As investment tech unicorn Groww gears up for its highly anticipated IPO, the company has made headlines with its staggering remuneration payouts to its cofounders. In the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), Groww disbursed a total of INR 624.6 crore in salaries and incentives to its four cofounders—an unprecedented move that reflects both the company’s profitability and its aggressive growth trajectory in the fintech space.
According to Groww’s recently updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), the payout includes a massive INR 614.6 crore in one-time performance incentives, which alone accounted for over 50% of the company’s FY25 profit of INR 1,824 crore. These payouts come just ahead of Groww’s public listing, positioning the company among India’s most lucrative fintech ventures.
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CEO Leads the Pack with INR 188.64 Cr
Among the four cofounders, CEO Lalit Keshre led the earnings with a total compensation of INR 188.64 crore, of which INR 185.66 crore was linked to performance-based incentives. COO Harsh Jain followed closely with INR 149.58 crore, including INR 146.65 crore in one-time incentives.
CFO Ishan Bansal drew a total payout of INR 136.96 crore, including INR 133.97 crore as incentives, while CTO Neeraj Singh earned INR 151.32 crore, with INR 148.3 crore in performance bonuses. These numbers highlight the company’s internal reward structure tied closely to its profitability and IPO readiness.
Secondary Share Sale Nets INR 81 Cr Each
In addition to their FY25 compensation, Keshre, Jain, and Bansal also earned INR 27.08 crore each through a secondary share sale. In July 2025, the trio offloaded 28.05 lakh shares apiece, worth INR 96.56 crore each, to ISP VII-B Blocker GW, an affiliate of ICONIQ Capital, a prominent global investment firm.
The transactions indicate strong investor interest in Groww’s upcoming IPO and further cement its valuation and trust among institutional investors. These moves also provide partial exits to early stakeholders, a common trend ahead of large public offerings.
IPO Buzz and Fintech Market Impact
Groww’s impressive financial performance and record-breaking payouts are making waves across India’s fintech ecosystem, especially as it becomes one of the few profitable startups heading for an IPO. The massive incentive structure, while raising eyebrows, also signals a shift in how Indian startups are retaining and rewarding top leadership.
Experts note that such payouts, especially tied to performance, are a reflection of how startup founders are being incentivized to build long-term, sustainable businesses that can thrive post-IPO. However, they also warn of potential scrutiny from regulators and public investors regarding the scale of these rewards.
Looking Ahead
As Groww moves closer to its stock market debut, its financial disclosures provide a clear picture of a highly profitable, fast-growing fintech with ambitions to become a leader in digital investing and financial services. The FY25 cofounder payouts are not just compensation—they are a signal of the company’s maturity, profitability, and readiness to play in the big leagues.
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