COMPANY FORMATION

What COMPANY FORMATION does

Mercurius Company Formation is a Chartered Accountant-led professional services firm headquartered in New Delhi, founded in 2008 by Ankit Jain and Siddhartha Havelia. The firm provides end-to-end India market-entry and ongoing regulatory compliance services to foreign companies, NRIs, and multinationals seeking to establish a legal presence in India. Its core service portfolio covers six entity types — Private Limited Company, Wholly Owned Subsidiary / Subsidiary, Limited Liability Partnership, Branch Office, Liaison Office, and Project Office — supplemented by add-on modules covering FDI and RBI compliance filing (FC-GPR, FLA, FDI-LLP(I)), tax and GST registration, accounting and Virtual CFO services, HR/payroll/PEO, ongoing ROC/secretarial compliance, resident director provision, and virtual registered office services.

The firm's technology stack is built around India's statutory electronic-filing infrastructure — the Ministry of Corporate Affairs SPICe+ incorporation system, DSC/DIN remote issuance, and RBI FEMA reporting portals — wrapped in ISO 9001:2015-certified, checklist-driven workflows. The differentiator is the service delivery model rather than proprietary software: every client engagement is owned by a single qualified Chartered Accountant from first discovery call through incorporation, RBI/FEMA filings, bank account coordination, and ongoing annual compliance. The firm reports 400+ in-house professionals, 2,000+ clients served across 60+ countries, and zero RBI rejections across 200+ company setups.

Mercurius generates revenue through three streams: (1) one-time professional fees for entity incorporation, (2) a fixed annual retainer covering ongoing ROC/MCA filings, statutory audit, income tax, TDS, payroll, GST, and RBI/FEMA reporting, and (3) discrete specialist advisory projects in transfer pricing, DTAA structuring, M&A valuation, and trademark registration. Pricing is fixed and quoted upfront — no hourly billing. Distribution is entirely direct, driven by SEO-optimised country-corridor and service pages, referrals from the TIAG global accounting alliance, and a free CA-led discovery call positioned as the primary conversion mechanism. Representative offices in Oakland (USA), Tokyo (Japan), and Dubai (UAE) extend local presence into the firm's three priority foreign-source markets.

Name

COMPANY FORMATION

Legal name

Mercurius Company Formation

Website

https://companyformationsservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Mercurius Company Formation is a Chartered Accountant-led Indian professional services firm that incorporates and maintains Indian legal entities (Private Limited, Subsidiary, LLP, Branch, Liaison, Project Office) for foreign companies and NRIs across 60+ countries, delivering 100% remote end-to-end India market entry and ongoing RBI/FEMA, tax, and ROC compliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Company Formation & Incorporation Services: One-time professional fees for incorporating Indian entities (Private Limited, WOS, LLP, Branch Office, Liaison Office, Project Office) for foreign companies and NRIs. Covers pre-incorporation FDI advisory, document preparation, MCA filing, and post-incorporation registrations (PAN, TAN, GST, bank account). Pricing is fixed and transparent — quoted upfront before engagement begins.
2. Ongoing Compliance & Regulatory Services: Annual retainer covering ROC/MCA filings (MGT-7, AOC-4), income tax returns, statutory audit, RBI FLA return, FEMA reporting, GST filing, TDS, payroll processing, PF/ESI, and virtual CFO services. Billed as a single fixed annual retainer — one professional, one invoice.
3. Specialist Advisory Services: Transfer pricing documentation, DTAA structuring, PE risk assessment, FDI-LLP(I) filings, expatriate tax advisory, business acquisition and valuation, trademark registration, and license registrations — billed as discrete project engagements or as add-ons to the annual retainer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mercurius provides end-to-end India company formation and regulatory compliance services for foreign companies and NRIs. Each engagement is led by a dedicated Chartered Accountant who manages entity incorporation (Private Limited, Subsidiary, LLP, Branch, Liaison, or Project Office), FDI structuring, RBI/FEMA filings, corporate banking, and ongoing annual compliance. All services are delivered 100% remotely, without requiring the client to visit India.

