Gone are the days when a startup’s long-term success was measured solely by its profits or losses. Today, legal, strategic, and regulatory decisions play a defining role in shaping how a startup grows and sustains itself. Leading this evolution, from single-dimensional planning to a strategy-driven ecosystem—are general counsels who connect law, business, and innovation in remarkable ways.

In this conversation, Tanishka Dutt, Journalist and News Sub-Editor at Indian Startup Times, sits down with Suhani Singh, General Counsel at Delhivery Limited, to explore her journey, insights, and the dynamic world of corporate law in India’s startup landscape.

From a Leading Law Firm to Building Legal Foundations at Delhivery

Suhani began her professional journey at AZB & Partners, one of India’s most reputed law firms, as part of the Ggeneral Ccorporate team. In April 2015, she made a pivotal move to Delhivery, which was still an emerging startup back then.

Transitioning from a structured law firm to a young, fast-paced organization was a striking change—one that came with challenges and excitement in equal measure.

“There’s never a dull day,” Suhani smiles, recalling her early days at Delhivery.

At Delhivery, Suhani’s portfolio spans a wide spectrum of legal work—from litigation (civil, criminal, and consumer-related) to bail applications, superdari matters, and coordination with external counsels. This hands-on experience, she says, has been far more enriching than what traditional firm life offers early in one’s career.

Beyond litigation, Suhani leads a broad spectrum of corporate legal work including she also oversees private equity rounds, M&A transactions (domestic and cross-border), strategic advisory, and agreement and drafting and negotiating complex agreements. She is also instrumental in shaping the company’s overall legal strategy. and building the legal strategy for the company. Unlike at traditional law firm settingss, where lawyers typicallyoften handle only fragments of deals, Suhani manages transactions end-to-end—guiding them from initial commercial discussions through to final integration, seamlessly combining legal expertise with business strategy.from initial commercial discussions to final integration—merging legal acumen with business strategy.

Navigating India’s Changing Legal and Regulatory Landscape

Reflecting on the current legal environment, Suhani underscores the growing synergy between law and compliance. The introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, she notes, has reshaped how companies handle data, privacy, and accountability.

“In today’s context, a strong legal foundation must go hand in hand with robust compliance frameworks to ensure that innovation and integrity coexist,” she shares.

She also points to recent amendments in online gaming laws, which have significantly impacted companies in that sector. These evolving regulations, she believes, reflect India’s maturing approach toward balancing technological progress with consumer protection and ethical practices.

The Impact of Government Policies on Startups

Speaking about government policies, Suhani notes that every new regulation brings additional responsibilities. For instance, the DPDP Act demands that companies review how they collect and manage data while ensuring employee awareness and adherence to new standards.

She underscores the critical role of legal teams in aligning business practices with evolving regulatory frameworks. “From a legal standpoint, these policies do increase our workload,” Suhani acknowledges, “but the real challenge and opportunity is in integrating them seamlessly into existing systems.”

Legal teams, she adds, play a vital role in aligning business practices with these evolving frameworks.

“From a legal standpoint, these policies do increase our work,” Suhani admits, “but the key lies in how seamlessly you integrate them into your systems.”

She emphasizes the need for clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are easy for employees to follow and that blend smoothly into day-to-day operations without creating disruption.

Where Startups Often Go Wrong

When asked about common pitfalls young startups face, Suhani reflects candidly:

“Many founders underestimate the importance of building a strong legal and regulatory foundation early on.”

She highlights that insufficient investment in a capable legal team can lead to non-compliance, penalties, litigation, and reputational damage later. A proactive legal strategy, she says, is not a cost—it’s an investment in longevity.

Her Advice for Young Founders

Suhani’s advice to early-stage entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: invest in a strong legal and compliance team from day one.

She stresses that founders must ensure close collaboration between their legal and compliancetheir head of legal functionsand company secretary to ensuremaintain compliance across all aspects of business. Setting up clear policies and documentation early, such as ESOP frameworks, codes of conduct, and filing systems, can save significant trouble later—especially for startups seeking foreign investment or FDI.

“Whether it’s marketing, compliance, or internal audit,” she says, “building a robust team from the outset helps navigate challenges efficiently and lays the foundation for sustainable growth.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Legal Frameworks for Startups in India

Suhani believes India’s legal and regulatory landscape for startups is evolving faster than ever. With the DPDP Act, companies will need to carefully manage user consent, data deletion, and breach notifications—as non-compliance could lead to both financial and reputational setbacks.

At the same time, government schemes that offer tax benefits, IP support, seed funding, and faster regulatory processes are paving the way for growth.

She also foresees a future where environmental and sustainability regulations will become crucial, especially for startups in manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.

“Startups that proactively integrate legal, regulatory, and environmental responsibilities into their operations will be the ones truly future-ready,” she concludes.

Interview Conducted By : Tanishka Dutt