Unacademy has announced a Rs 50 crore employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) buyback, offering a significant liquidity milestone for current and former employees. The initiative is designed to unlock value for staff holding vested stock options and is expected to result in sizeable payouts for eligible participants.
The buyback follows sustained growth and strengthened financial performance at the edtech platform, which has increasingly focused on talent retention and internal reward mechanisms amid a competitive market for skilled professionals. By enabling employees to monetise a portion of their equity, Unacademy aims to reinforce loyalty, morale and long-term association with the company.
Industry observers say ESOP buybacks have become a key tool in India’s startup ecosystem to retain high-impact talent, particularly as firms mature and prepare for future funding rounds or exit events. For employees, such programmes can serve as tangible recognition of early contributions to the company’s journey.
Unacademy’s move comes at a time when technology firms across sectors are rethinking compensation structures, blending traditional pay with ownership-linked incentives to attract and hold on to scarce skills.
The Rs 50 crore buyback underlines the company’s commitment to rewarding long-term contributors and aligns with broader trends in workforce compensation strategy among India’s high-growth startups.