Darwinbox Completes $10M ESOP Buyback for 350+ Employees

Darwinbox, ESOP buyback, HR tech, employee stock options, startup rewards, AI HR software, Indian unicorn, global HR solutions, employee wealth creation, tech news, HR innovation, talent retention, 2025 business news, startup culture India, KKR investment

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HR tech unicorn Darwinbox has completed a major Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) buyback worth $10 million (about Rs 86 crore). This is the company’s third and biggest ESOP buyback in the last four years, showing its strong commitment to rewarding employees for their hard work and success.

What is an ESOP Buyback?

An ESOP buyback is when a company buys back shares or stock options from its employees. This gives employees a chance to turn their stock options into real money, rewarding them for helping the company grow.

Key Highlights

  • Buyback Amount:$10 million (Rs 86 crore)
  • Number of Employees Benefited: Over 350 employees
  • Global Reach: Employees from 11 offices across India, North America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East took part.
  • Frequency: This is Darwinbox’s third ESOP buyback in four years, and it is the largest so far.

Why Did Darwinbox Do This?

Darwinbox believes that employees who help build the company should share in its success. The company’s co-founders, Jayant Paleti and Chaitanya Peddi, say that rewarding employees is key to attracting and keeping the best talent. They want employees to grow not just in their roles, but also in wealth creation.

“At Darwinbox, we’ve always believed that those who help build value should share in it. Even as we invest deeply in innovation and global growth, we remain equally committed to creating meaningful outcomes for our people.”
— Jayant Paleti, Co-founder, Darwinbox

Darwinbox’s Growth Story

  • Founded: 2015
  • What They Do: Darwinbox provides cloud-based HR software powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Their platform helps companies manage their employees better.
  • Clients: Over 1,000 companies use Darwinbox, including big names like Starbucks, McDonald’s, Airtel, AXA, and Vedanta.
  • User Base: More than 4 million employees use Darwinbox’s platform around the world.
  • Revenue Growth: Darwinbox’s revenue grew by 58% to Rs 392 crore in FY24. The company aims for another 50% growth in FY25.
  • Recent Funding:In March 2025, Darwinbox raised $140 million from global investors KKR and Partners Group to boost technology and expand globally.

Focus on Innovation

Darwinbox is investing heavily in new technology. It recently launched advanced AI products, like the MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server and Darwinbox Sense, its own AI engine with over 40 smart features. The company also expanded its payroll solution to 10 new countries in the past year.

Why This Matters

This ESOP buyback is part of a growing trend among tech companies in India. More startups are using ESOP buybacks to reward employees, attract top talent, and keep them motivated in a competitive job market.

Darwinbox’s $10 million ESOP buyback is a big step in sharing success with its employees. As the company grows rapidly and launches new technology, it continues to make its people a top priority.

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