STAGE 02 OF 05PRE-SEED STAGE
02 PRE-SEED Stage

Register. Structure.

Raise your first cheque.

Pre-seed is where the idea becomes a real company. You’re registering the entity, setting up legal foundations, building your MVP, and approaching your first angels or accelerators. Every structural decision you make now will follow you to Series A.”

$25,000
median pre-seed cheque in India
3-6 mnths
typical raise timeline
10-15%
typical equity given at pre-seed
pre-seed funding India
how to register startup India
DPIIT recognition 2026
angel investors India

STARTUP JOURNEY

PRE-SEED STAGE CHECKLIST

Pvt Ltd registered with MCA
MUST
DPIIT recognition applied
MUST
Founders’ agreement signed
MUST
Current bank account opened
MUST
MVP live with first 10 users
SHOULD
Applied to 3+ accelerators
CAN

Biggest pre-seed challenges in India

🏛
Pvt Ltd vs LLP — which structure is right?
Choosing the wrong legal structure creates painful complications later. The registration decision directly affects DPIIT eligibility, ESOP structuring, and VC investment ability.
💰
How do I raise my first ₹25–50L in India?
FFF (family/friends/fools), angels, or accelerators? Each has different terms, expectations, and implications for your cap table. Choosing the right first investor matters enormously.
What legal agreements do I absolutely need now?
Founders who skip legal foundations at this stage pay dearly at seed round diligence. The NDA, founders' agreement, IP assignment, and ESOP framework all need to be in place before any external capital.

What idea stage founders struggle with the most

Templates for pre-seed stage founders

📝
Founders' Agreement Template (India Law)
WORD   ·   PDF
📧 Email required
🔒
NDA — Mutual & One-Way (India)
WORD   ·   PDF
⬇ Free Download
📋
DPIIT Application Checklist
PDF
⬇ Free Download
💰
Pre-Seed SAFE Note Template (India)
WORD   ·   PDF
📧 Email required

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