Startup India / DPIIT Recognition
DPIIT recognition is the gateway to India's full startup ecosystem — 3-year tax holiday eligibility, 80% patent fee rebate, self-certification under labour & environment laws, and access to the ₹10,000 Cr Fund of Funds for Startups.
Why choose Openedze
What you get when our experts handle this end-to-end
3-year tax holiday eligibility
DPIIT-recognised startups can apply for 100% income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC for 3 consecutive years out of the first 10.
Patent fee rebate
80% rebate on patent filing fees and 50% rebate on trademark fees — significant savings for IP-heavy startups.
Fund of Funds access
Eligibility for investments through the ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), routed via SIDBI-empanelled Alternative Investment Funds.
Self-certification benefits
Self-certify compliance with 9 labour laws and 3 environment laws for 5 years — fewer inspections, lower compliance overhead.
Angel Tax exemption (Section 56)
Eligible startups can claim exemption from Section 56(2)(viib) — relief from the 'Angel Tax' on premium share investments.
Government tender preferences
Relaxation in prior turnover and experience requirements when bidding for public procurement tenders.
What we help with
Eligibility assessment
We confirm your startup meets DPIIT's age, structure, turnover, and innovation criteria before applying.
Application drafting
Description of the innovative product/service, problem solved, business model, and revenue plan — written for DPIIT reviewers.
Supporting documents
Incorporation certificate, PAN, patent / trademark (if any), pitch deck, product images, and turnover declaration.
DPIIT portal submission
Application submitted on the Startup India portal and tracked until recognition is granted.
80-IAC tax holiday application
Optional follow-up — we file the Section 80-IAC application with the Inter-Ministerial Board for tax exemption.
Section 56 Angel Tax exemption
Optional follow-up — we file the declaration under Form 2 for angel tax exemption on premium share allotments.
DPIIT — what it actually unlocks
Startup India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, with DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) as the recognising authority. DPIIT recognition is the entry ticket to most central-government startup benefits — but it's not a one-stop free pass.
Two layers exist: (1) DPIIT recognition itself — relatively quick, opens up self-certification, IP rebates, and tender preferences. (2) Downstream applications — Section 80-IAC tax holiday and Section 56 angel tax exemption each require a separate Inter-Ministerial Board approval that's significantly more selective.
Our role is to handle both layers — the recognition application end-to-end, plus the optional 80-IAC and Section 56 follow-ups when you're ready. We've helped 500+ startups secure DPIIT recognition with a clean first-time approval rate.
Eligibility & documents
DPIIT eligibility criteria
- Entity must be a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm
- Less than 10 years old from incorporation
- Annual turnover should not exceed ₹100 crore in any previous financial year
- Working on innovation, development, or improvement of products, services, or processes
- Or have a scalable business model with high potential for employment generation or wealth creation
- Not formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business
Documents we'll need
- Certificate of Incorporation / Registration
- PAN of the entity
- Brief description of the innovative product, service, or business model
- Pitch deck, product photos, or working prototype evidence
- Patent / Trademark / Copyright filings (if any)
- Funding details (if already received)
- List of directors / partners with KYC documents
- Latest financial statements (if available)
How Openedze helps
A clear, milestone-based path from kick-off to delivery
Eligibility review
We confirm you meet DPIIT criteria — age, structure, turnover, innovation lens.
Storytelling & drafting
Our team frames your startup's innovation narrative — clear, sharp, evaluator-ready.
DPIIT submission
Application filed on the Startup India portal with all supporting documents.
Recognition certificate
Recognition issued in 5–10 working days. We hand over the certificate and brief you on the benefits available.
Support journey
Discovery call
Day 0Eligibility check, innovation narrative scoping, document checklist shared.
Documents in
Day 1–3Documents collected; pitch / narrative reviewed.
DPIIT submission
Day 3–4Filed on the Startup India portal; application tracked.
Clarification (if any)
Day 4–8DPIIT may ask for clarifications — we respond on your behalf.
Recognition granted
Day 5–10Recognition certificate issued. Benefits brief and 80-IAC / Section 56 roadmap shared.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between DPIIT recognition and 80-IAC tax holiday?▾
DPIIT recognition is the basic entry ticket. The 80-IAC tax holiday is a separate, more selective approval by the Inter-Ministerial Board — granted to only a small percentage of recognised startups based on innovation merit. We help with both.
Can a proprietorship apply for DPIIT?▾
No. Only Private Limited, LLP, and Registered Partnership Firms are eligible. We help convert proprietorships to Pvt Ltd or LLP first if needed.
What counts as 'innovation'?▾
DPIIT looks for novelty in the product, service, business model, or process. It doesn't have to be deep-tech — a novel go-to-market, distribution innovation, or platform model also qualifies. We help frame your case.
Does DPIIT recognition guarantee funding?▾
No. Recognition makes you eligible to receive funding from SIDBI-empanelled AIFs (which manage the Fund of Funds), but the AIFs make their own investment decisions. Recognition is necessary but not sufficient.
Can I lose DPIIT recognition?▾
Yes. If you stop meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., turnover crosses ₹100 Cr, or you cross the 10-year mark), recognition lapses. We track these milestones for client startups.
Get your DPIIT recognition
The single most important compliance step for any Indian startup. Talk to our team and get recognition in 5–10 days.