§1Ways to get started

  • GST, accounting and compliance practice for MSMEs
  • Architecture or engineering design studio
  • NABL-accredited testing lab (food, water, materials)
  • Branding, design or advertising agency

See the Business Encyclopedia

§2Hubs and clusters

  • All metros and state capitals - no official hub list used

§3Licences and registration

  1. Professional registration with the relevant council (Bar Council, ICAI, CoA)
  2. Firm registration (partnership, LLP or company); ICAI firm registration for CA firms
  3. NABL accreditation for testing labs (ISO/IEC 17025)
  4. GST registration; professional tax (state)
  5. Udyam Registration (MSME) - free, online, PAN + Aadhaar based
  6. GST registration (mandatory above turnover threshold or for inter-state supply / e-commerce sale)
  7. Shops & Establishment registration or Factory Licence (Factories Act / state rules) depending on size and power use
  8. Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the State Pollution Control Board - category (Red/Orange/Green/White) as per CPCB 2025 harmonised list; White category is exempt from consent
  9. IEC (Importer Exporter Code) from DGFT if you import or export

§4Regulators

  • Bar Council of India (advocates)
  • ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI (chartered/company/cost accountants)
  • Council of Architecture
  • NABL (testing and calibration lab accreditation)
  • ASCI (advertising standards)

§5Government help

  • Startup India recognition for tech-led consultancies and labs
  • MSME Testing Centres and Technology Centres - status not checked in this pass
  • Cross-sector schemes that also apply (detailed in the programmes file): Udyam benefits, PMEGP, PM Mudra Yojana, CGTMSE credit guarantee, Stand-Up India, MSE-CDP (cluster development), RAMP, MSME ZED and Lean certification, MSME Champions, TReDS, Startup India (SISFS seed fund, Fund of Funds, CGSS), RoDTEP, EPCG, Advance Authorisation, Districts as Export Hubs, ODOP (One District One Product)

All schemes

§6For exports

  • Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC)

§7Pros and cons

Merits

  • Very low capital; recurring compliance work
  • Export of services is GST zero-rated

Demerits

  • Needs qualified, registered professionals
  • Fee pressure and client concentration

Sources