Can Astrotalk Chart A Future Beyond Astrology?

Astrotalk, an Indian startup, recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the country's 133rd unicorn. The company's $1 billion valuation was reached through an ESOP buyback, where employees sold their shares back to the company. This rarity in the startup ecosystem showcases the wealth created for employees and demonstrates the company's internal valuation process as it prepares for a potential IPO.

While the startup has been in talks about raising $50 million at a unicorn valuation, no round has been finalized yet. Astrotalk's CEO, Puneet Gupta, affirmed that the company does not need external funding before its IPO. Instead, the company plans to fund its growth internally, giving it a strong position and allowing it to control the names on the cap table rather than merely the capital.

In FY23, Astrotalk's operating revenue was ₹283 crore, but it quadrupled within two years, reaching ₹1,176 crore in FY25. However, expenses also rose, leading to a decrease in profit after tax (PAT) from ₹85.5 crore in FY24 to ₹33 crore in FY25. This was due to increased spending in technology, operations, marketing, and employee costs. The company attributes part of the growth to exceptional employee expenses, including buybacks.

Astrotalk has expanded its offerings beyond astrology consultations, venturing into the retail and ecommerce space. In FY25, the company generated ₹285 crore in profit from these new ventures. With an average order value of ₹210, the core business accounted for 65% of revenue, primarily from consultation inquiries related to marriage. Women make up 60% of the company's customer base, with the primary age group being 25 to 35 years old.

The company's fastest-growing segment is its Astrotalk Store, launched in November 2024. Within a short period, the store has achieved remarkable growth, with revenue crossing ₹140 crore in 2025 and an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of over ₹200 crore. The store now processes more than 1.6 million orders monthly, with a daily GMV run rate of approximately ₹1 crore.