Empowering Start-ups with Legal Expertise Across India and Beyond

Starting a business is a bold step, and having the right legal partner by your side can make all the difference. At Esplora Legal, we are more than just a law firm—we are trusted advisors to start-ups navigating the complexities of India’s legal and regulatory environment. With deep-rooted expertise in corporate law, investment structuring, IP protection, and compliance, we help early-stage businesses grow with confidence.

Esplora Legal was established with the vision to provide world-class legal support to companies of all sizes. Since our founding in 2019, we have served over 200 clients across diverse industries, helping them scale, secure funding, protect their assets, and stay compliant with Indian and international regulations.

Our India Desk is led by seasoned legal professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by start-ups in India’s fast-paced business landscape. Whether you are a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned founder launching a new venture, our tailored legal solutions are designed to support your growth journey.

Why Choose Esplora Legal as Your Start-up Law Firm in India

Choosing the right legal partner early on is critical for your company’s success. Esplora Legal offers a strategic mix of legal acumen, business insight, and cross-border experience that is rare among traditional firms.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Proven expertise in Indian start-up laws, regulatory frameworks, and corporate governance.
• Dedicated start-up support desk, offering cost-effective legal solutions for early-stage businesses.
• Hands-on experience with company incorporation, investment term sheets, shareholder agreements, IP filings, data privacy, and employment law.
• Personalized legal advice with global reach—offices in India, China, and Central Asia.
• Practical and responsive legal counsel focused on delivering results, not just legal opinions.

Ready to take the next step for your start-up? Speak to our legal experts today and get tailored advice to protect and grow your business from day one.

Our Legal Services for Start-ups in India

Esplora Legal offers a full suite of legal services tailored specifically for Indian start-ups, from formation to funding to compliance.

Our key offerings include:

• Company Formation and Structuring
  • Guidance on the right entity structure (private limited, LLP, etc.)
  • Drafting incorporation documents and shareholder agreements
  • Assistance with Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) filings
• Funding and Investment Agreements
  • Drafting and reviewing investment term sheets and shareholder agreements
  • Support during angel, seed and subsequent funding rounds
  • Regulatory advisory on FEMA, RBI, SEBI, and FDI compliance
• Intellectual Property (IP) Protection
  • Trademark, copyright, and patent registration
  • IP licensing and assignment agreements
  • Strategies to safeguard brand and technology assets
• Employment and HR Law Compliance
  • Employment contracts and HR policies
  • Advisory on ESOPs, compensation structuring, and labour law obligations
  • Support in handling employee disputes and exits
• Commercial Contracts and Vendor Agreements
  • Drafting client, vendor, service-level, and distribution agreements
  • Review and negotiation support for key business contracts
  • Risk allocation and dispute prevention mechanisms
• Data Protection and Privacy
  • Compliance with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act
  • Drafting privacy policies and internal data governance frameworks
  • Cross-border data transfer compliance
• Ongoing Regulatory Compliance
  • Assistance with ROC filings, tax registrations, and secretarial compliance
  • Advisory on compliance with startup schemes and DPIIT recognition
  • Risk audits and corporate governance review

Our Track Record with Indian Start-ups

Over the past five years, we have worked closely with start-ups in sectors including fintech, healthtech, edtech, logistics, AI, SaaS, and D2C. Our clients range from solo founders to rapidly scaling Series A and B companies. We have advised on cross-border deals, IP licensing arrangements, and venture funding transactions.

Our practical, business-oriented approach ensures that start-up founders can focus on growth, while we handle the legal complexities with precision and foresight.

Serving Start-ups Across India and Beyond

With a strong presence in Bengaluru and active support capabilities in Mumbai and Delhi NCR, Esplora Legal is strategically positioned to serve India’s major start-up ecosystems. Our international reach through offices in Shanghai, Astana, and Tashkent makes us uniquely qualified to support Indian start-ups with global ambitions.

Whether you are setting up a new venture in India or expanding to new markets, our cross-border expertise helps you stay legally secure in multiple jurisdictions.

About Esplora Legal

Esplora Legal is a full-service international law firm with offices in India, China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and network partners across geographies. Founded in 2019, our firm combines global standards with local insights to deliver practical legal solutions across corporate, finance, infrastructure, taxation, and dispute resolution. We are trusted by companies ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations for our responsive, business-focused legal counsel.

Meet Our Experts

Divya Hazra

Divya Hazra is an international corporate lawyer with over 10 years of experience, currently based between Mumbai and Shanghai. Having worked across three jurisdictions—India, the United States, and China—she specializes in advising large and medium-sized corporations and private equity funds on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

She has significant expertise in structuring and executing transactions under India’s Press Note 3 (PN3) regime, including sensitive cross-border investments and joint ventures involving Chinese parties. Divya regularly advises Indian Fortune 500 companies on their M&A transactions in China, as well as Indian listed companies in the automotive sector on licensing Chinese technology and forming strategic joint ventures. In addition, she advises European and U.S. clients on M&A and joint ventures in India, helping them navigate India’s regulatory and commercial landscape.

Divya holds an LL.B. from Government Law College, Mumbai and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School, New York. She is admitted to practice law in India and New York, and combines her multi-jurisdictional legal training with on-the-ground experience in China to guide clients through regulatory, commercial, and cultural complexities in cross-border deals.

Sampriti Sridhar

Sampriti Sridhar is a corporate lawyer based in Bengaluru, India. With 12 years of specialized experience in venture capital, private equity, and corporate transactions, she advises domestic and international clients on mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, joint ventures, and corporate governance. She has previously worked at some of India’s leading law firms including AZB & Partners and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and has also served as a Legal Counsel at Lake Shore India Retail Venture Fund, Mumbai. Sampriti is admitted to practice law in India and holds legal education from School of Excellence in Law, Chennai and Columbia Law School, New York.

Meet the team