Gujarat Family Offices Buy 2.6% Stake in BharatPe for ₹179 Cr

In the high-stakes world of Indian fintech, few companies have seen as dramatic a journey as BharatPe. From its meteoric rise to becoming one of India’s most prominent unicorns, to the turbulent boardroom battles that nearly shook its foundations, the company has been no stranger to the spotlight. Now, BharatPe is once again back in the headlines—this time for a quieter, yet significant move that signals a new chapter in its growth story.

In what marks BharatPe’s first secondary share sale in four years, a clutch of Gujarat-based family offices have acquired a 2.6% stake in the fintech unicorn for ₹179 Cr through wealthtech platform Wylth. The transaction not only brings fresh liquidity into the BharatPe ecosystem but also highlights the rising role of family offices in India’s startup investment landscape.

BhartPe: Breaking Down the Deal

According to sources, three Gujarat-based investment outfits came together to participate in this rare secondary deal. Ambition Investment Trust bought 1,700 shares, Cayroz 360One picked up 1,473 shares, while Twinroots LLP acquired 1,232 shares.

The shares were offloaded by Finix Partners, which sold 4,405 shares from its total holding of 27,241. The deal was executed at a price of ₹4.06 lakh per share, taking the total value of the transaction to an estimated ₹179 Cr.

Finix Partners has an interesting connection to BharatPe’s history—it was founded by Bhavik Koladiya, one of the company’s early cofounders and a former director. This makes the deal more than just a financial event; it also represents a continued reshaping of BharatPe’s ownership structure in the post-founder era.

Why This Matters For BharatPe

This secondary sale comes at a crucial time for BharatPe. The fintech firm has been in the process of rebuilding trust and credibility ever since the high-profile governance tussles involving cofounders Ashneer Grover, Bhavik Koladiya, Shashvat Nakrani, and Madhuri Jain Grover.

Now under the leadership of CEO Nalin Negi, BharatPe has been on a mission to turn the page. Negi has not only strengthened governance practices but also expanded the leadership bench, bringing in Rajesh C as head of finance and Himanshu Nazkani as head of investments in recent months.

Laying The Groundwork For IPO

The timing of this deal is particularly noteworthy. BharatPe has openly stated its ambitions to go public by FY27. Earlier this year, CEO Nalin Negi revealed that the company is aiming for full-year EBITDA profitability in FY25, with an IPO on the horizon within the next 18–24 months.

This secondary transaction could be read as an early signal of investor appetite ahead of BharatPe’s public market debut. While neither BharatPe nor Wylth has officially commented on the deal, sources suggest the company is also preparing for a new fundraising round in the coming months.

Financial Turnaround In Motion

For years, BharatPe was synonymous with heavy losses, with annual deficits crossing ₹1,800 Cr. But FY25 marked a turning point. The fintech major reported a profit before tax of ₹6 Cr (excluding ESOP costs), compared to a net loss of ₹342 Cr in FY24. Revenue also saw healthy growth, climbing to ₹1,667 Cr in FY25, up from ₹1,426 Cr in the previous year.

This financial recovery is underpinned by BharatPe’s lending business. The company runs its own NBFC, Trillion Loans, alongside partnerships with eight other NBFCs. By steering clear of the unsecured personal loan segment—an area under intense RBI scrutiny—BharatPe has been able to control disbursal costs and reduce risk exposure.

Its strategic play with Unity Small Finance Bank, where it holds a stake, has further added muscle to its lending operations. The company continues to grow its merchant base, with an average loan ticket size of ₹1 lakh and an average tenure of 11 months, making it a strong player in SME-focused digital lending.

What’s Next For BharatPe

So, what does this Gujarat family office deal really mean for BharatPe? At one level, it provides a long-awaited liquidity event for early shareholders. At another, it signals a resurgence of investor confidence—especially at a time when BharatPe is transitioning from a turbulent past toward a steadier, growth-oriented future.

For the larger ecosystem, it also reflects the growing role of family offices as serious players in India’s startup funding landscape, stepping in where traditional VCs might tread more cautiously.

With an IPO timeline in sight, a refreshed leadership team in place, and a return to profitability, BharatPe’s latest move is less about headlines and more about long-term positioning. The fintech unicorn seems intent on rewriting its narrative—from one of controversy to one of resilience and scale.