A sole proprietorship is a type of unregistered business entity that is owned, managed and controlled by one person. Sole proprietorship's are one of the most common forms of business in India, used by most micro and small businesses operating in the unorganized sectors. Proprietorships are very easy to start and have very minimal regulatory compliance requirement for started and operating. However, after the startup phase, proprietorship's do not offer the promoter a host of benefits such as limited liability proprietorship, corporate status, separate legal entity, independent existence, transferability, perpetual existence - which are desirable features for any business. Therefore, proprietorship registration is suited only for unorganized, small businesses that will remain small and/or have a limited period of existence.