As of December 2024, over 1.57 lakh startups have obtained DPIIT recognition, and they have generated more than 17.28 lakh direct jobs.[1] These numbers reflect the confidence in India’s innovation potential and the scale of enterprise being built nationwide. Yet, statistics also tell a harsher story: according to a study

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Convertible Notes: A stimulating tool for Indian start-ups in the financial marathon

Introduction   Start-ups aim to bridge market gaps with innovative products and services, and the availability of capital is crucial for their growth. Given their limited revenue and high failure risk, start-ups often face challenges raising funds. To overcome these, many opt for a hybrid investment tool known as convertible debt or convertible note. This

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Illustration of e-commerce fraud by way of dark pattern

Unraveling Dark Patterns: Navigating the Regulatory Framework in India

Ever felt an urgency to purchase your desired product online just because the concerned e-commerce platform notified that ‘only 2 pieces of the product stock left’? If yes, well, you might just have been a victim of a dark pattern. “Dark Patterns” is an abstract term referring to an array of deceptive practices that are

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