Why Your Cap Table Looks Clean But Isn’t
Key Takeaways A cap table that reconciles in Excel is not the same as a cap table that survives due diligence. Six structural issues commonly hide inside what founders describe as "clean". The most expensive…
Delaware Flip vs Reverse Flip: The Tax Math Nobody Does
Key Takeaways A Delaware Flip moves the parent company to the US. A Reverse Flip moves it back to India. The Delaware Flip triggers Indian capital gains tax at an effective rate of about 14.95…
ESOP Taxation for Indian Startups: Complete 2026 Guide
Key Takeaways ESOPs in India are not taxed at the time of grant. The tax event happens later. At exercise, the difference between Fair Market Value (FMV) and exercise price is taxed as perquisite (salary…
5 Things That Go Wrong When Indian Startups Expand Abroad
Expanding abroad is exciting. But for most Indian startups, it also comes with a compliance minefield that nobody warns you about. We put together a visual guide covering the 5 most common things that go…
Startup Valuation Methods: What Indian Founders Need to Know
Your valuation determines how much equity you give away. A Rs 10 Cr pre-money vs Rs 15 Cr pre-money means 10% vs 6.67% dilution on a Rs 1 Cr raise. That 3.33% difference compounds at…
How to Structure a US Subsidiary from India (Without Getting FEMA Wrong)
Every week, at least one founder asks me: "I want to set up a US entity. How do I do it?" The answer is not "just incorporate in Delaware." The answer starts with understanding which…
The Due Diligence Data Room Checklist for Series A
"Can you share your data room?" This is the first thing every serious investor says after the pitch. And most founders scramble. After reviewing 40+ data rooms in the last year, one pattern is clear:…
The Startup Founder’s March 31 Compliance Checklist: 10 Deadlines You Cannot Miss
March 31 is the most consequential date on every Indian startup's compliance calendar. Miss a deadline, and you're looking at penalties, interest, and questions from investors during due diligence. This checklist covers the 10 most…
ESOP Benchmarks 2026: How Much Equity Are Indian Startups Giving?
"How much equity should I give my CTO?" This is the single most common question founders ask us at A S Banka Advisors Private Limited. After structuring ESOP plans for 50+ Indian startups, we compiled…
The Startup Cap Table Guide: From Founding to Series A
Your cap table is the single most important financial document in your startup. It determines who owns what, how much you dilute at each round, and whether your company passes due diligence when you actually…