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Onesto Consultancy

Market Entry
India.

India is not
one market.
It is thirty.

India is the world's most populous country, the fifth largest economy, and one of the fastest-growing consumer markets on earth. But entering it without the right structure, the right partners, and the right regulatory knowledge is one of the most expensive mistakes a foreign company can make.

Onesto provides foreign businesses with a complete, on-ground market entry service for India. From initial feasibility and company registration to distributor identification, regulatory compliance, and ongoing representation. We do not hand you a report and walk away. We execute alongside you.

What We Deliver

What the engagement covers.

Six structured deliverables covering every dimension of a successful India market entry, from research to on-ground execution.

01

Market Feasibility and Sector Analysis

An independent, data-backed assessment of your product or service's viability in the Indian market. Regional consumer analysis, competitor mapping, pricing intelligence, and demand validation across the relevant states and cities.

02

Company Registration and Legal Structure

We guide you through every viable entry structure: Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Liaison Office, Branch Office, or Joint Venture. Incorporation, tax registration, and compliance setup are handled in-house by Onesto Legal from our New Delhi office.

03

Distributor and Partner Identification

A longlist, a shortlist, and references taken, drawn from our vetted network of distributors, agents, and buyers across India. We conduct due diligence, make the introductions, and sit alongside you in the commercial negotiation.

04

Regulatory and Import Compliance

India's import regulations, BIS certifications, FSSAI approvals, and state-level requirements are complex and frequently updated. We map every compliance requirement specific to your product category, with owners and dates, so your entry is legally clean.

05

Go-to-Market Execution Plan

A structured, milestone-driven roadmap covering channel strategy, pricing architecture, launch sequencing, trade fair participation, and first-year commercial targets. Built for your sector rather than adapted from a template.

06

Ongoing Commercial Representation

Once established, we act as your extended team on the ground in India, managing relationships, attending meetings, following up on leads, and reporting back as a genuine operational partner rather than an adviser.

Ideal Client Profile

Built for companies like yours.

We work with European manufacturers, Spanish exporters, FMCG brands, agri-input companies, technology firms, and professional services businesses that are serious about India.

Common Questions

Entering India. Answered.

How long does it take to set up a company in India as a foreign business?
Typically between four and eight weeks for a Private Limited Company (Wholly Owned Subsidiary), depending on documentation readiness and the state of incorporation. A Liaison Office takes longer due to RBI approval requirements. We manage the full process in-house through Onesto Legal.
What is the minimum investment required to enter India?
There is no universal minimum for most sectors under the automatic route. However, working capital requirements, compliance costs, and operational setup typically require a realistic budget of EUR 30,000 to EUR 100,000 for a first-year market entry, depending on sector and scale.
Do I need to be physically present in India to set up a business there?
No. We manage the incorporation process, compliance registrations, and partner introductions on your behalf. Many of our clients have completed a full market entry setup without a single trip to India in the first phase.
Which structure should we choose: subsidiary, branch, or liaison office?
It depends on what you intend to do commercially. A Liaison Office cannot earn revenue in India and suits representation and market study. A Branch Office can trade within a defined scope. A Wholly Owned Subsidiary is the usual choice for a company that intends to invoice, employ, and hold inventory locally. The choice drives your tax position, how profits reach the parent company, and how difficult an exit would be, so it is worth deciding properly rather than picking the cheapest option to register.
Who owns the customer relationships if we work through a distributor?
Whoever the contract says, and in practice whoever holds the contact. This is the single most common reason a plateaued India business cannot be fixed quickly. We structure distribution agreements so that customer data, pricing visibility, and the right to appoint additional channels stay with you.
What happens if we stop after the feasibility stage?
Nothing further is owed. Feasibility is priced and delivered as a standalone piece of work, and if the honest answer is that your product does not have a route in India at a price that works, that is what the document will say. We would rather write that than start an entry that stalls.
Which sectors have the highest opportunity for European companies entering India right now?
Food and beverage, agricultural technology, industrial machinery, healthcare, renewable energy, luxury goods, and professional services. Each requires a different entry approach, and Onesto tailors its strategy by vertical rather than applying one method to all of them.
What makes Onesto different from a generic India market entry consultant?
We are based in Bilbao, Spain, and our clients are primarily European, so we understand both sides of the commercial and regulatory equation. We also operate an active India Desk with on-ground presence in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, and our legal work is handled in-house by our own advocates in Delhi. We are not advising remotely, and we are not handing you a list of other people to call.

Ready to enter India the right way?

Connect with our India Desk and let us structure your market entry from the ground up.

Schedule a Consultation