๐ Startup Legal Guide
Understand the legal landscape for Indian startups: fintech, healthtech, edtech, gaming, and more.
๐ฐ Fintech Startups
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Crypto & Blockchain | Build and trade digital assets, tokens, and currencies | โ
RBI restrictions, taxation, legality, exchange licensing | |
| Payment Gateways | Enable digital payments via apps/websites | โ
RBI licenses, PCI DSS compliance | |
| Neobanks | 100% digital banking with no branches | โ
Banking partner agreements, RBI compliance | |
| Lending & BNPL | Instant loans, pay-later services | โ
NBFC license, KYC/AML, RBI norms | |
| Insurtech | Online insurance issuance and claims | โ
IRDAI registration, product approval | |
| Stock & Investment Platforms | Offer stocks, mutual funds, ETFs etc. | โ
SEBI registration, investor protection rules | |
| Cross-border Remittance | Send/receive money internationally | โ
FEMA, RBI rules, Anti-Money Laundering | |
๐ฎ Gaming & Entertainment
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Fantasy Sports | Predict player stats and win prizes | โ
State-wise bans, skill vs chance | |
| Real-money Gaming | Bet real money in card/casino games | โ
Gambling laws, state restrictions | |
| Casual & Hyper-casual Games | Fun, addictive games with ads or in-app purchases | โ ๏ธ COPPA/child protection if kids involved | |
| Location-based Games | Use GPS for live games or rewards | โ
Data privacy, consent, DPDP Act | |
| GameFi & NFT Games | Earn crypto/NFTs while playing | โ
Crypto + gaming = high regulatory watch | |
| eSports Platforms | Host/stream gaming tournaments | โ ๏ธ Prize money, talent contracts, copyright | |
| Streaming Platforms | Stream movies, shows, or games | โ
Copyright, censorship, IT Rules compliance | |
๐ฑ Consumer Tech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Super Apps | One app for shopping, payments, and more | โ
Multi-vertical licensing, privacy | |
| Social Media | Build a community or communication platform | โ
IT Rules 2021, moderation, takedown rules | |
| Lifestyle Apps | Track habits, goals, fitness, etc. | โ ๏ธ Health claims, personal data protection | |
| Messaging Apps | Chat-based platforms like WhatsApp | โ
Encryption, traceability, data rules | |
| Dating Apps | Help users find romantic matches | โ
Age verification, safety, harassment policy | |
๐ฅ HealthTech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Telemedicine | Video-based doctor consultations | โ
MCI Guidelines, consent, Rx limits | |
| E-Pharmacy | Buy and deliver medicines online | โ
Drug license, online sale guidelines | |
| Mental Health Platforms | Counseling or therapy online | โ
Professional licensing, suicide risk alerts | |
| Fitness Devices & Wearables | Track physical activity, vitals etc. | โ
Medical device classification (CDSCO) | |
| Health Diagnostics | AI-based testing or disease prediction | โ
Health data protection, medical accuracy | |
| EMR & Health Records | Store and manage patient records | โ
HIPAA-like safeguards, storage compliance | |
๐ EdTech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Online Courses & MOOCs | Teach any subject through video or modules | โ ๏ธ Refund policy, content IP | |
| Test Prep | Help users crack exams like JEE, UPSC, GMAT etc. | โ ๏ธ Partner institutionsโ IP, score guarantee risk | |
| Language Learning | Learn regional or foreign languages online | โ ๏ธ Trademark/IP if using brand-names like TOEFL | |
| Kids Learning Apps | Games/courses for school kids | โ
DPDP + parental consent under 18 | |
| Tutoring Platforms | Connect teachers with students | โ
Background checks, payment terms | |
| College ERP Systems | Manage university data or admin workflows | โ
FERPA-like data rights, UGC compliance | |
| Career Guidance | Help students choose the right career | โ ๏ธ Must avoid misinformation; psych test liability | |
๐ ๏ธ SaaS (Software as a Service)
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| HR Tech | Tools for hiring, payroll, or performance | โ
Labour law compliance, salary data protection | |
| CRM & Sales Tools | Manage customer interactions and pipelines | โ ๏ธ Data access, third-party sync permissions | |
| Accounting SaaS | Manage invoices, GST, taxes | โ
Tax accuracy, CA approval, liability | |
| Project Management | Collaboration tools like Trello, Asana | โ ๏ธ Data residency, service availability SLAs | |
| Marketing Automation | Email, SMS, funnel, or ads automation | โ
Consent, anti-spam laws, data protection | |
| AI Writing Tools | AI-based content or code generators | โ
Plagiarism, IP risks, deepfake guidelines | |
| Customer Support Tools | Chatbots or ticketing systems | โ ๏ธ Data privacy, AI compliance if auto-response | |
๐๏ธ E-commerce & D2C
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Online Marketplace | Sell 3rd-party products to customers | โ
