Fintech infrastructure startup Decentro has launched its maiden employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) buyback, rewarding early team members as the company crosses a major milestone—processing more than ₹45,000 crore in annual payment volumes.
The buyback, targeted at employees who joined the company around its founding year in 2020, allows them to liquidate up to 50% of their vested stock options. According to the company, participants are expected to realise returns ranging from 3X to 10X on their original strike prices.
From Bootstrap to Buyback: A Founder’s Milestone
“This moment represents more than just financial returns – it’s a big validation for the belief our early team had in our vision when we were just another startup with big dreams,” said Rohit Taneja, Co-founder and CEO of Decentro.
“Having personally experienced the journey in my previous startup (Mypoolin), from working without salary during bootstrap phases to navigating cash crunches and then finally an exit, I understand the leap of faith that early employees take. This buyback is our way of honouring that faith & also helping unlock liquidity at specific milestones during the company’s journey,” he added.
The announcement follows Decentro’s recent ₹30 crore Series B funding round led by InfoEdge Ventures, and places the company among a select group of Indian fintech startups—such as Razorpay, Pine Labs, and Paytm—that have offered liquidity events to long-serving employees.
Riding the Fintech Momentum
Founded five years ago, Decentro provides API-based banking and data infrastructure to over 1,600 enterprise clients, including NBFCs, banks, insurers, fintech companies, and e-commerce players. Its rapid scale-up aligns with the larger evolution of India’s digital finance ecosystem.
The company’s growth strategy includes a planned jurisdictional flip of its parent entity from Singapore to India within the next 12 months—reinforcing its commitment to the domestic market and regulatory landscape. This “reverse flip” strategy, increasingly adopted by Indian startups, signals confidence in India’s ability to foster globally competitive fintech platforms.
Balancing Liquidity with Long-Term Vision
Decentro’s ESOP buyback is optional, allowing employees to choose between near-term liquidity and long-term equity upside—underscoring the company’s confidence in its growth potential while offering flexibility based on individual financial goals.
“Fintech empowerment via infrastructure has been our north star from day one,” said Taneja. “This buyback is as much about rewarding past loyalty as it is about energising our team for the exponential growth ahead.”
By offering this liquidity milestone, Decentro joins a maturing cohort of Indian fintech players that prioritise team ownership, long-term wealth creation, and sustained employee engagement.
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