Investor Readiness Checklist for Indian Startups: Before You Raise

Most fundraising delays come from problems founders could have fixed months earlier. This checklist covers what to get ready before you start talking to investors seriously.

Financials

• Audited accounts for every completed year.
• Monthly management accounts that reconcile to the audited accounts.
• A clear view of revenue, gross margin, burn and runway.
• Key metrics defined consistently — customers, retention, unit economics.
• A driver-based financial model with scenarios.

Compliance

• Annual ROC filings — AOC-4 and MGT-7 — up to date.
• Share allotments reported in PAS-3, and any foreign investment reported.
• Income-tax returns filed; TDS deducted, deposited and returned.
• GST registration and returns current and reconciled.
• PF, ESI and Professional Tax registered and paid where applicable.
• Director KYC current.

Equity

• A cap table that matches the register of members and MCA filings.
• Founder vesting documented.
• ESOP scheme approved, with grants documented.
• Any promises of equity — to advisors or early employees — written down.

Legal Foundations

• IP assigned to the company by founders, employees and contractors.
• Founders' agreement in place.
• Key customer and vendor contracts signed.
• Employment contracts with confidentiality and IP clauses.

Materials

• Pitch deck with a clear use of funds.
• Financial model.
• Data room organised by category.

Timing

Start three to six months before you plan to raise. Some fixes — like regularising old filings — take time.

Getting Help

Think Filing helps startups work through this checklist and get investor-ready.