Marketplace regulation, consumer protection | |
| D2C Brands | Sell own brand directly to consumers | โ
Trademark, labeling, return policy | |
| Reseller Platforms | Enable users to resell products | โ
GST, counterfeit protection, commissions | |
| Social Commerce | Sell via social platforms (WhatsApp, Insta) | โ ๏ธ Influencer disclosure, refund handling | |
| Logistics & Shipping Tech | Power backend of e-commerce ops | โ
Contractual liability, return/reverse terms | |
๐ข B2B / Enterprise Tech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Procurement SaaS | Help businesses buy from verified vendors | โ
Commercial terms, KYC of vendors | |
| Workflow Automation | Replace manual office work with software | โ ๏ธ Job displacement clauses, third-party scripts | |
| Business Intelligence Tools | Visualize data for decision-making | โ ๏ธ Accuracy disclaimers, data security | |
| Developer APIs | Provide software services as an API | โ
API usage terms, uptime SLAs | |
| Cybersecurity SaaS | Protect businesses from digital threats | โ
Warranty & liability for breaches | |
| Data Analytics Platforms | Analyze user/business data for insights | โ
DPDP, anonymization, storage locations | |
๐ Mobility & Transportation
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Ride-Hailing | Cab and auto aggregators (like Uber) | โ
State transport laws, insurance, driver KYC | |
| EV Charging Solutions | Setup public/private EV charging infra | โ
DISCOM approval, safety standards | |
| Bike Rentals | Short-term two-wheeler leasing | โ
Traffic rules, insurance, damage clauses | |
| Logistics & Fleet Mgmt | Manage trucks, last-mile delivery | โ
Labour, cargo insurance, permits | |
| Drones for Delivery | Use drones to deliver items | โ
DGCA permissions, airspace laws | |
๐ PropTech (Real Estate Tech)
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Property Listing Sites | Help users buy/rent property | โ
RERA registration, broker licensing | |
| Co-living Platforms | Shared housing for students/professionals | โ
Rent agreement standardization, local law | |
| Real Estate Investments | Fractional or REIT-based investments | โ
SEBI/RBI regulation, title checks | |
| Smart Home Automation | IoT for home lighting, locks etc. | โ
Privacy for smart cameras/devices | |
๐ FoodTech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Online Food Delivery | Deliver restaurant food to users | โ
FSSAI, delivery partner rights | |
| Cloud Kitchens | Deliver food without dine-in outlets | โ
Location zoning, food safety | |
| Restaurant POS | Manage billing, orders, stock for restaurants | โ ๏ธ Data integration, pricing errors | |
| Food Subscription Apps | Curated meals weekly/monthly | โ
Refunds, allergens, delivery SLAs | |
๐ฑ Agritech & Rural
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Agri Marketplaces | Buy/sell seeds, crops, equipment | โ
APMC bypass risk, license for seeds | |
| Precision Farming | IoT or data-driven crop advice | โ
Accuracy liability, data collection consent | |
| Smart Irrigation | Remote irrigation via sensors | โ
Electricity safety, agri scheme compliance | |
| Farmer Credit & BNPL | Loans or finance to farmers | โ
NBFC license, recovery regulations | |
โก CleanTech & Energy
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Solar Tech Startups | Residential and industrial solar installation | โ
MNRE approvals, electricity board norms | |
| EV Battery Swapping | Swap drained batteries for charged ones | โ
Safety, recycling, urban transport rules | |
| Carbon Credit Platforms | Sell/earn carbon offsets | โ
Global treaties, ESG auditing | |
| Energy Monitoring Tools | Track usage in homes or industries | โ ๏ธ Data accuracy, B2B liability | |
๐งฌ Biotech & Life Sciences
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Genetic Testing | Offer DNA tests for ancestry or health | โ
ICMR & CDSCO regulations, consent, data sensitivity | |
| Drug Discovery Platforms | Use AI or data to discover new molecules | โ
IP ownership, clinical trial approvals | |
| Clinical Trial Tech | Digitize trial management and recruitment | โ
GCP compliance, ethics board approvals | |
| Bioinformatics | Software for genomic data analysis | โ ๏ธ Health data handling, research disclaimers | |
| Synthetic Biology | Create custom organisms/genes | โ
Biosafety laws, export/import control | |
| Lab Automation | Robotics or AI in life sciences labs | โ ๏ธ Safety compliance, quality certifications | |
๐ฐ๏ธ DeepTech / SpaceTech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Space Launch Services | Build or launch small satellites | โ
IN-SPACe license, ISRO contracts | |
| Aerospace Startups | Jet/space propulsion and aviation parts | โ
DGCA/DoD clearance, IP rights | |
| Quantum Computing | Commercial quantum processors/tools | โ ๏ธ Export control, national security laws | |
| Robotics & Drones | Advanced automation hardware | โ
