STARTUP ESOPS
Swiggy’s pre-IPO Esop sale; GST & ride-hailing apps
Food delivery company Swiggy will buy back Esops worth $65 million, its fifth such exercise. This and more on today’s ETtech Top 5.
IPO-bound Swiggy announces fifth Esop plan worth $65 million
Swiggy has cumulatively enabled over Rs 1,000 crore of Esops liquidity over the five events, benefiting more than 3,200 employees. Girish Menon, head of HR at Swiggy said, the latest Esop event is to acknowledge employees’ contributions and the food platform’s commitment to sharing its success and growth with them.
Swiggy announces $65 million ESOP programme for employees ahead of IPO
As part of the scheme, Swiggy employees across all levels and functions will have the opportunity to receive up to $65 million in liquidity for their ESOPs. This marks Swiggy's fifth liquidity event since 2018 and the third consecutive event following those in July 2022 and 2023. This positions Swiggy as one of the few start-ups consistently providing wealth-creation opportunities for its employees.
OfBusiness FY24 operating revenue up 26% on year to Rs 19,296 crore
For FY24, OfBusiness reported Rs 19,296.27 crore revenue (up 25.7%) and Rs 602.97 crore profit (up 30%). Total expenses rose due to stock-in-trade. Founded in 2015, its lending arm Oxyzo earned Rs 903 crore.
Top startup and tech stories this week
Welcome to a brand new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories that we covered this week. Here’s a recap if you missed them.
Zerodha to end zero-brokerage model; Unacademy lays off 250 employees
Online stock broker Zerodha will likely discontinue its zero-brokerage structure due to new Sebi rules. More on this in today’s ETtech Top 5.
- Go To Page 1
Karnataka losing out in manufacturing race; CXO churn in startups
New-age companies are choosing to set up manufacturing facilities in neighboring states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, bypassing Karnataka. More on this in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Purplle closes Rs 1,000 crore funding deal led by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Purplle has also announced a Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Esop) liquidity programme and will offer liquidity of Rs 50 crore to its employees. Company cofounder and CEO said they will constantly innovate their technology to provide the best for their customer. Purplle is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the beauty and personal care (BPC) segment, having grown its GMV by four times over the last three years.
Purplle’s Rs 1,000 crore funding; FirstCry, Unicommerce IPOs cleared
Omnichannel beauty platform Purplle has closed a Rs 1,000 crore funding round. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
ESOPs exempt from GST, barring where foreign companies charge additional amount
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) clarified that multinational companies offering Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs), Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs), or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) without additional charges will not attract GST. This decision benefits tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart, alleviating tax litigation concerns
IVCA’s VC Council for 2024–26 to focus on boosting micro-VCs
The IVCA VC Council, led by industry experts, aims to elevate the Indian start-up ecosystem by fostering innovation, supporting micro-VCs.
Nykaa grants 4.73 lakh shares under Esop scheme
FSN E-Commerce Ventures, operating Nykaa, allotted 4,73,138 equity shares under Esop scheme. Shares valued at Rs 8.08 crore. Managing director Falguni Nayar foresees $90-billion market growth.
Agritech startup DeHaat posts 40% rise in FY24 operating revenue, halves loss
Agritech startup DeHaat reported a 40% increase in operating revenue to Rs 2,700 crore in FY24. The company aims for profitability in FY25 and announced an Esop buyback program worth Rs 10 crore.
A quarter of hits & a few misses; and other top tech, startup stories
Welcome to another edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter. This is Pranav Mukul in New Delhi. This week we’ve wrapped up another compelling quarterly earnings season for listed new-age companies from Zomato and Delhivery to Paytm and PB Fintech.
Homebound startups restructure; offline push by D2C brands
Happy Wednesday! Homegrown startups are stepping on the pedal for their move back home. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Nykaa makes Rs 7.17 crore Esop allotment ahead of Q4 results
Companies typically expand their Esop pool to attract and retain talent, align employee and shareholder interests, and enhance overall performance. Private startups also institute buybacks of Esops to help create wealth for employees.
From boardrooms to law firms: General counsels eye law firm opportunities
A recent survey of 300 general counsels and legal heads of companies has revealed that 43% of respondents are interested in career opportunities at law firms. The survey highlights a preference for stability among respondents, with many looking at law firm opportunities as retirement approaches or in the absence of in-house growth prospects. This trend is underscored by recent high-profile moves, such as former Ola Electric Mobility general counsel Sanjit Nagarkatti joining Economic Laws Practice.
ShareChat valuation drops 60% to under $2 billion post new funding
Twitter and Google-backed homegrown social media firm Sharechat has closed $49 million in debt financing through convertible debentures from existing investors – Lightspeed, Temasek, Alkeon Capital, Moore Strategic Ventures and HarbourVest.
'World Bank's biz-ready formula & startup concerns on budget agenda'
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will take up for discussions lingering concerns of startups on issues around Angel tax, taxation of Employee Stock Option Plans and bank guarantee commitments in tenders in the upcoming budget to be presented after the general elections.
Apple tops in blue-collar jobs; election merchandise now on ecommerce
Apple and its supplier network have become India’s leading blue-collar job creator since the start of the production-linked incentive scheme. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Pocket FM completes first ever Esop buyback worth $8.3 million
Pocket FM completes $8.3 million Esop buyback for 800 employees, with 25% Esops vested in the first year. Recently raised $103 million from Lightspeed Ventures and Stepstone Group, aiming for a $1.2 billion valuation with ADIA.
Edtech startup Classplus named in cheating, forgery case by Abhinay Maths
A first information report – also accusing Tiger Global-backed Classplus of forgery and fraud – was lodged at Delhi’s Hauz Khas Police Station on March 9. ET has seen a copy of the FIR.
Meesho kicks off Rs 200-crore Esop buyback
Both current and former employees can participate in the buyback programme, its largest to date. Meesho said it had conducted similar buybacks of $1 million, $5 million and $5.5 million in February 2020, November 2020, and October 2021, respectively.
Smaller IPOs an alternative for shrinking VC exits: Blume report
According to a report from Blume, startups which are not seeing a lot of interest from growth investors, or hitting a growth ceiling and ‘feel better to build profitably than burn for growth’ should be exploring IPOs.
Startup recruiters find few takers amid overall hiring slowdown
Talent acquisition professionals at inflated salaries have found themselves priced out of the market as opportunities dwindle.
Edtech startup Classplus unveils second Esop buyback, over 150 employees eligible
This is Classplus’ second offer in three years to repurchase shares issued under its employee stock ownership plan (Esop). More than 150 employees across roles and business verticals are eligible to sell their vested shares to the company, the edtech startup said in a news release. The youngest participant in this buyback is a 23-year-old, while the average age of the eligible staffers is 28 years, cofounder and CEO Mukul Rustagi said.
Startups talk up funding winter, but loosen their purse strings
During the ongoing funding winter, several internet majors such as Paytm, Policybazaar parent PB Fintech, Flipkart failedd to control expenses in FY23. Horizontal omnichannel retailers such as Nykaa, Mamaearth parent Honasa Consumer and FirstCry also saw both employee expenses and marketing costs rise anywhere between 23% to 55% during FY23.
The economics of evolving ecosystem: Why incubators need to be sustainable
The governments want incubators to be less dependant on grants and instead find other sustainable business models.
Parliamentary panel recommends relaxation in criteria for recognised startups to avail tax benefits
The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has expressed concern about the low utilisation of section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which entitles eligible startups to avail the tax benefit. It was implemented in 2017.
Load More
