Le Travenues Technology Limited, the parent company behind the popular travel platform ixigo, has recently granted 211,912 Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) to its eligible employees under multiple ESOP schemes introduced between 2013 and 2024. This significant move aims to reward employees and strengthen their connection to the company’s long-term growth.
Key Highlights of ixigo’s ESOP Grant
Total ESOPs Granted: More than 2.12 lakh (211,912 exact)
Exercise Price: Rs 93 per share
Vesting Period: Four equal yearly tranches
Market Price at Grant: Rs 178.96 per share
Total ESOP Value: Around Rs 3.79 crore
Potential Gain per Option: Rs 85.96
Exercise Window: Up to five years post-vesting
Equity Rights: Shares allotted upon exercise rank equally with existing equity shares
ixigo’s Strategy: Fostering Ownership and Retaining Talent
Granting ESOPs remains a key strategy for ixigo to build a culture of ownership among its workforce, motivating employees by giving them a tangible stake in the company’s success. This strategy has become increasingly vital in India’s growing tech ecosystems, where competition for talent is intense.
By offering deferred but rewarding benefits that align employee interests with firm performance, ixigo aims to improve both retention and productivity.
Strong Financial Growth Supports ESOP Issuance
ixigo’s confidence in expanding its ESOP pool is backed by outstanding recent financial performance:
Revenue: Rs 284 crore in Q4 FY 2024-25, a 72% increase year-on-year
Profit: Net profit jumped over 2.25 times to Rs 17 crore
Operational Growth: Significant growth in gross transaction values and bookings
This robust momentum enables the company to incentivize employees effectively with equity-based rewards, fostering a win-win scenario for all stakeholders.
Evolution of ixigo’s ESOP Programs
Over the past years, ixigo has progressively grown its ESOP initiatives:
Major grants under the ESOP 2024 scheme added about 17.57 lakh options late last year
Employees exercised over 10.58 lakh shares under prior schemes in early 2025, realizing returns on their stock options
The recent 2.12 lakh ESOPs represent an important incremental allocation, enhancing workforce engagement
This gradual broadening of equity participation highlights ixigo’s commitment to embedding employee ownership deeply within its company culture.
Impact on Indian Startup Ecosystem and Talent Retention
ixigo’s approach showcases how Indian startups can utilize ESOPs to compete with established firms by attracting and retaining high-quality talent. When employees gain equity, it fosters a shared growth mindset that benefits innovation and long-term business stability.
Especially in dynamic sectors like travel technology, where ixigo leads, employee ownership models have become crucial in sustaining agility amid rapid market shifts.
Conclusion: ixigo’s Path to Shared Success
By granting over 2 lakh ESOPs worth nearly Rs 3.79 crore, ixigo demonstrates strong confidence in its future, while rewarding its workforce with real stakes in the company’s growth story. Coupled with its impressive revenue and profit growth, ixigo reinforces its status as a leading Indian traveltech platform focused on sustainable success.
This progressive ESOP strategy exemplifies how startups in India can create environments where employees are not just workers, but true partners in innovation and wealth creation.