Import regulation, safety testing | |
| IoT Hardware | Connected smart devices | โ
DPDP, BIS certification for electronics | |
โ๏ธ Travel & Hospitality
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Travel Booking Platforms | Book flights, hotels, or activities | โ
Refund policy, aggregator agreements | |
| Local Experience Apps | Book city tours, classes, guides | โ ๏ธ Vendor liability, safety disclaimers | |
| Hotel Aggregators | Offer hotel listings with filters | โ
Licensing, reviews/data use, hidden charges | |
| Visa & Immigration Startups | Help with visa filing and tracking | โ
Immigration law, fraud checks | |
| Trip Expense Split Apps | Manage group expenses while traveling | โ ๏ธ Money transfer, user dispute terms | |
๐ฆ Logistics & Supply Chain
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Freight Marketplaces | Book trucks or containers online | โ
Commercial transport licenses | |
| Supply Chain Finance | Short-term credit for suppliers | โ
NBFC approval, contract enforcement | |
| Warehouse Tech | Automate storage and fulfillment | โ ๏ธ Local labor law, SLAs with vendors | |
| Last Mile Optimization | Route and delivery efficiency tools | โ
Delivery T&Cs, liability in delays | |
| Cold Chain Logistics | Deliver perishables with temperature control | โ
Compliance with FSSAI, pharma transport norms | |
๐งโ๐ผ HR & Workforce
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Gig Platforms | Hire freelancers or delivery personnel | โ
Labor codes, PF/ESI, contractual clarity | |
| Freelancer Marketplaces | Connect clients and independent workers | โ
Payment terms, IP transfer on delivery | |
| Recruitment Portals | Job boards or AI hiring tools | โ
Nondiscrimination, employment law | |
| Payroll SaaS | Manage employee salaries, tax, benefits | โ
TDS, EPF compliance, payroll accuracy | |
| Employee Experience Tools | Culture, feedback, benefits apps | โ ๏ธ Privacy of reviews/scores, mental health data | |
๐งโ๐จ Design & Creator Economy
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Print-on-demand Startups | Sell custom merch, print after order | โ
IP of designs, consumer refunds | |
| Creator Monetization Tools | Help YouTubers, influencers earn | โ
Platform payout terms, taxation | |
| NFT Creator Tools | Mint or sell NFTs of art or video | โ
Blockchain use + copyright clarity | |
| Stock Assets Marketplaces | Sell templates, videos, photos | โ
License rights, takedown protocols | |
| Video & Podcast Editing SaaS | Edit content for creators via tools or AI | โ ๏ธ Deepfake misuse, IP claims on edited output | |
๐ก AI/ML & Big Data
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| NLP Startups | Language processing bots, assistants, tools | โ
Bias & misinformation policies | |
| Vision AI | Face detection, image recognition | โ
Consent, surveillance compliance | |
| Predictive Analytics | Forecast sales, churn, etc. | โ ๏ธ Accuracy risk, disclaimer requirements | |
| AutoML Platforms | DIY model training and deployment | โ ๏ธ IP of generated models, model misuse | |
| Data Labeling Tools | Annotate datasets for AI training | โ
Worker contracts, bias/fairness guarantees | |
๐๏ธ GovTech / CivicTech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| RTI & Legal Filing Tools | File RTI or PILs from platform | โ
Legal disclaimer, authority validation | |
| Complaint Redress Platforms | Lodge complaints with govt bodies | โ ๏ธ Privacy, accuracy of routing | |
| Compliance Tools | Automate company or tax filings | โ
CA validation, filing liability | |
| Digital ID Platforms | Manage ID, signature, verification | โ
Government data compliance, fraud protection | |
๐ฆ LegalTech
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| Online Legal Advice | Chat with lawyers or book consults | โ
Bar Council restrictions, verification | |
| Contract Management | Create, store and e-sign contracts | โ
eSign validity, contract enforcement | |
| IP Filing Platforms | Trademark, patent filing apps | โ
Government licensing, document accuracy | |
| Legal Research Tools | Case law search, analytics for lawyers | โ
Copyright of content, update reliability | |
| Court Case Tracking | Status alert or judgement feeds | โ
Real-time sync with courts, user alert terms | |
๐ง RegTech & Compliance
| Type | One-Liner | โ ๏ธ Legal Attention Needed | ๐ FAQ |
|---|
| KYC & AML Platforms | Validate users for finance companies | โ
RBI/SEBI norms, audit trails | |
| Tax Compliance Tools | File GST, TDS, income tax returns | โ
Accuracy, CA/ITR certification | |
| Regulatory Reporting | Help companies submit compliance reports | โ
SEBI/NBFC/FEMA guidelines | |
| Risk Scoring Engines | Rate risk of individuals or businesses | โ
Fair use, discrimination protection | |
| Whistleblower Platforms | Anonymous complaint channels | โ
Identity protection, legal admissibility | |