raising foreign investment in startups in India is subject to certain legal requirements and regulations. These regulations are dynamic and may have been subject to changes since then. Here are some key aspects to consider: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy: The FDI policy of India is periodically updated by the government. Startups need to comply with the FDI guidelines issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Sector-Specific Regulations: Certain sectors have specific FDI caps and conditions. Startups operating in sectors such as e-commerce, financial services, and others may have specific regulations governing foreign investment. Approval and Compliance: Some sectors or types of investments may require prior approval from government authorities, such as the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Complying with reporting requirements to the RBI or other regulatory bodies is crucial for startups receiving foreign investment. Convertible Notes and External Commercial Borrowings (ECB): Startups can raise funds through convertible notes or ECB, subject to the guidelines issued by the RBI. The terms and conditions for issuing convertible notes and ECB are subject to regulatory approval. Angel Tax: The issue of Angel Tax has been a concern for startups in the past. The government has introduced measures to ease the tax burden on startups, but it's essential to understand and comply with the applicable tax regulations. Compliance with Company Law: Startups should comply with the Companies Act, 2013, regarding the issuance of shares to foreign investors. This includes adherence to valuation norms and filing necessary forms with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Compliance: Stringent AML and KYC compliance measures are in place for foreign investments. Startups need to ensure compliance with these regulations while onboarding foreign investors. Reporting Requirements: Startups are required to report foreign investment details through the Foreign Currency and Remittances (FC-GPR) and Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) reporting systems. SEBI Regulations: If the startup is listed on a stock exchange, it must comply with SEBI regulations related to foreign investment, disclosures, and other applicable norms. It's crucial for startups to seek legal advice and conduct thorough due diligence to ensure compliance with the latest regulations governing foreign investment. Given the dynamic nature of these regulations, staying informed about updates and amendments is essential. Additionally, startups should consider consulting professionals familiar with the current regulatory landscape for foreign investments in India.

Dear Client, Startups in India may seek to raise foreign investment for expanding their businesses, and to do that, it is mandatory that they comply with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations. The legal requirements for this are – 1. It is necessary that the business that a startup deals in is a sector which is permitted for FDI. Some sectors permitted under the automatic route are – telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, agricultural sector, etc. Some sectors permitted under the government approval route are – defence, insurance, etc. 2. The startup has to be a private limited company or an LLP for it to receive FDI. 3. Any pricing guidelines like the equity shares and etc, that the startup issues to the foreign investors have to necessarily comply with the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI/FEMA guidelines. 4. It is mandatory for the startup to file and report all the foreign investment with the RBI/FDI portal within 30 days of receiving it. 5. The startup must ensure that any such foreign investment is approved by its board of directors. 6. The startup must update its Articles of Association to show all foreign investments obtained. I hope this answer helps. For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.