Equity management platform Qapita acquires ESOP Direct

Equity management platform Qapita has acquired a 100% stake in Pune-based equity compensation company ESOP Direct in an all-cash deal. Post the acquisition, the combined entity will manage Employee Stock Option Plans (Esops) worth over $12 billion.

ESOP Direct provides end-to-end solutions for equity compensation to employees. Its service spans the entire lifecycle of employee share plans, from conceptualisation to reporting. Since its formation over two decades ago, the company has designed about 1,000 plans and managed around 500 plans on its proprietary platform, My ESOPs.

Qapita, backed by VCs and investors like Vulcan Capital, East Ventures, and Citibank, will now cater to more than 1,200 companies from India and Southeast Asia. Its employee count will also double from 100 to over 220.


“We are extremely excited about the potential that this partnership with ESOP Direct will bring. Qapita is well positioned to create one unified platform for all equity matters from captables, Esops to compliance and accounting matters, ultimately leading to liquidity solutions. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our investors for their continued support in executing our team’s vision,” said Lakshman Kanamarlapudi, COO and cofounder, Qapita.