Customer Quote by Tamal Bandopadhyaya
““A lot of us asked why we weren't pricing it at a premium. We could have got a premium but Deepak said, "leave money on the table for investors. They will appreciate this in the long term." Today, when we have arguments with our promoters, one of the big lessons I learnt from our float is to price an IPO cheap,' Luis said. 'Should we really scalp the shareholders? This is a start-up company. On what basis are we putting valuations? Today they will put a valuation even on a start-up idea,' Satwalekar was blunt in his assessment.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Business Podcast, 2023
Pricing an IPO low can attract investors but may undervalue founders and early shareholders.
In simple terms: Cheap IPO pricing can help investors but hurts founders.
Key Takeaway
Balance investor appeal with founder equity.
Themes
valuation
IPO
shareholder equity
startup financing
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
financial
strategic
When to use this quote
- Founders negotiating IPO
- investors evaluating startup
- board deciding pricing strategy
Key Concepts
Market signaling
capital allocation
founder dilution
Questions to Reflect On
- How can founders protect their stake while offering attractive IPO terms?
- What metrics should guide IPO pricing beyond investor appeal?
A Different Perspective
Low pricing may set low market expectations and limit future capital raises.
