Leverage Edu launches third ESOP buyback, adds 100 equity holders

Leverage Edu, the study-abroad and workforce mobility platform, has launched its third ESOP buyback programme, extending stock options to 100 additional employees. The move brings the total share of equity-holding employees to 23% of its workforce. The company also reported doubling its operating revenue to ₹364.4 crore in FY26, with EBITDA turning positive at ₹2 crore.

Tarun Mottlia

Editor, Lazyfounder

Published Nov 3, 20262 min read

Leverage Edu launches third ESOP buyback, adds 100 equity holders — Image: Entrackr via source

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Leverage Edu has launched its third ESOP buyback programme, extending stock options to 100 more employees.
23% of Leverage Edu’s workforce now holds equity in the company, up from previous rounds.
The company’s operating revenue doubled to ₹364.4 crore in FY26, with EBITDA turning positive at ₹2 crore.
First ESOP buyback was completed in June 2022, followed by a second in June 2024.

Third ESOP buyback and expanded equity grants

Leverage Edu has initiated its third ESOP buyback programme, allowing employees to sell a portion of their vested stock options for cash. This follows the company’s first buyback in June 2022 and a second in June 2024.

The latest round includes stock options for 100 more employees, increasing the total number of equity holders to 23% of its workforce. This expansion reflects the company’s efforts to broaden employee ownership as it scales.

Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, stated the company is currently undertaking the buyback.

Financial growth and product expansion

Leverage Edu’s operating revenue more than doubled to ₹364.4 crore in FY26, up from ₹173.3 crore in FY25. The company also achieved a positive EBITDA of ₹2 crore, marking a turnaround from previous financial performance.

The company operates across multiple verticals, including Fly Finance for education financing, Fly Homes for accommodation, Leverage Careers for workforce mobility, and Leverage Upskilling for skill development. This diversification supports its broader mission of facilitating global education and career opportunities.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Leverage Edu’s third ESOP buyback and financial growth highlight a maturing business model in the EdTech and workforce mobility space. For founders, the move underscores how recurring buybacks can reinforce employee retention and loyalty, especially in sectors where talent competition is fierce. The company’s revenue doubling and positive EBITDA also demonstrate that international education services can scale profitably—a signal to investors and competitors alike. Expanding equity to nearly a quarter of the workforce may set a benchmark for startups looking to align long-term incentives with company performance.

Key takeaways

ESOP buybacks can serve as a retention tool for startups, particularly in competitive sectors like EdTech and FinTech.
Leverage Edu’s revenue growth and positive EBITDA signal financial maturity, which may attract investors or acquirers.
Expanding equity ownership to nearly a quarter of the workforce reflects a broader trend of startups using ESOPs to align employee and company interests.

More business news

Sources

Entrackr · 2026-11-02
Leverage Edu rolls out third ESOP buyback, grants options to 100 more employees

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