• Univest completed its first ESOP buyback worth ₹1.61 crore for early-stage employees.
  • The buyback targeted team members from product, tech, marketing, and customer support who joined during the seed and pre-Series A rounds.

Delhi NCR-based fintech startup Univest has successfully concluded its first Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) buyback, valued at ₹1.61 crore.

The initiative enabled early team members to liquidate a portion of their equity holdings, offering financial returns based on their contributions during the company’s formative years.

Founded in 2022, Univest operates a broking platform tailored for retail investors, backed by research-driven trading and investment tools.

This buyback marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey, particularly as it looks to align employee incentives with long-term growth.

The buyback specifically targeted employees who joined the startup during its seed and pre-Series A phases. These included individuals working across product, technology, marketing, and customer support functions.

The company noted that the move was aimed at recognising their efforts in shaping Univest’s early-stage roadmap.

According to the startup’s leadership, the ESOP buyback is part of a broader talent retention strategy within the fintech sector. Univest introduced its ESOP policy in late 2024 with a focus on providing real value beyond standard compensation structures.

“The decision to offer early liquidity was based on recognising the role of employee ownership in shaping organisational stability,” said Pranit Arora, Co-Founder & CEO.

Other founding members highlighted the importance of rewarding innovation, particularly in fast-evolving domains such as engineering and product development.

With this initiative, Univest has laid the foundation for additional buybacks tied to future fundraising events. The company remains committed to creating a workplace that values ownership, innovation, and long-term impact as it scales its trading and investment platform.

Edited by Annette George