Initiative · Entrepreneurship
The legal side of running a business, before it becomes a problem
Lawyers, company secretaries, chartered accountants, compliance professionals and experienced entrepreneurs, in practical conversations about the responsibilities that come with running a business.
Explore this page7 sections
Many founders meet a legal requirement for the first time when something has already gone wrong.
A contract dispute. A delayed filing. An employee issue, a tax notice, a customer conflict, a disagreement with a partner. The requirement was always there — it simply went unnoticed until it cost something.
Running a business creates responsibilities towards customers, employees, vendors, partners and government authorities, and over intellectual property, data, payments, contracts, taxes and corporate filings. A founder does not need to become a lawyer. A founder does need to know what to be aware of, when to get professional advice, and what should never be ignored.
Who this is for
- Entrepreneurs and business owners
- Founders of proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs and companies
- Small and medium businesses without in-house legal support
- Anyone about to sign, hire, partner or raise money
The Legal Health Check
- Correct business registration
- Written customer agreements
- Vendor agreements
- Employee documentation
- Payment terms
- Trademark protection
- Privacy policy
- Website terms
- Compliance calendar
- Proper invoice documentation
- Required licences
- Professional legal, CA or CS support where it is needed
What GullyFuture does, and what it does not
GullyFuture does not provide legal representation or individual legal advice, and nothing in a session is a substitute for it. These sessions exist so entrepreneurs can understand the concepts, ask practical questions, recognise risks earlier, and know when a specialist is genuinely needed. Where a topic requires sector knowledge, we bring a domain specialist.
Sessions you can pick from
Each has a page describing what it covers and how it runs. Run one, or several across a term.
Contracts Every Small Business Should HaveThe agreements that decide who pays when something goes wrong.See the sessionThe Legal Basics Every Entrepreneur Should KnowThe responsibilities that come with running a business, before one of them becomes a problem.See the sessionGST and Compliance Awareness for Business OwnersWhat you are responsible for, and what your accountant needs from you.See the sessionHow to Protect Yourself from Customer Payment ProblemsThe terms, records and habits that make late and unpaid invoices less likely, and easier to recover.See the sessionLegal Mistakes Growing Businesses Commonly MakeThe avoidable gaps that appear when a business grows faster than its paperwork.See the sessionFounder Agreements: Before You Start a Business TogetherThe conversations to have, and put in writing, while everyone is still friends.See the sessionTrademark, Copyright & IP for EntrepreneursProtecting what your business is known by and what it creates.See the sessionEmployment Law Basics for Business OwnersWhat a small employer in India should know about hiring, paying and parting with people.See the sessionThe New Labour Codes: What a Small Employer Should KnowWhat changed, what to check for your own business, and what is still being worked out.See the sessionLegal Basics Before Raising InvestmentWhat to have in order, and what to understand, before you take anybody's money for a share of the business.See the sessionProtecting Your Business When Working With VendorsChoosing, contracting with and paying suppliers so that one bad delivery does not become a crisis.See the sessionWebsite, Privacy & Digital Compliance for BusinessesWhat a small business should have on its website, how it handles visitors' data, and what is coming.See the sessionThe DPDP Act and Rules: What Small Businesses Should Prepare ForIndia's data protection law, what is already in force, what is phased and what a small business can start doing.See the sessionDelayed Payments to MSMEs: Udyam, the 45-Day Rule and MSME SamadhaanWhat the law says about paying and being paid by micro and small enterprises, and where a claim is filed today.See the sessionGST Rate Changes Since September 2025: What to Check in Your BillingMaking sure the rate on your invoices, price lists and software matches what the law now says.See the sessionWhat Should You Do When a Customer Doesn't Pay?A calm order of steps after the due date has passed, and knowing when to stop.See the sessionLegal Health Check for Your BusinessA structured, one-page review of where your business stands, and what to take to a professional.See the session
Everything this covers
167 topics across 14 areas. 9 apply to almost any business; the rest only in a particular case.
Starting & Structuring a Business11 topics
- Sole Proprietorship vs Partnership vs LLP vs Private Limited Company
- How to Choose the Right Business Structure
- When Should a Proprietorship Become a Company?
