From Zomato Employee to Entrepreneur: Akriti Chopra’s Rs 149 Crore ESOP Success Story

Akriti Chopra is an inspiration for anyone who dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. She is a former employee of Zomato, a leading food delivery and restaurant discovery platform in India. Akriti is now the founder of an exciting new venture called EasyRewardz, a customer engagement and loyalty platform that helps businesses improve customer satisfaction and retention.

Akriti started her career with Zomato as a business development executive in 2012, shortly after completing her MBA. She quickly rose through the ranks and became a crucial member of the Zomato team, leading various initiatives and spearheading the company’s expansion in new markets. During her time at Zomato, Akriti received an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which allowed her to purchase Zomato’s shares at a discounted price. ESOPs are a common practice in startups and are designed to incentivize employees by offering them a stake in the company’s success. The value of these shares can increase significantly over time, and employees can earn a substantial amount of money if the company goes public or is acquired.

In July 2021, Zomato went public, and Akriti’s ESOP shares were worth over Rs 149 crore ($20 million). This windfall provided Akriti with the financial freedom to pursue her dream of starting her own company. EasyRewardz, Akriti’s new venture, is already making waves in the Indian market. The platform helps businesses engage with their customers and build long-lasting relationships through loyalty programs, rewards, and personalized offers. EasyRewardz has already partnered with several top-tier brands in India, including Vodafone, Tata, and HDFC Bank.

Her journey is an inspiration for anyone who wants to achieve their goals and dreams, and it shows that with the right mindset and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.

Re-reported from the story originally published in News 18