NUJS announces first legal course for entrepreneurs

The National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata, a university dedicated exclusively to legal research and training, has announced its second batch of Diploma on Entrepreneurship Administration and Business Laws. The course is intended for entrepreneurs, engineers, managers and working professionals in various decision making capacity and is taught online. 

What is the vision behind the course?

Most businessmen recognize that law sets the framework for any business activity (see the picture below to understand how law affects different business activities). Typically, business leaders acquire a working understanding of law through experience or by observing other businessmen. However, for entrepreneurs, learning exclusively through experience or by watching others is not a sustainable option. These are also not the most efficient methods of learning the law.

So far, legal education in India has been full of technical details and jargon, but does not address issues which affect everyday business. This course aims to impart practical legal skills which are relevant for new businesses in a systematic manner, without teaching unnecessary jargon, section numbers or cases. It focuses on key business contracts, negotiation and how commercial intent behind a business transaction is captured into legal documentation.

Those who learn the skills imparted by this course will be able to devise more holistic business strategy, save costs, protect commercial interests, use law as a tool to achieve commercial goals and utilize lawyers more effectively. 

What is taught in the course?

The areas taught in the course are broadly described below:

• Structuring a business: How should you structure a new business? What factors govern the choice of the structure? Should you structure it as a company, an LLP or a partnership? When is a non-profit model suitable for a new venture? In which cases should you choose a hybrid model? How should you go about the process of incorporation of your venture?

• Licences and registrations: Which business licences do you need to start your own business? How can you obtain them?

• Investment: What does an investment agreement look like? Which clauses do you need to negotiate with an investor? What is the difference in an investment agreement with a strategic investor such as Sony or a financial investor like Sequoia?

• Employment and ESOPs: How should you create ESOP plans for your employees? How should employment agreements for different categories of employees be drafted? What labour law compliance requirements do you need to observe in case you have a relatively large office?

• IP and IT Law (practical aspects): How can you protect the IP (software codes, content, learning material, blogposts, etc.) of your business from being stolen by employees, competitors or any other third parties? How do can you obtain key IP registrations for your business? What immediate remedy do you have under law in case somebody is using your IP?

• Import-export procedures: How can you engage in import export transactions? What legal requirements are required to be fulfilled? What incentives are available to exports? Should an entrepreneur set up an office in an SEZ?

• Supplying to government: Supplying to the government can be a stable source of revenues and also be helpful for the reputation of a new business. What are the rules that are followed by governments while procuring materials? How can startups supply to the government?

• Legal risk management: Which processes (recognized by law) can you internally build to minimize legal and other kinds of risk for your company?

(To view the full syllabus, click here.) 

How is the course taught?

Those who are working full-time on their business, or studying in various full-time courses may find it difficult to learn in a classroom at a fixed time of the day, and prefer learning in their free time. They may even want to learn from the comfort of their own home. For this purpose, the course is being taught over an online learning management platform, which also makes the course location-neutral and highly accessible. 

Course fee (and scholarships)

The course fees are INR 21,000 (which can be paid in two instalments of INR 11,000 and INR 10,000 respectively). NUJS is also offering a full fee waiver for five students from the below poverty line category. This will be provided on a first come first served basis, and on production of appropriate government documentation establishing below poverty line status.

Course features

• Location neutral – Learn business law through an online Learning Management System from anywhere in the country (or outside)
• Learn at your own pace and time, devote 3-4 hours per week (you can pursue this simultaneously with a full-time course and other commitments)
• Online examinations and viva voce (no need to travel)
• Study material consists of interactive videos, text based material, templates, checklists, mind-maps, drafting exercises and self-assessment tests
• No prior knowledge of law or business management is required
• Faculty/ contributors consist of lawyers from top law firms, practising advocates, successful entrepreneurs, investors, judges and bureaucrats
• Live online doubt-clearing and discussion sessions with faculty and experts, 1 live session for networking in select cities (attendance optional – video recordings are made available)
• Recruitment/ internship assistance

How will this course help you?

This course is intended to provide hands-on legal skills which you can put to use right away – whether you are running your own business or helping a startup with legal issues (not as a full-fledged lawyer licensed to practice, but as someone who has studied and understands the legal side of things). Consultants will find the skills taught in the course quite useful.

If you are looking for a job as a manager or a finance professional, imagine walking into a job interview and demonstrating your knowledge in practical aspects of law (in addition to your core skills), which is something recruiters don’t expect. This would definitely help you to stand out.

Typically, entrepreneurs, finance professionals, managers and those who intend to consult startups and SMEs will benefit from the skills taught in the course. Apart from imparting hands-on skills related to performing legal tasks, it will also help in learning the legal framework of the investment world, how law affects a manager’s duties, having control over the legal issues affecting a business, using lawyers more effectively (and reducing legal charges) and in becoming a well-rounded and better decision-maker.

For more details please visit https://startup.nujs.edu.

You can also write to startup@ipleaders.in or call Abhyudaya at 97173 01797 or Ramanuj at 99673 62119.

What are the students from the first batch saying about the course?

The first batch of the course comprises entrepreneurs, working professionals and even law students and young lawyers. They have given us some really encouraging feedback, which has made us feel even more confident about our vision.

What I like about the course is that it helps get to know not just the theory, but the practical know how. That is an important aspect. As a person who is new in the industry, this basic practical knowledge helps in knowing the current trends of the industry.

Jaydeep Bhambhani, working at ILF Advocates 

The course design is very well and is truly practical with due importance given to the theoretical side. The course material is pervasive and the links are useful to get further insight. The self-assessment test was really good and looking forward for more of its kind.

Yuvraj Navrankar, self-employed professional

This course has helped me with the nuts and bolts of starting up on my own.

Parimal Kumar, Electronic and Communication engineering graduate, currently working at Knoura Technology Services Pvt. Ltd.

I have learned so much on startups!!!

Ankur Parikh, an IIIT Hyderabad graduate, currently working with Hurix Systems Pvt. Ltd.

This course has given me clarity in conducting business with anyone!!!

Rishi Rathod, self-employed professional (graduate of MMK College, Mumbai)

A strong foundation for achieving my career objectives.

Mayuresh Dalvi, Marketing Professional from Uberall Solutions (I) Ltd

What are the experts saying?

I wholly welcome this joint initiative of NUJS and iPleaders that seeks to extend practical legal knowledge to budding entrepreneurs and owner managers of SME businesses. The syllabus is carefully structured to give first time entrepreneurs and SME business owners a good overview and basic knowledge of all legal matters that pertain to starting and running a business.

VVR Babu, Chief Information Officer, ITC Limited

Given that the eco system for entrepreneurship is just beginning to bloom in India, this well-structured and easily accessible course could not have been more timely. It should form part of the tool kit of every entrepreneur who seeks to establish their imprint on our society through a creative venture of his own!

Prof. Shamnad Basheer, Ministry of HRD Chair Professor of IP Law, NUJS and founder of world-famous IP law blog called Spicy IP

I am quite impressed with the breadth and depth of the course content that is to be covered here.This is a must attend for any CXO at a startup or growing organization.

Raghav Aggarwal, Founder-Director,Trutech Webs Private Limited

The course is well structured and covers all essential laws which are relevant to a startup and carrying out day-to-day business. It will immensely benefit students of both legal and non-legal background.

Prof. Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Professor, Direct and Indirect Taxes, NUJS

The syllabus is very interesting – would actually recommend it for most serial entrepreneurs and for CFO’s in all SME’s.

Jayant Tewary, CEO & Financial Technologist, Outsourced CFO & Business Advisory Services, Bangalore