Astrotalk Becomes India's 133rd Unicorn Via ESOP Buyback, No New Funding Raised
Astrotalk achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) buyback, without raising new funds or adding new investors. The company is now preparing for a potential IPO.
Astrotalk has reached a significant milestone, becoming India's 133rd unicorn with a valuation surpassing $1 billion. Uniquely, this valuation was achieved through an ESOP buyback, where the company repurchased shares from its employees, rather than through a new funding round or the addition of new investors.
Founder and CEO Puneet Gupta stated that Astrotalk does not see a need to raise capital before its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO). He indicated that any pre-IPO funding round would only be considered if prominent investors wished to join the cap table, emphasizing strategic alignment over capital infusion.
The company has demonstrated substantial financial growth. Operating revenue rose from INR 283 crore in FY23 to INR 651 crore in FY24 and INR 1,176 crore in FY25. Gupta projects FY26 revenue to reach approximately INR 1,850 crore. Profit Before Tax (PBT) saw a significant increase from INR 127 crore in FY24 to INR 285 crore in FY25, when excluding exceptional employee expenses related to the ESOP buyback.
Beyond its core astrology consultation services, Astrotalk is expanding into e-commerce. Its Astrotalk Store, launched in November 2024, generated over INR 140 crore in revenue in 2025 and is projected for further growth. The store focuses on gemstones and related products, with international markets, particularly the US, contributing significantly to overall revenue.