Kissht Goes Public: Fintech Giant Steps Into the IPO Spotlight

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Indian fintech startup Kissht has officially taken its first formal step towards going public. On June 17, 2025, the company’s shareholders passed a resolution to conversion of private limited company into a public limited company, a mandatory move for any business aiming to list on India’s stock exchanges. This conversion marks a significant milestone for Kissht, which plans to raise around $225 million (INR 1,926 crore) through its Initial Public Offering (IPO).

But what exactly does all this mean? Why does it matter? And how does it affect investors, the company, and the fintech ecosystem?

In this article, we’ll not only explain the latest developments related to Kissht but also break down key business and financial concepts such as IPO, public limited company, DRHP, offer for sale (OFS), and fresh issue of shares. Whether you’re a student, a new investor, or just someone interested in business news, this guide will help you understand everything you need to know.

What Is Kissht and What Does It Do?

Kissht, founded in 2015 by Ranvir Singh and Krishnan Vishwanathan, is a lending technology (lending-tech) platform. It uses technology to offer easy and fast access to personal and business loans. Here's what you should know, Kissht offers digital loans up to INR 5 lakhs (Rs.500,000) with minimum paperwork. Alongside loans, Kissht also offers health-related insurance products. The company has raised over $142 million so far from investors like Endiya Partners and Brunei Investment Authority. It competes with other fintech companies like Lendingkart, MoneyView, KredX, FlexiLoans, and Capital Float.

What Is a Private Limited Company vs. Public Limited Company?

Before understanding Kissht’s transition, let’s understand the basic difference between these two types of companies.

  • Private Limited Company: A private company is privately held, meaning its shares are not traded on the stock market. It has restrictions on the number of shareholders (maximum 200). Shares cannot be sold freely to the public. Example: Startups usually begin as private limited companies.

  • Public Limited Company: A public company can sell its shares to the public via the stock market. It must follow more rules and regulations under Indian company laws. This status is a must for any company that wants to launch an IPO.

Kissht was previously registered as OnEMI Technology Solutions Private Limited, but now, after the conversion, it is officially OnEMI Technology Solutions Limited dropping the word “Private” and becoming a public entity.

What Is an IPO (Initial Public Offering)?

An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time. It allows the company to raise capital (money) from public investors. Early investors and founders sell part of their stake and possibly make a profit. The company becomes publicly listed on stock exchanges like NSE or BSE.

In Kissht’s case, the IPO will include Fresh issue of shares that is new shares issued by the company to raise capital for future growth And Offer for Sale (OFS) that is Existing shareholders (investors or founders) sell part of their holdings to the public.

Example: If Kissht needs money to expand its business, it can issue 1 crore of new shares and sell them to the public. At the same time, existing investors may sell some of their old shares.

Why Is Kissht Going Public Now?

Kissht’s decision to go public reflects its maturity, growth, and future plans. The company has shown strong financial performance, which makes this the right time to attract public investors. The company has Net Profit in FY24 of INR 82.46 crore (234% increase from INR 24.67 crore in FY23) with Revenue in FY24 of INR 412 crore (almost 60% growth from INR 258 crore in FY23). These numbers indicate that Kissht is profitable and growing fast which is a positive sign for potential investors.

What Is DRHP and Why Is It Important?

Before launching an IPO, every company has to file a document called DRHP (Draft Red Herring Prospectus) with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).

DRHP Includes: Company’s financial statements, Business model, Risk factors, Use of IPO proceeds, Promoters and management details.  Kissht is expected to file its DRHP by the end of July 2025, as per the news.

Key Appointments and Preparations

To prepare for its IPO, Kissht has made some key appointments and tied up with leading financial institutions which includes Appointed Independent Directors , namely MR. Alok Bansal  Co-founder of PB Fintech (parent of Policybazaar) and MS. Sangeeta Pendurkar  CEO of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail. Along with Lead Managers for the IPO : ICICI Securities, UBS Securities, Motilal Oswal. These firms will help manage the IPO process, pricing, marketing, and listing.

What Happens After an IPO?

Once the IPO is launched and the shares are listed on the stock exchange, several things follow like Investors can buy/sell shares of the company on platforms like NSE and BSE. The Company gets new funds, which can be used for growth, expansion, or product development. The Founders and investors may choose to sell part of their holdings and make gains, and the company will be required to disclose quarterly financial reports and comply with stricter governance rules.

Broader Context of Indian Startups Going Public

Kissht’s IPO is part of a larger trend. Many Indian startups are preparing to go public in 2025. In just the past week, four tech companies filed IPO papers. These include: Shadowfax Curefoods, Pine Labs, Wakefit.

Why It Matters to Investors

Kissht’s IPO could be attractive to investors for the following reasons the IPO provides Strong financial growth and profitability as it is a digital lending platform in a growing market, backed by reputed investors and managed by an experienced leadership team, Industry tailwinds in digital lending and fintech in India. However, investors should also be cautious and read the DRHP carefully to understand the risks involved, such as defaults in loan repayment, changing RBI regulations, or market competition.

How to convert a Private limited company to a Public limited company

To convert a private limited company into a public limited company in India, a company must follow a structured legal process under the Companies Act, 2013. The first step is to convene a board meeting to propose the conversion and approve necessary changes such as removing the restrictions imposed under Section 2(68), which are applicable to private companies (like limiting the number of members and restricting share transfers). In this meeting, the board also decides to call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of shareholders to seek their approval through a special resolution.

In the EGM, shareholders must pass a special resolution approving the conversion of the company into a public limited company, along with changes to the company's name (by removing the word "Private") and alterations to the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) to align with the structure of a public company. After the resolution is passed, the company is required to file Form MGT-14 with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) within 30 days of the resolution, along with the updated MOA and AOA.

Subsequently, the company must file Form INC-27 with the RoC to formally apply for the conversion. This form must be accompanied by necessary documents, including the resolution, altered charter documents, and other declarations. Once the RoC is satisfied with the application and documents, it issues a new Certificate of Incorporation (COI) reflecting the change in the company’s status and name. From this point onward, the company becomes a public limited company and is subject to all applicable legal and regulatory requirements for public companies in India. 

Conclusion

Kissht’s transformation from a private to a public limited company and its move to launch an IPO marks a new chapter in the company’s journey. With a solid track record, strong profits, and growth in the fintech sector, Kissht seems well-prepared to attract investor interest.

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