Mobikwik, a leading digital payment platform in India, has recently received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its initial public offering (IPO), targeting a substantial ₹700 crore. This marks a pivotal moment for the Gurugram-based fintech company, which has been navigating the complexities of the IPO process since its initial attempt in July 2021.

IPO Overview

The upcoming IPO will consist entirely of a fresh issue of equity shares, with no component for an offer for sale (OFS). According to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), the shares will have a face value of ₹2 each. The allocation strategy for the shares is designed to cater to various investor categories: 75% will be reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15% for non-institutional investors, and the remaining 10% for retail individual investors. This structure aims to ensure broad participation in the offering.

Fund Utilization Plans

Mobikwik has outlined specific plans for how it intends to utilize the funds raised through this IPO:

• ₹250 crore will be directed towards expanding its financial services business.
• ₹135 crore is earmarked for enhancing its payment services.
• Additional investments will support growth initiatives in data and artificial intelligence.
• Over ₹70 crore will be allocated for capital expenditures.

These allocations reflect Mobikwik’s strategic focus on strengthening its market position and enhancing its service offerings within the competitive fintech landscape.

Market Context and Timing

The approval from SEBI comes at a time when there is growing investor interest in technology and fintech sectors in India. Mobikwik’s strategic emphasis on digital payments and financial services places it favorably within this rapidly evolving market. The company had previously filed its DRHP with SEBI but withdrew it due to challenging market conditions before refiling in January 2024.

Industry experts speculate that Mobikwik may launch its IPO before Diwali, which falls on November 4 this year, taking advantage of favorable market conditions. The book-running lead managers for this IPO are SBI Capital Markets Limited and DAM Capital Advisors Limited, while Link Intime India Private Limited will serve as the registrar.

Competitive Landscape

Founded in 2009 by Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku, Mobikwik initially started as a digital wallet but has since evolved into a comprehensive fintech platform offering services such as credit, insurance, and gold loans. The company has garnered significant backing from prominent investors including Sequoia Capital India, Bajaj Finance, American Express, Cisco Systems, and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Mobikwik faces competition from other fintech giants like Paytm, which is also preparing for an IPO. Paytm’s parent company, One97 Communications, has filed its own DRHP aiming to raise ₹16,600 crore through a combination of fresh issues and an OFS.

Future Outlook

While specific details regarding the price band and lot size of Mobikwik’s IPO remain to be finalized, the approval from SEBI is a crucial milestone in the company’s journey toward becoming a publicly traded entity. With a last reported valuation of approximately $700 million following a funding round earlier this year, Mobikwik is eyeing a valuation that could exceed $1 billion upon its public listing.

This IPO represents not only an opportunity for Mobikwik to enhance its market presence but also reflects broader trends within India’s burgeoning digital economy as consumer preferences increasingly shift towards online transactions and financial services. As Mobikwik prepares for this significant transition, it aims to solidify its position as a key player in India’s fintech ecosystem.

Imagine a building that’s not just a structure but a buzzing ecosystem. A space where startups, corporations, universities, and investors come together to create the future. This isn’t science fiction; it’s T-Hub, India’s largest innovation hub, and it’s rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship.

T-Hub isn’t just about workspaces. It’s a launchpad for ambitious dreams. They’ve empowered over 2,000 startups, turning ideas into thriving businesses. Think funding woes? T-Hub’s got your back, connecting entrepreneurs with angel investors and government grants. Need a mentor to guide you through the rough patches? T-Hub boasts a network of 2,000 mentors ready to share their wisdom.

