First of its kind in India
Delaware C-Corps

Delaware C-Corps for
Indian resident founders

Incorporating from India means:

FEMA compliance

ODI filings

LLP structuring

India-specific documents

Inkle Incorporate is the only end-to-end assisted incorporation experience for Indian founders.

Why Inkle Incorporate

Purpose-built for Indian FEMA-resident founders

Every template, workflow, and document has been built or modified for India-specific compliance.

India-specific templates

Stock purchase agreements, board consents, and equity documents modified for FEMA residents.

Hands-on ODI support

Form ODI preparation, AD Bank Co-ordination, and RBI report - not afterthought

FEMA compliance baked-in

FEMA considerations built in — so nothing needs to be fixed later.

LLP + subsidiary setup

Guides you through Indian LLP creation, US entity formation, and subsidiary setup.

Structure-aware flows

Choose India TopCo or US TopCo and the platform adapts the templates and steps.

Post-Incorporation filings

BE-13, stock agreements to RBI within 60 days, year-round US tax and compliance

How it works

Choose your structure, we handle the rest

Indian FEMA-resident founders start by choosing their corporate structure.
All US incorporation and legal documentation steps use Clerky products. Inkle has figured out how to use them for India-based founders — adding FEMA-compliant templates, India-specific workflows, and regulatory compliance on top.
India LLP
US Parent
India Subsidiary

US TopCo (India subsidiary)

The classic triangle structure for Indian founders raising from global investors.
Inkle Incorporate guides you through every step. From Indian LLP creation through 
post-issuance compliance. Here's the full journey.
01

Create India LLP(s)

All Indian FEMA-resident founders must create their Indian LLP and open the LLP's bank account.

Timeline: ~2-3 weeks
Off - Inkle Incorporate
Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
02

Prepare ODI filing

Prepare draft ODI documentation and seek preliminary approval from the LLP's banker. After approval, begin US incorporation.

Off - Inkle Incorporate
Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
03

US incorporation

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File the Certificate of Incorporation for your Delaware C-Corp.

04

Post-incorporation setup

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Adopt bylaws, appoint directors and officers.

05

EIN application

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Apply for your Employer Identification Number. A few minutes (SSN) or 4-6 weeks (fax flow).

06

Set up US banking

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Pre-filled information from your legal paperwork. Can begin once EIN is submitted.

07

Issue founder stock

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Issue stock to founders or their Indian LLPs. Uses India-specific SPA templates.

Important for FEMA residents: Do not release signatures from escrow until final ODI approval. LLP must make ODI payment via SWIFT after RBI approval.
08

Post-Issuance Compliance

83(b) election filing

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File within 30 days of stock issuance. Locks in tax basis at grant-date value.

+$149 per founderFiled via Clerky's Managed 83(b) Elections
09

File BE-13 COE with US Treasury

On Inkle platform

Must be done within 45 days of stock issuance. Filed directly on the Inkle platform.

10

Provide stock agreements to RBI

Must be done within 60 days of stock issuance.

Off - Inkle Incorporate
Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
11

US stock plan adoption

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Adopt and allocate shares to a company stock plan for future equity awards.

12

Indian subsidiary formation

Form an Indian subsidiary to do business and hire employees in India.

Off - Inkle Incorporate
Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
India Parent
US Subsidiary

India TopCo (US subsidiary)

Coming soon
For founders who want to keep India as the parent entity with a US subsidiary.
This structure is best for bootstrapped founders or those raising primarily from Indian investors. Inkle Incorporate will guide you through the full process.
01

Incorporate India Pvt. Ltd.

Skip if you already have an existing India entity.

Off - Inkle Incorporate
Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
02

Start ODI approval process

Begin ODI approval work. Once banker gives go-ahead, start US incorporation.

Off - Inkle Incorporate
Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
03

US subsidiary incorporation

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File Certificate of Incorporation as a subsidiary of your Indian parent.

04

Post-incorporation setup

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Set up as subsidiary. Adopt bylaws, appoint directors.

05

EIN application

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Apply for your Employer Identification Number.

06

Set up US banking

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Pre-filled from your legal paperwork.

How we work with you

Inkle joins your account as a team member

You don't navigate the incorporation process alone.

Inkle comes onboard as a member on your account and takes you through every step.

We join your account

Inkle gets added as a team member. No extra software, no separate logins.

We handle the heavy lifting

From filing your Certificate of Incorporation to completing the post-incorporation setup - we are with you throughout.

You stay in control

Full visibility into every document. Review, approve, and sign

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

One package. Everything included.

No per-document fees or surprise charges.

Inkle Incorporate Icon
India-ready

$999

one-time
Full incorporation + India compliance
Attorney-quality docs
Assisted experience
Book a call
Formation & Legal Docs
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Delaware C-Corp formation
Certificate of Incorporation & By-laws
Board resolutions & officer appointments
India-specific stock purchase agreements
Equity incentive plan setup
FEMA-compliant document templates
EIN, Banking & Perks
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EIN application (faster — direct IRS filing)
US bank account setup (Mercury, Relay, Brex & more)
Partner ecosystem perks
Post Formation
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Managed 83(b) election filing
+$149/ founder
Company Lifetime Package
Post Formation
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SAFE & fundraising document sets
Option grants & equity docs
Board consents & resolutions
Fundraising documents

Why Inkle Incorporate

First incorporation platform built for India

Handles FEMA, ODI, India-specific equity docs, and the full LLP-to-subsidiary structure — all in one place.

