The wrong missing licence can stall a launch or block an import. Here are the registrations Indian startups most often overlook, and who needs them.

Incorporation gets the attention, but licences are what actually let you operate. Which ones you need depends on your industry, and getting caught without one can be expensive. Here are the big ones to check.

The licences founders forget

  • FSSAI, mandatory for any business handling food
  • Import Export Code (IEC), required to import or export
  • ISO certification, builds credibility and wins contracts
  • Trade licence, needed to operate in many municipalities
  • PF & ESI, mandatory once you cross employee thresholds

Match licences to your plans

The mistake we see most often is applying for the wrong thing, or missing something entirely. The right approach is to map licences against your specific industry and growth plans before you launch, not after.

Get it right once

Because licence requirements shift with turnover, headcount and activity, it pays to review them periodically. A short check now can save a stalled launch or a penalty later.