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

EntrackrEntrackr · 5d 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 SpeakX’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. SpeakX’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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Flipkart announces new ESOP liquidity worth $50 Mn

EntrackrEntrackr · 4m ago
Flipkart announces new ESOP liquidity worth $50 Mn
Medial

Flipkart announces new ESOP liquidity worth $50 Mn This announcement follows Flipkart’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 company’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 Flipkart’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 company’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.

MyGate announces ESOP buyback for over 50 employees

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
MyGate announces ESOP buyback for over 50 employees
Medial

Community management app MyGate has announced employees stock buyback program for more than 50 employees. The buyback has come on the back of improved financial results for the Bengaluru-based company in the last and current fiscal year. MyGate has announced the buyback plan of 20% of vested shares for employees who have completed four years at the firm. “We are in the strongest financial position that we have ever been and well capitalised to fuel our growth and new initiatives,” said Abhishek Kumar, co-founder of MyGate. MyGate grew without raising venture capital money for nearly four years. The firm’s operating revenue jumped 77.3% to Rs 71.10 crore in FY23 from Rs 40.1 crore in FY22. During the period, it managed to cut losses to the tune of 35%. The company primarily generates income through subscription revenue from resident welfare associations and from brands promoting themselves on the MyGate app. The firm also said that it achieved zero cash burn in November 2023. MyGate raised $56 million in a Series B round in October 2019. Later, it raised strategic money worth $12 million from home service marketplace Urban Company and insurance provider Acko in November 2022. Entrackr exclusively reported the development. While the number of ESOP buybacks saw a downward trend in 2023, the amount of buyback and payout created a new record in the last year. As per data compiled by TheKredible, the total EOSP buyback/payout/liquidity in 2023 stood at nearly $802 million. In 2021 and 2022, the buyback amount was recorded at $440 and $200 million respectively. Last month, edtech company Classplus announced ESOP buyback for more than 150 employees.

Meesho announces its largest ESOP buyback worth Rs 200 Cr

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
Meesho announces its largest ESOP buyback worth Rs 200 Cr
Medial

Meesho has announced the initiation of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) buyback program of Rs 200 crore (approximately $25 million), making it the company’s largest ESOP buyback pool to date. This marks the fourth buyback at the horizontal e-commerce unicorn. The company bought back shares worth $1 million in February 2020, $5 million in November 2020 and $5.5 million in October 2021. The new buyback will benefit around 1,700 past as well as present employees across junior-level executives to senior leadership. Meesho provides small businesses, which includes SMBs, MSMEs and individual entrepreneurs, access to millions of customers, selection from over 30 categories, pan-India logistics, payment services and customer support capabilities. The Vidit Aatrey-led company recently announced the launch of Valmo, a full fledged logistics marketplace that allows the network of micro-entrepreneurs to become Meesho logistics partners. In July 2023, Meesho claimed that it was the first horizontal Indian e-commerce company to turn profitable. Since announcing profitability in July 2023, the company continues to remain profitable and cash flow positive. The company also cut its losses in FY23 by 48% but its revenue spiked 77% year-on-year to Rs 5,735 crore in the last fiscal year. Recently, community management app MyGate rolled out employee stock buyback program for more than 50 employees. As per data compiled by TheKredible, the total EOSP buyback/payout/liquidity stood at nearly $802 million in 2023. In 2021 and 2022, the buyback amount was recorded at $440 and $200 million respectively.

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