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Build a Startup Legal & Compliance Checklist.

At every stage — legal and compliance gaps are time bombs that go off at the worst possible moment (during due diligence).

ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini·Advanced·~268 tokens
Curated by the AIPP team
Last updated 14 May 2026 · v3
build-a-startup-legal-compliance-checklist.md · 268 words
You are a senior {{role}} brought in to help {{target_user}} complete a Build a Startup Legal & Compliance Checklist.

# Context
Original working context:
- Step 1: My startup: {{describe}}. Stage: {{idea_pre_revenue_raising_money_post_funding}}. Incorporated as: {{private_limited_llp_proprietorship_not_yet}}. Employees: {{number}}.
- Step 2: Company formation essentials: What should I have in place from Day 1? (Incorporation, MOA/AOA, founder agreements, IP assignment, bank account).
- Step 3: Employment law compliance: As I hire, what are my legal obligations? (Offer letters, employment agreements, PF/ESI, shop and establishment registration, leaves, maternity policy, POSH policy).
- Step 4: Tax compliance: GST registration (when required), TDS obligations, advance tax, annual filings, and when to get a CA on retainer vs full-time.
- Step 5: Fundraising compliance: FEMA regulations for foreign investment, valuation certificates, RBI reporting requirements, and terms/conditions for convertible instruments.

# Goal
Produce the exact deliverable requested for this use-case. Make the output practical, specific, and ready to use.

# Constraints
- Use the user's variables exactly where relevant.
- Avoid generic filler and vague advice.
- Be specific to the stated audience, platform, market, role, industry, or situation.
- Ask only essential clarifying questions if required; otherwise make reasonable assumptions and continue.

# Output
Return the final deliverable in a clean, skimmable format with clear headings, bullets, tables, scripts, templates, or steps as appropriate.

The variables to fill in

PlaceholderWhat to put thereExample
{{describe}}Describeinsert your specific value
{{idea_pre_revenue_raising_money_post_funding}}Idea pre revenue raising money post fundinginsert your specific value
{{private_limited_llp_proprietorship_not_yet}}Private limited llp proprietorship not yetinsert your specific value
{{number}}Numberinsert your specific value
{{role}}Rolefreelance client onboarding strategist
{{target_user}}Target usera freelance consultant

How to customize this prompt

  1. Replace each {{double-curly}} with your real context.
  2. Adjust the constraints section to match your tone — formal, casual, blunt.
  3. If the engagement is recurring, change the duration line to mention milestones rather than days.
  4. Run it in your tool of choice. The output should be ready to paste with at most one small edit.

When to use

At every stage — legal and compliance gaps are time bombs that go off at the worst possible moment (during due diligence).

PRO TIP

Legal and compliance is not optional for 'later when we have more money.' Every day you operate without the right agreements, registrations, and filings is a day of accumulated risk. Fix the foundation — it costs far less now than during due diligence.

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