T-Hub’s vision extends beyond startups. Here’s a glimpse into what makes T-Hub special:

• From Seed to Scale: Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur with a bright idea or a scaling startup ready to take on the world, T-Hub has programs to support you. From the “seed-accelerator stage” Lab32 program to the “early-stage technology startups” RubriX program, T-Hub provides the tools and guidance needed to thrive.
• Corporate Muscle: Innovation isn’t just for startups. T-Hub bridges the gap between startups and established corporations like Facebook, Uber, and Boeing. This collaboration allows startups to tap into corporate expertise and resources, while corporations benefit from the agility and fresh perspectives that startups bring.
• Funding Powerhouse: T-Hub is more than just an idea incubator; it is also a reality maker. Through initiatives like T-Angel and the Digital India Scaleup Program, T-Hub connects startups with high-net-worth individuals, angel investors, and government funding sources.
• Global Ambitions: Thinking Beyond Borders? T-Hub has you covered. With partnerships across the globe, from the UK government to La Trobe University, T-Hub helps Indian startups access international markets and provides foreign startups with a foothold in India.

And it doesn’t stop there. T-Hub 2.0, their new colossal campus, is a testament to their ambition. This behemoth is not just the world’s largest technology incubator; it’s a microcosm of innovation itself. Universities find a home here, churning out future tech leaders. Foreign partnerships open doors to international markets for Indian startups. It’s a melting pot of ideas, cultures, and expertise, all focused on creating a brighter tomorrow.

T-Hub’s story is far from over. They’re aiming to empower a staggering 20,000 startups in the next five years. With their focus on internationalization and capacity building, they’re poised to become a global hub for innovation. So, if you’re an entrepreneur with a dream, T-Hub might just be the launchpad that takes you to the stars.

Carl Pei said the time came for him to leave OnePlus and focus on other interests, following which he resigned from OnePlus in October 2020.  Since then, Pei had been working on his new startup in the audio hardware sector.  Carl Pei unveiled the name of his startup which is now called as Nothing, on January 27th, 2021.  Since the unveiling of Nothing, Pei’s startup has attracted a lot of attention from Silicon Valley and venture capitalists.  

Carl Pei now seems to be emulating his success formula at OnePlus with his new startup Nothing.  OnePlus is highly customer centric, because as a company they take in inputs from their consumers and adapt them to their products.  Pei seems to be using the same strategy with Nothing, as he invited retail investors to invest in his new startup.  Normally a startup raises Series A funding to begin product development and then goes on to Series B and so on.  For a normal retail investor to invest in a stock, they could only do it at the time of an Initial Public Offering (IPO) at the time of which the company would be valued highly.  However, Carl Pei is letting in investors from the beginning.  

Usually the community has to wait for an IPO to invest, but by that time, the valuation is already high. We are inviting you to own Nothing from the very beginning, at the same price as our Series A, and be on board for the entire ride.🚀 https://t.co/mnQtoiJwOV

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) February 16, 2021

ALSO READ: Alphabet Invests In Carl Pei’s Startup Nothing

This lets the investors be a part of the product development process and makes Nothing more personalised.  Moreover the investors would also act as promoters for the products.  Currently, there are $ 1.5 million worth of shares available.  Users can invest a minimum of € 50 and a maximum of € 20,000.  However, the demand to invest is off the charts and was unexpected as Carl Pei confirmed there was an interest worth of $ 10 million from 8,700 users.

WOW we have just reached $10m USD of registered interest in just 7 hours from over 8,700 people! So grateful for the amazing community behind @nothing ! 🥰🥰

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) February 16, 2021

Nothing’s first wireless earphones will be unveiled in the summer of 2021.  Nothing aims to build an ecosystem of listening devices which talk to each other.  Initial investors of Nothing include the likes of Tony Fadell (Principal at Future Shape and the Inventor of the iPod,) Casey Neistat (YouTuber,) Kevin Lin (Co founder of Twitch,) Steve Huffman (CEO of Reddit,) Liam Casey (Founder and CEO, PCH,) Paddy Cosgrave (Founder of Web Summit,) Kunal Shah (CEO of CRED) and Josh Buckley (CEO of Product Hunt.)  Alphabet’s investment arm Google Ventures was the latest investor in Nothing as they invested $ 15 million.