According to an internal memo from Flipkart's CEO, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, the company has announced a new ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) liquidity opportunity for employees.
Key Highlights
- Flipkart launches $50 million ESOP buyback allowing roughly 7,000–7,500 employees to liquidate vested stock.
- Employees can sell up to 5% vested options at $174.32 each, with payouts scheduled for August 2025.
According to the note, on July 5, 2025, eligible employees will be able to sell up to 5% of their vested ESOPs for a $174.32 buyback per option. The Flipkart Stock Option Plan 2012 will pay out in August 2025.
The ESOP buyback is expected to cost $50 million, while the liquidity program will benefit 7,000-7,500 employees. Flipkart is currently worth around $36 billion.
Krishnamurthy also stated that if key performance goals are met by the end of 2025, an additional 5% liquidity window may open in early 2026.
This announcement comes after Flipkart's record $700 million payout to employees in 2023, which was one of the largest ESOP buyback events in Indian startup history.
According to reports, the company intends to launch its initial public offering at a valuation of $60-70 billion. The company's board has already approved the process of relocating its holding structure from Singapore to India.
In 2025, a number of startups, including Darwinbox, Rapido, Univest, Deserve, and Even Healthcare, will have implemented ESOP buyback, liquidity, and payout programs worth approximately $67 million. In 2024, more than 20 startups will invest $200 million.
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The ESOP buyback or liquidity amount was $802 million in 2023, $440 million in 2021, and $200 million in 2022, according to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible.