- Understanding Founder & Promoter Responsibilities
- Basic Company Incorporation Awareness
- Udyam Registration for Micro and Small Businesses
- Partnership Agreements
- Founder Agreements
- Understanding Shareholding
- Adding a Co-Founder or Partner
- What Happens When a Partner Wants to Leave?
Contracts & Agreements14 topics
- Why Every Business Needs Written Agreements
- Understanding the Basics of a Business Contract
- Customer Agreements
- Vendor Agreements
- Service Agreements
- Partnership Agreements
- Employment Agreements
- Non-Disclosure Agreements
- Terms of Service
- Payment Terms in Contracts
- Limitation of Liability
- Termination Clauses
- Common Contract Mistakes Small Businesses Make
- When Should You Ask a Lawyer to Review a Contract?
Customer & Payment Protection12 topics
- How to Protect Your Business Against Delayed Payments
- Writing Better Payment Terms
- Advance Payments vs Credit
- Purchase Orders and Work Orders
- What Documentation Should Exist Before Starting Work?
- Handling Customer Disputes
- What to Do When a Customer Does Not Pay
- Understanding Legal Notices
- The 45-Day Rule for Micro and Small Suppliers: MSMED Act and Section 43B(h)
- Udyam Registration and MSME Samadhaan for Delayed Payments
- Maintaining Evidence of Business Transactions
- Avoiding Verbal-Agreement Problems
Employment & HR Compliance14 topics
- What Should Be in an Employment Offer?
- Employment Agreements
- Employee Documentation
- Salary & Payroll Compliance Awareness
- The New Labour Codes: What Changes for a Small Employer
- Employee Leave & Policies
- Workplace Conduct
- Performance Documentation
- Employee Termination Awareness
- Consultant vs Employee
- Freelancer Agreements
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment Awareness
- Employee Confidentiality
- Protecting Business Information When Employees Leave
GST & Tax Compliance AwarenessAwareness-oriented, with qualified professionals involved where the detail matters. Rates, thresholds and deadlines change often, so figures for your business come from your CA or the official portal.14 topics
- GST Basics for Business Owners
- When GST Registration May Be Required
- Understanding GST Invoices
- Input Tax Credit Basics
- Common GST Mistakes
- GST Rate Changes Since September 2025: What to Check
- E-Invoicing: Does It Apply to You?
- Year-End Check on Dues to Micro and Small Suppliers
- The Income-tax Act, 2025: What Changed for Small Businesses
- TDS Awareness
- Income Tax Responsibilities for Businesses
- Maintaining Proper Financial Records
- Working With a CA Effectively
- Compliance Calendars for Entrepreneurs
Intellectual PropertyProtecting what your business creates.12 topics
- Trademark Basics
- When Should You Register a Trademark?
- Protecting Your Brand Name
- Logo & Brand Ownership
- Copyright Basics
- Patent Awareness
- Trade Secrets
- Protecting Software & Digital Products
- Intellectual Property in Employee Agreements
- Intellectual Property in Vendor Agreements
- Domain Name & Brand Disputes
- What to Check Before Choosing a Business Name
Vendor & Supplier Legal Awareness10 topics
- Vendor Agreements
- Purchase Orders
- Payment Terms
- Delivery Conditions
- Quality Requirements
- Service-Level Agreements
- Confidentiality
- Vendor Disputes
- Supplier Dependency
- Protecting Yourself When a Vendor Fails to Deliver
Partnership & Collaboration AgreementsFor businesses growing through partners rather than only direct sales.12 topics
- Referral Agreements
- Channel Partner Agreements
- Dealer Agreements
- Distributor Agreements
- Franchise Agreements
- Joint Ventures
- Revenue-Sharing Agreements
- Strategic Partnerships
- Commission Agreements
- Defining Roles & Responsibilities
- Exit Clauses
- Avoiding Partnership Disputes
Business DisputesWhat to do before a disagreement becomes a major problem.12 topics
- Preventing Business Disputes
- Documenting Agreements
- Handling Customer Disputes
- Vendor Disputes
- Employee Disputes
- Partner Disputes
- Responding to Legal Notices
- Negotiation & Settlement
- Mediation
- Arbitration Awareness
- Litigation Awareness
- When You Need a Lawyer
Company & ROC ComplianceIf it appliesFor companies and LLPs.10 topics
- Understanding Annual Compliance
- ROC Filing Awareness
- Director Responsibilities
- Maintaining Statutory Records
- Board Resolutions
- Changes in Directors
- Changes in Shareholding
- Registered Office Requirements
- Annual Returns
- Working With a Company Secretary
Data Privacy & Digital ComplianceIf it appliesFor businesses collecting customer data.13 topics
- What Customer Data Are You Collecting?