Product overview

Mercurius Company Formation is a CA-led professional services firm — not a unified software product — that offers a portfolio of company formation and compliance services for foreign companies entering India. The core offering consists of six entity registration products: Private Limited Company Registration, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Formation, Indian Subsidiary Company Registration, Branch Office Setup, Liaison Office Registration, and Project Office Setup. These are supplemented by add-on compliance and operational modules including FDI & RBI Compliance Filing, Tax & GST Registration Services, Accounting & Virtual CFO Services, HR/Payroll & PEO Services, Ongoing Regulatory Compliance Management, Resident Director Services, and Virtual Registered Office Address. Together, the portfolio covers the full India market-entry lifecycle from entity structuring and MCA incorporation through RBI/FEMA filings, corporate banking, payroll, and annual compliance — all delivered remotely without requiring the client to visit India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Limited Company Registration Registration of an Indian Private Limited Company for foreign companies, offering 100% foreign ownership, 22% corporate tax rate, full profit repatriation, and an investor-ready structure with ESOP capability. Process is delivered 100% remotely with a 10–15 day incorporation timeline. Targets foreign SaaS, IT, e-commerce, and product companies, as well as businesses planning to raise external funding.
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Formation Formation of an Indian LLP for foreign partners and NRIs, offering 100% FDI in eligible sectors, flat 30% tax on profits with zero dividend distribution tax, lower annual compliance burden, and a 120-day residency rule. Suited for consulting firms, IT services, and professional services firms.
• Indian Subsidiary Company Registration Registration of a wholly-owned or shared-ownership Indian subsidiary under the Companies Act 2013, enabling 100% foreign ownership, separate legal entity status, 22% tax rate, and full operational freedom in India. Incorporation is completed in 15–25 working days. Designed for foreign companies planning a permanent India presence with hiring, banking, fundraising, and independent operations under Indian law.
• Branch Office Setup Establishment of a Branch Office in India as a direct extension of a foreign parent company, requiring RBI approval under FEMA 22(R), enabling import/export, professional services, R&D, and IT/software activities. Setup is completed in 8–12 weeks with full profit repatriation capability. Targets foreign companies conducting limited business without full incorporation.
• Liaison Office Registration Establishment of an RBI-approved Liaison Office for market research, relationship-building, and communication without commercial activity. Valid for 3 years and renewable, with all expenses funded by inward remittance from the parent company abroad. Designed for foreign companies exploring the India market prior to full entry.
• Project Office Setup Setup of a temporary RBI-approved Project Office in India for executing specific contracts such as EPC, construction, engineering, or IT infrastructure projects. Operational in 4–6 weeks with formal closure upon project completion. Targets foreign companies awarded India-specific contracts.
• FDI & RBI Compliance Filing Foreign Direct Investment regulatory filings including FC-GPR, FEMA compliance, and Reserve Bank of India reporting for inbound capital from foreign jurisdictions. Includes FLA return, transfer pricing documentation, and DTAA advisory.
• Tax & GST Registration Services PAN, TAN, and GST registration combined with advance tax planning and transfer pricing documentation for intercompany transactions under applicable DTAA treaties.
• Accounting & Virtual CFO Services Monthly bookkeeping, financial reporting under Indian GAAP, and Virtual CFO services tailored for parent companies, including India-aligned reporting formats.
• HR, Payroll & PEO Services Local hiring support, payroll processing, PF/ESI compliance, and Professional Employer Organisation services enabling hiring in India without a registered entity.
• Ongoing Regulatory Compliance Management Annual MCA and ROC filings (MGT-7, AOC-4), statutory audit, corporate secretarial services, and RBI/FEMA reporting — managed on a fixed annual retainer with one dedicated CA per client.
• Resident Director Services Provision of qualified Indian resident directors to satisfy the mandatory 182-day residency requirement under the Companies Act 2013, with no delay to incorporation timelines.
• Virtual Registered Office Address Virtual office address provided for Indian registered office requirements, accepted for MCA registration, with rental agreement, utility bill, and NOC documentation handled.

Quantifiable outcome

• Setup time of 4–8 weeks for Private Limited and WOS entities in India, compared to industry average of 8–12+ weeks
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TIAG (The International Accounting Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercurius is a member firm of TIAG — a global alliance of 290+ independent accounting firms across 110 countries. TIAG membership enables Mercurius to receive cross-border client referrals from member firms in the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia, and to refer its own clients to TIAG member firms for services outside India. The partnership is a core component of Mercurius's international reach and global advisory credibility.
• UTN NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercurius is a member of the UTN Network, a global alliance of accounting firms that deepens its cross-border advisory capabilities across multiple jurisdictions. The partnership complements the TIAG membership by providing additional international coverage and referral pathways.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vakilsearch: India-based legal and business registration platform offering Pvt Ltd, LLP, and Branch Office incorporation plus ongoing compliance. Direct overlap with Mercurius on India-entry services, though more tech-led and mass-market than Mercurius's CA-led foreign-MNC focus.
• Clear (formerly ClearTax): Tech-led Indian tax, GST, and business compliance platform serving individuals, SMBs, and enterprises. Overlaps with Mercurius's tax, GST, and annual compliance offerings, with a stronger SaaS orientation.
• IndiaFilings: Online platform for Indian company registration, GST, trademark, and compliance filings. Closely comparable product surface to Mercurius, with a more self-serve digital orientation and a broader India-domestic customer base.
• RegisterKaro: Indian company registration and compliance services firm covering Pvt Ltd, LLP, OPC, and trademark filings. Comparable service surface to Mercurius, with a heavier SMB and domestic-market tilt.
• StartupFino: India-focused business setup, legal, accounting, and tax advisory firm for startups and foreign entrants. Directly comparable to Mercurius on Pvt Ltd/LLP formation and ongoing compliance, though smaller in scale.
• Kanakkupillai: India-based company registration, tax, and compliance services firm serving SMEs, startups, and foreign companies. Closely comparable offering to Mercurius with similar cross-border orientation.
• Sannam S4: International market-entry advisory firm helping global companies enter and operate in India, with comparable cross-border tax, compliance, and entity-formation services. Closest international-focused peer to Mercurius's foreign-MNC positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Deloitte India (Talent & Transformation / India Entry): Global Big 4 firm with a dedicated India-entry and FDI advisory practice serving Fortune 500 MNCs. Overlaps with Mercurius on large-MNC India incorporation, FDI advisory, and cross-border tax, but operates as part of a global portfolio across many services.
• BDO India: Global accounting network's India member firm providing cross-border tax, FDI, and compliance services to foreign MNCs entering India. Directly comparable on the enterprise-MNC segment but with deeper international bench and broader service mix.
• Grant Thornton India: Mid-tier global accounting and advisory firm with India market-entry and FDI practice serving foreign MNCs. Comparable on cross-border tax, FDI structuring, and annual compliance, but at a larger scale and broader service portfolio than Mercurius.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ajshco
• Facebookfacebook.com/ajshco

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about COMPANY FORMATION