Paytm expands ESOP scheme to $604 million

Paytm has added 242,904 stock options taking the existing ESOP pool to 2.4 million equity options. According to a statement, the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) pool valuation has jumped to USD 604 million (about Rs. 4522 crore) with this addition, making it the largest among all Indian startups.

The statement also added that Paytm is the most valued startup in the country with over USD 16 billion valuation. The company plans to award the expanded stock options to more employees during its annual performance appraisal. To attract and retain talented professionals, Paytm had amended certain aspects of its ESOP policy last year.

A Paytm spokesperson remarked, “We consider our ESOP scheme as a great way to promote the spirit of wealth creation among employees and truly believe that every employee is a stakeholder in the company. Our ESOP policy rewards colleagues on the basis of their overall performance and achievements.”