No hidden costs

Certificate of Incorporation to equity plans to FEMA-compliant SPAs — all included.

Saves you $3,000-5,000+ in legal fees

Indian founders typically spend $3-5K separately on lawyers for FEMA compliance.

Full lifecycle coverage

SAFEs, option grants, board consents, fundraising docs — all available as you grow via Clerky's Company Lifetime Package.

India-Side Costs

via Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
LLP formation
₹15K / LLP
ODI process
₹40K / LLP
Pvt Ltd formation
₹30K
FDI reporting
₹10K
Typical single-founder total
~₹95K
Govt charges, Bank charges and Notarisation charges are separate
Inkle Incorporate Icon
India-ready

$999

one-time
Full incorporation + India compliance
Attorney-quality docs
Assisted experience
Formation & Legal Docs
Powered by
Delaware C-Corp formation
Certificate of Incorporation & By-laws
Board resolutions & officer appointments
India-specific stock purchase agreements
Equity incentive plan setup
FEMA-compliant document templates
EIN, Banking & Perks
Powered by
EIN application (faster — direct IRS filing)
US bank account setup (Mercury, Relay, Brex & more)
Partner ecosystem perks
Post Formation
Powered by
Managed 83(b) election filing
+$149/ founder
Company Lifetime Package
Post Formation
Powered by
SAFE & fundraising document sets
Option grants & equity docs
Board consents & resolutions
Fundraising documents

Why Inkle Incorporate

First incorporation platform built for India

Handles FEMA, ODI, India-specific equity docs, and the full LLP-to-subsidiary structure — all in one place.

No hidden costs

Certificate of Incorporation to equity plans to FEMA-compliant SPAs — all included.

Saves you $3,000-5,000+ in legal fees

Indian founders typically spend $3-5K separately on lawyers for FEMA compliance.

Full lifecycle coverage

SAFEs, option grants, board consents, fundraising docs — all available as you grow via Clerky's Company Lifetime Package.

India-Side Costs

via Inkle's partner CA/CS firm
LLP formation
₹15K / LLP
ODI process
₹40K / LLP
Pvt Ltd formation
₹30K
FDI reporting
₹10K
Typical single-founder total
~₹95K
*Govt charges, Bank charges and Notarisation charges are separate

Ready to simplify your incorporation journey? Try Inkle Incorporate now!

Resources

Learn before you incorporate

Foundational guides for every founder setting up a US entity.

How long does it take to form a company on Inkle Incorporate?
Timeline to create a company on Inkle Incorporate
Read guide
Will my US company be eligible for accelerator programs like YC or Techstars?
Yes—Inkle helps you set up a Delaware C-Corp with all the right documents, making your company eligible for top accelerators like YC and Techstars.
Read guide
Can I issue equity to Indian founders or employees from my US entity?
Yes, you can issue ESOPs to India-based employees through your US entity, but regulatory filings, remittance rules, and tax compliance are required on both sides.
Read guide
Do I need to get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)?
An ITIN is usually not needed—your company’s EIN is enough for US tax and banking requirements.
Read guide
Do I require legal oversight in this process? Do you have recommended law firms to use?
Most founders don’t need a lawyer, but we can connect you with expert legal partners for complex or customized setups.
Read guide
What is a Delaware C-Corp and why is it the preferred structure for startups?
Why this structure is preferred by founders, investors & more!
Read guide
FAQs

What founders ask before incorporating

Do I need to create my India LLP before starting?

Yes, if choosing the US TopCo - India subsidiary structure. All FEMA-resident founders must create their LLP and open the bank account first. ~2-3 weeks.

What's the difference between India TopCo and US TopCo?

India TopCo = Indian parent with US subsidiary. US TopCo = US parent with an Indian Pvt. Ltd. subsidiary. US TopCo is best for global fundraising.

How long does the full process take?

LLP: 2-3 weeks, ODI in parallel, US incorporation: 1-2 days, India Pvt. Ltd.: 2-3 weeks. Total: ~4-8 weeks.

What's included in $999?

Everything: C-Corp formation, bylaws, EIN and Bank account setup, India-specific SPAs, Clerky's Company Lifetime Package, which includes Equity Docs, SAFE Docs, NDAs, and much more. Managed 83(b) elections by Clerky, at $149/founder.

Why do I need an Indian Pvt. Ltd. subsidiary?

Under the US TopCo structure, an Indian Pvt. Ltd. subsidiary is required to onboard employees in India, and give them ESOPs. It also negates the Permanent Establishment (PE) risk, which arises once significant operations are taking place in India, along with management presence.

What's the BE-13 form?

Filed with US Treasury within 45 days of stock issuance when a foreign person acquires a US business.