Scoop confirmed: Astrotalk appoints Deepak Khetan as CFO as it prepares for IPO

Noida-based astrology consulting startup Astrotalk has appointed Deepak Khetan as its first chief financial officer (CFO), marking a crucial step as it prepares to go public within the next two years.

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ISN was the first to report on Deepak Khetan's appointment as CFO earlier this month.

Khetan, a Chartered Accountant who secured an All India Rank 1 (AIR-1), brings more than two decades of experience across financial services and consumer businesses. He has held senior leadership roles at GLS Group India, GlobalBees, Edelweiss Financial Services, YES Bank, ICICI Bank, and Gulf Islamic Investment.

At Astrotalk, Khetan will oversee financial planning, compliance, risk management, and investor relations, while also shaping broader business decisions. He is tasked with preparing the company for its IPO, driving strategic investments, supporting international expansion, and building systems for long-term sustainable growth.

"As we are scaling and launching in new geographies, our finances have also started becoming more complex. We wanted a strong leader with good pedigree and experience who could handle our finances with airtight compliance," said Puneet Gupta, Founder and CEO of Astrotalk.

"While the IPO is a major milestone, it is only one chapter in our story. Deepak's guidance will help us chart the right course, not just to a successful public listing but to a future where our growth remains steady and strong. With him leading our finances, we are confident and ready for whatever comes next."

Founded in 2017, Astrotalk operates on a revenue-sharing model with more than 20,000 active astrologers and records over 700,000 daily active users. The platform claims to have served more than 70 million customers since its inception in 2017. Its pricing ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 200 per minute.

The startup reported a revenue run rate of Rs 1,600 crore (about $192 million) and posted operating revenue of Rs 651 crore for FY24, more than doubling from the previous year. Net profit surged over ten-fold to Rs 94 crore.

Astrotalk, which last raised $14 million in 2024 from Elev8 Venture Partners at a valuation of about Rs 2,500 crore ($300 million), said it aims to generate 40% of its revenue from overseas markets in the coming years.

“Preparing for an IPO is like preparing for a marathon—it requires precision, strategy, and the right team,” said Khetan. “I look forward to building the financial discipline and systems that will support the company’s ambitions for years to come.”