e-commerce
GoDaddy initiates IPO
MUMBAI: GoDaddy, the Scottsdale internet domain registration company, has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering.
According to a press statement issued by the company, the number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering has still not been determined. The company announced the filing in a tweet.
International news websites have stated that GoDaddy has notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that it could raise about $100 million in an IPO.
Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup are leading the offering. Among the list of underwriters is KKR’s capital markets arm. He will remain as executive board chairman.
In another recent development, the company also announced that its founder, Bob Parsons, will step down as executive chairman. GoDaddy was founded in 1997 and was bought in 2011 by a group of private-equity firms, led by KKR and Silver Lake, for $2.3 billion including debt.
There have been reports that GoDaddy has reported a loss of $200 million or 79 cents a share on revenue of $1.13 billion in 2013. As of 31 March 2014, it reported assets of $3.25 billion against liabilities of $2.42 billion, including $1.09 billion in long-term debt.
It was in the year 2005 that GoDaddy caught the attention of the world with its racy ads splashed during Super Bowl. Though the brand is known for its outrageous and funny ads in the last couple of years it has toned down its marketing.
It will be interesting to see how GoDaddy will reposition itself post IPO.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
