Diligence is an open-book exam where the questions are known in advance: corporate records, financials, tax, contracts, IP, cap table. Founders who prepare the data room before the term sheet keep leverage and momentum; founders who scramble after it leak both. This engagement runs sell-side readiness properly.
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| Timing | Readiness work before the term sheet preserves valuation leverage |
| Findings | Most red flags are curable — if found by your side first |
| Data room | Indexed to the standard checklist investors' counsel actually send |
| Tone | Disclosed-and-explained beats discovered-and-negotiated, every time |
The red-flag memo, cured-items evidence, the structured data room, and a disclosure schedule draft aligned to what the room shows.
Everything — that is the point: corporate records, financials, returns, contracts, IP filings, HR papers, prior round documents.
Full disclosure to your own advisor is the working rule — surprises to us become surprises to investors at worse moments. Cure decisions and their costs are founder calls.
Deal negotiation and SHA/SSA legal drafting (coordinated with counsel), and buy-side diligence for investors (a separate engagement shape).
How early is early enough?
Six to eight weeks before expected diligence is comfortable; less is workable with focus. The audit itself takes days — cures are what need calendar.
Will you tell investors about problems you find?
We work for you — findings go to you, with cure plans. What is disclosed and when is your call, advised honestly on how each choice tends to play.
What kills rounds most often?
Not scandal — drift: unfiled allotments, unregistered IP assignments, GST/TDS gaps, cap-table mismatches. All boring, all curable, all fatal in bulk at the wrong moment.
Is the data room reusable for the next round?
That is the design: maintained per the update protocol, round two starts from ready.
The applicable scope, documentation, professional responsibilities and timelines are agreed in an engagement letter before commencement.
Cap Table ManagementStartup ValuationROC FilingsRequest a Scope DiscussionThis page describes the service in general terms as on 6 August 2026 and is not professional advice or an assurance of any outcome. Registrations, filings, refunds and departmental outcomes depend on facts and the concerned authority. Figures and due dates change; verify current positions before acting.
| Compliance | Due | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FLA return (RBI) | 15 July (annual) | All entities with FDI/ODI on books |
| FC-GPR | 30 days from allotment | For fresh foreign investment |
| Valuation report (Rule 11UA / FEMA) | Before issue price is fixed | Method and valuer depend on route |
| ESOP: board/valuation/PAS-3 chain | Event-based | Perquisite TDS on exercise |
| DPIIT recognition | Anytime (before benefits) | Needed for 80-IAC and angel-tax relief |
Dates as generally applicable on 15 July 2026; extensions/notifications can change them — confirm current dates before relying.
The investor's checklist run by your side first.
Fixable items fixed, with evidence.
Data room built and indexed.
Q&A answered fast through closing.
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