AstroTalk joins India’s unicorn club through an employee share buyback valued at $1bn, reflecting a shift towards liquidity events via ESOPs and significant growth in its digital and ecommerce businesses, with plans for international expansion and an IPO in 2027.
AstroTalk has joined India’s unicorn ranks after an employee share buyback valued the belief-tech startup at $1bn, a milestone that underscores how far the company has scaled without relying on a fresh funding round. Smartkarma said the business may actually be worth $1.3bn to $1.5bn, while Outlook Business reported that an earlier investment discussion with Hornbill Capital fell through over concerns about NSFW content. Either way, the company’s rise has been powered by a mix of fast-growing digital services and improving profitability.
The company’s latest valuation also reflects a broader shift in India’s startup market, where employee stock option buybacks have increasingly become a way to reward staff with real liquidity. Industry reports cited by Inc42, LiveMint and other outlets showed that 2025 was a busy year for ESOP monetisation, with thousands of employees across startups realising significant value through buybacks and public listings. In AstroTalk’s case, more than 100 employees took part in the repurchase, which was funded from operating profits rather than outside capital.
AstroTalk says it has served more than 40 million users across India and four other countries, and its financial performance has sharpened the case for expansion. Inc42 reported that operating revenue nearly doubled in FY25 to ₹1,176 crore, while net profit rose to ₹250 crore. The company has also built a second growth engine in ecommerce, selling gemstones and religious accessories through AstroTalk Store, which generated more than ₹140 crore in operating revenue in its first year and has since crossed an annual recurring revenue run rate of ₹300 crore, according to the report.
That ecommerce push is now moving beyond the app. AstroTalk plans to open its first experiential store in Delhi NCR, while scouting larger-format locations in other cities and building an overseas ecommerce site, starting with the US, to reach the Indian diaspora. The company’s next test will be whether a business built on spiritual consultation can translate that online momentum into repeat purchases, offline traffic and a durable international brand. Smartkarma said the firm is also eyeing an initial public offering in 2027, suggesting the next phase of growth could be even more closely watched.
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