- Data Privacy Basics for Businesses
- The DPDP Act and Rules: What Applies, and When
- Privacy Policies
- Website Terms & Conditions
- Cookie Awareness
- Protecting Customer Information
- Employee Access to Customer Data
- Data Breach Awareness
- Digital Consent
- Using Customer Data for Marketing
- AI & Data Privacy
- Cybersecurity Responsibilities for Business Owners
E-Commerce & Online BusinessIf it appliesFor businesses selling online.12 topics
- Legal Basics for Selling Online
- Website Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Refund & Cancellation Policy
- Shipping & Delivery Terms
- Consumer Protection Awareness
- Pricing & Disclosure Requirements
- Online Payments
- Customer Complaints
- Marketplace Agreements
- Digital Advertising Claims
- Influencer & Marketing Agreements
Fundraising & Investment AwarenessIf it appliesFor businesses exploring investment.12 topics
- Equity Basics
- Understanding Business Valuation
- Shareholding & Dilution
- Term Sheet Basics
- Investor Agreements
- Convertible Instruments
- Founder Rights
- Investor Rights
- Due Diligence
- What Investors Check Before Investing
- ESOP Basics
- Legal Preparation Before Raising Money
Regulatory AwarenessIf it appliesDepending on the industry. We bring domain specialists when a topic needs sector knowledge.9 topics
- Licences & Registrations
- Local Business Permissions
- Industry-Specific Regulations
- Food Business Compliance
- Healthcare Business Compliance
- Manufacturing Compliance
- Labour Compliance
- Environmental Compliance
- Import / Export Awareness
What you should come away with
- A clearer view of what applies to your business and what does not
- The questions worth taking to a lawyer, CA or company secretary
- The things that should never be left undocumented
Who runs them
Sessions are run by people who do the work
Practitioners, not trainers. Nobody here is paid to speak.
Scheduled
Nothing scheduled yet
This one is not in the calendar yet
It runs when a college, company or community asks for it. That is usually how the first one gets scheduled.
Start a conversation
Ask about Legal & Compliance for Business
Tell us who you are and what you have in mind. A person reads it and writes back, usually within two working days.
- Tell us what you need
A topic or a question is enough to start.
- A person replies
Usually within two working days.
- Agree the next step
We work out the details together.
How GullyFuture works
What each side brings
Most sessions are free for participants. Institutions provide the group and a suitable space. Contributors give their time and experience. GullyFuture shapes the format, coordinates the people and documents what happened.
Bring this to your group
Tell us:
- Who the participants are
- Their current stage
- Approximate group size
- City and institution or organisation
- What you want them to understand or practise
- Preferred timing
Contribute
You do not need to be famous or senior. You need relevant experience, the willingness to speak honestly, and respect for the no-selling rule.
You can contribute as a speaker, mentor, interviewer, reviewer, facilitator, host, partner or volunteer.
Contribute your experienceWhat we record
Counted from what happened, never estimated.
- Sessions completed
- Participants reached
- Contributors involved
- Practice or feedback activities completed
- Participant usefulness feedback
- Follow-up actions and resources provided
- Participants who later return as contributors
Participation is free for students and individual participants unless a programme says otherwise. Speakers may explain their work, but a session is never a sales pitch.
You do not need to become a lawyer to run a business. You should understand the decisions, agreements and responsibilities that can affect it.
Explore Legal & Compliance Sessions