Bengaluru-based StockGro completes second ESOP buyout worth $2 million

StockGro, a Bengaluru-based investment education and trading simulation platform, has conducted two Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) buyouts between 2023 and 2024, benefiting its employees with significant financial rewards.

The fintech startup distributed over $2 million to eligible employees during these buyouts, with less than 60% choosing to sell their vested shares while the rest retained them.

Empowering employees through equity  

Founded in 2020 by former venture capitalist Ajay Lakhotia, StockGro aims to foster investment literacy through an interactive platform that combines education with simulated trading.

The platform serves a diverse user base spanning Tier I to Tier III cities and generates revenue primarily through a subscription model, offering courses in technical analysis priced between Rs 200–400.  

In the secondary transaction StockGro has strategically opted for secondary transactions to enable employee wealth realization. In its latest ESOP buyout, the startup achieved a 100% buyout of vested shares from participants.

Riding market trends and strategic partnerships  

StockGro has capitalized on recent regulatory shifts, such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India's measures to regulate options trading volumes. These changes have driven more users towards equity investments, resulting in a 20-30% increase in user activity in the past quarter, according to Lakhotia.

Additionally, StockGro has extended its educational outreach through collaborations with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and workshops for Zomato's delivery staff, enhancing financial literacy at grassroots levels.