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BrowserStack launches $125 Mn ESOP buyback for employees and early backers

EntrackrEntrackr ยท 9h ago
BrowserStack launches $125 Mn ESOP buyback for employees and early backers
Medial

BrowserStack launches $125 Mn ESOP buyback for employees and early backers According to the company, the total capital returned to shareholders across three buyback cycles will reach around $275 million. Mumbai-headquartered software testing platform BrowserStack is launching a $125 million share buyback programme to provide liquidity to its employees and early backers. The buyback will allow stakeholders, including nearly 500 employees, to sell their shares back to the company. An ET report added that about half of the total buyback amount has been earmarked for employees, while the remaining portion will go to early investors such as Accel. In September 2021, BrowserStack had announced its second ESOP buyback worth $50 million, following its first ESOP buyback programme executed in February 2021. The company turned unicorn in June 2021 after raising $200 million in Series B funding at a $4 billion valuation. Founded in 2011, BrowserStack provides cloud-based software testing tools that enable developers and QA teams to test websites and mobile applications across a wide range of devices, operating systems, and browsers. The company serves customers globally from offices in Mumbai, San Francisco, New York, and Dublin. BrowserStack claims to be among the leading software testing platforms, powering over two million tests every day across 17 global data centres. In May last year, the company acquired Requestly, a tool for HTTP interception, API mocking, and debugging, for an undisclosed amount. It also acquired Berlin-based bug detection and reporting platform Bird Eats Bug for $20 million in 2024. Meanwhile, ESOP buyback activity in 2025 remained muted at a little over $75 million. In comparison, total ESOP buybacks, payouts, and liquidity stood at about $190 million in 2024, sharply lower than $802 million in 2023, $440 million in 2021, and $200 million in 2022.

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Flipkart announces new ESOP liquidity worth $50 Mn

EntrackrEntrackr ยท 6m ago
Flipkart announces new ESOP liquidity worth $50 Mn
Medial

Flipkart announces new ESOP liquidity worth $50 Mn This announcement follows Flipkartโ€™s record $700 million payout to employees in 2023, one of the largest ESOP buyback events in Indian startup history. Flipkart has announced a fresh ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) liquidity opportunity for its employees, according to an internal note from the companyโ€™s chief executive officer Kalyan Krishnamurthy. As per the note, eligible employees will be allowed to liquidate up to 5% of their vested ESOPs as of July 5, 2025, at a buyback price of $174.32 per option. Payouts will be made in August 2025 under the Flipkart Stock Option Plan 2012. An ET report estimates the size of the ESOP buyback at $50 million, with 7,000 to 7,500 employees expected to benefit from the liquidity program. Flipkart is currently valued at around $36 billion. Krishnamurthy also added that if key performance goals are met by the end of 2025, another 5% liquidity window could open in early 2026. A Flipkart spokesperson confirmed the development to Entrackr. This announcement follows Flipkartโ€™s record $700 million payout to employees in 2023, one of the largest ESOP buyback events in Indian startup history. Media reports indicate the firm plans to launch its IPO with a valuation of $60-$70 billion. The companyโ€™s board has already approved the process to shift its holding structure from Singapore to India. In 2025, a clutch of startups including Darwinbox, Rapido, Univest, Deserve, and Even Healthcare have implemented ESOP buyback, liquidity, and payout programs worth around $67 million. In 2024, more than 20 startups implemented $200 million. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the ESOP buyback or liquidity amount stood at $802 million in 2023, $440 million in 2021, and $200 million in 2022.

Even Healthcare launches first ESOP buyback worth $500K

EntrackrEntrackr ยท 10m ago
Even Healthcare launches first ESOP buyback worth $500K
Medial

Even Healthcare launches first ESOP buyback worth $500K Managed care provider Even Healthcare announced its first-ever Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) buyback within three years, joining Indian startups using stock rewards to retain talent and boost employee wealth. Even announced a buyback worth $0.5 million for its employees at the primary valuation without any discount. According to the company, this ensures employees receive maximum earnings from their sale and do not face an โ€œESOP haircut.โ€ This buyback follows Even Healthcareโ€™s $30 million Series A funding round in October last year. โ€œAt Even Healthcare, we believe in creating long-term financial opportunities for our employees. This buyback is a testament to our commitment to ensuring everyone who contributes to Evenโ€™s growth benefits from it. We are proud to set a new benchmark in the industry and look forward to expanding our ESOP program further,โ€ said Matilde Giglio, co-founder of Even Healthcare. Founded in 2020 by Mayank Banerjee, Giglio, and Alessandro Ialongo, Even Healthcare offers its members free consultations, diagnostic tests, and cashless hospitalization through its in-house clinical team and insurance partners. According to the company, it only partners with hospitals that guarantee the care of its members in exchange for a recurring payment.

Edtech startup SpeakX announces $1 Mn ESOP buyback for 15 employees

EntrackrEntrackr ยท 1m ago
Edtech startup SpeakX announces $1 Mn ESOP buyback for 15 employees
Medial

Edtech startup SpeakX announces $1 Mn ESOP buyback for 15 employees Edtech company SpeakX (formerly Yellow Class) has launched its first ESOP buyback program worth $1 million, offering early liquidity to employees. According to the company, 15 out of its 20 employees will benefit from the buyback. The buyback comes on the heels of SpeakXโ€™s recent $16 million pre-Series B round which includes performance-linked stock grants, tenure-based allocation, and a long-term ownership structure. Employees who complete two years at the company receive ESOPs with a 10-year exercise window, and grants extend across all departments instead of being limited to senior roles. Till date, SpeakX had raised a total of $23.3 million which includes $1.3 million in seed funding led by India Quotient and then a $6 million Series A round led by Elevation Capital in 2021. SpeakX said the initiative is designed to provide liquidity earlier than typical startup exits or late-stage rounds. The company added that its 20-member team collectively holds 6% equity, and the ESOP pool will expand as it raises new rounds. Founded by Arpit Mittal, SpeakX simulates real-world conversations and provides automated speech correction and multilingual support. The platform reports high engagement, with learners spending about 15 minutes per session. SpeakX initially began as a live learning platform but later pivoted in 2023 to an AI-powered learning app to make English learning more accessible and scalable. SpeakXโ€™s app is currently available in India and select international markets, with plans to expand further across Asia and the Middle East. The firm also shared updated business metrics: CAC payback in one day, 3.7x LTV/CAC within six months, and 35% retention at Month 3.

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