Treelife Resources

India’s startup ecosystem has entered a golden era  and equity compensation sits at the heart of it. Whether you are a first-time founder figuring out how to build your ESOP pool, an HR leader benchmarking your company’s equity offering against peers, or an employee who just received a stock option…

Why 9 in 10 listed companies are family-controlled  and why fewer than 2 in 3 have a plan to stay that way. A framework-first guide for founders, promoters, and second-generation leaders navigating ownership, governance, and generational transition. 9 in 10Indian listed companies are family-owned or controlled63%of family businesses have any…

From Messy Books to Term Sheet A deep-dive for seed-stage founders preparing for their first institutional raise. This report covers the financial infrastructure, investor-grade systems, and strategic frameworks that separate startups that close Series A in 4 months from those that take longer time. Section 1: The Series A Gap …

India’s wealth is no longer just stored in family businesses and fixed deposits. By 2026, over 300 family offices will manage more than $30 billion across India  and the number is rising fast. This guide cuts through the noise: what a family office actually does, how to set one up…

The Medikabazaar Collapse: A Governance Case Study for Every Funded Founder 1. THE CLAUSE NOBODY READS UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE Every SHA signed during a fundraising round contains a representations and warranties section. Founders sign it. Almost none of them read it carefully. This section contains contractual statements of fact…

India’s startup ecosystem has entered a golden era  and equity compensation sits at the heart of it. Whether you are a first-time founder figuring out how to build your ESOP pool, an HR leader benchmarking your company’s equity offering against peers, or an employee who just received a stock option…

Why 9 in 10 listed companies are family-controlled  and why fewer than 2 in 3 have a plan to stay that way. A framework-first guide for founders, promoters, and second-generation leaders navigating ownership, governance, and generational transition. 9 in 10Indian listed companies are family-owned or controlled63%of family businesses have any…

India’s wealth is no longer just stored in family businesses and fixed deposits. By 2026, over 300 family offices will manage more than $30 billion across India  and the number is rising fast. This guide cuts through the noise: what a family office actually does, how to set one up…

What is Angel Tax? The angel tax, introduced by Section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, applies to unlisted companies (startups whose shares are not publicly traded) that receive funding exceeding the Fair Market Value (FMV) determined by the government. This excess investment is considered “income from other sources”…

What You Actually Need to Know Before Selling, Merging or Taking Strategic Capital Four Things Every Founder Must Know Right Now 1.  Budget 2026 fixed buyback taxation. Minority shareholders (holding < 10%) now pay capital gains on buyback proceeds 12.5% if long-term instead of punishing slab rates of up to…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently announced a major overhaul to the regulatory framework for Angel Funds under the Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) Regulations, 2012. This new framework, introduced in 2025, aims to enhance transparency, improve operational clarity, and encourage investor participation. In this article, we’ll explore…

In a significant move to invigorate India’s startup ecosystem, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), during its board meeting on June 19, 2025, approved substantial changes to the Angel Fund Framework. These revisions are designed to unlock more capital for early-stage companies while simultaneously ensuring enhanced investor suitability…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially unveiled revised certification requirements for key investment personnel of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managers. This crucial update, detailed in SEBI circular F. No. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2025/249 dated June 25, 2025, aims to enhance professional standards and ensure a higher level of expertise…

In a significant stride towards enhancing the appeal and accessibility of India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has approved a groundbreaking “Platform Play” model for Fund Management Entities (FMEs). This pivotal decision was made during the 24th IFSCA Authority Meeting…

In a significant move set to bolster the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) ecosystem, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued Notification No. 67/2025 on June 20, 2025. This notification, effective from July 1, 2025, exempts certain payments made by mainland entities to eligible units in GIFT City…