ESOP Benchmarking

Design competitive, market-aligned equity plans backed by real data

Equity compensation is one of the most effective tools for attracting and retaining talent, but it only works when it is competitive and credible. Qapita supports Indian companies in benchmarking ESOP, RSU, SAR, and phantom share programs against relevant peer groups, sector benchmarks, and stage-specific market norms. The outcome is structured benchmarking data, market-backed insights, and clear recommendations that help companies align their equity programs with prevailing market practices and long-term growth objectives.

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G2 Grid® for Equity Management Software | Summer 2025

Recognized as a Global Leader on G2

We are ranked the best in Customer Satisfaction, Enterprise and Mid-Market.

Why leading Indian companies choose Qapita for ESOP benchmarking

Get ESOP decisions right from day one

Define your ESOP framework using real market benchmarks instead of assumptions. Qapita helps you benchmark option pool size, grant ranges, and vesting structures against comparable Indian companies, so your first ESOP plan is competitive, defensible, and built to scale without unnecessary dilution or rework later.

Scale ESOPs consistently as you grow

As headcount and seniority increase, ESOP decisions often become inconsistent. Qapita enables you to benchmark ESOP grants across roles, levels, and funding stages, helping you
standardize equity allocation for new hires, promotions, and refresh grants. This ensures fairness, internal alignment, and predictable equity outcomes as your company scales.

Stay audit ready and board approved

ESOP benchmarking supports governance, not just hiring. Qapita’s both India and global focused benchmarks help justify grant sizes, pool expansions, and compensation changes during board reviews, valuations, and audits. Back every ESOP decision with external market data and stay prepared for investor diligence and regulatory scrutiny.

How Qapita ESOP benchmarking improves equity decisions

India-Focused Equity Compensation Benchmarking

Built on regional, sectoral, and stage based data

We benchmark your ESOP plan against Indian startups, VC-funded growth companies, and listed entities in similar sectors. Whether you're in SaaS, D2C, fintech, or manufacturing and whether you're pre-Series A or IPO-bound, and whether you're pre-Series A or IPO-bound, we give you market-aligned insights based on real, relevant comparisons.

Benchmarking Across Key Metrics

Understand where you stand. Know where to improve.

We evaluate:

• ESOP pool size as % of cap table
• Typical grant sizes by function and level
• Vesting periods and cliffs
• Exercise prices and expiration windows
• Performance-based vs time-based vesting
• Buyback frequency, participation, and liquidity norms
• Wealth Creation

You see exactly how your plan compares and where it can be optimized.

CXO and Key Talent ESOP Comparison

Get executive compensation right

We help you benchmark grants for founders, CXOs, and key employees against peer companies factoring in company stage, ownership history, and funding status. You’ll know whether your offer is compelling enough to attract or retain top-tier leadership talent.

Investor and Board-Backed Frameworks

Align your plan with stakeholder expectations

We provide benchmarking insights in formats that can be shared with your board or investors. Whether you're expanding your pool, revising grant norms, or launching a new retention scheme, we help build consensus with data, not assumptions.

Grant Design Optimization

Turn data into action

Once benchmarking is complete, we help you redesign grant guidelines, pool structures, and vesting frameworks to make your plan more aligned with your goals, whether it’s retention, cost optimization, or fundraising readiness.

Deepest Equity Insights in the Indian Market

Backed by India's largest equity compensation dataset

Qapita works with over 57 unicorns and 150 listed companies across India, giving us unparalleled access to real-world data on ESOP pools, grant behaviors, liquidity programs, and plan evolution. This rich, cross-sector intelligence helps us deliver benchmarking that’s not only accurate, but truly actionable. No guesswork, no assumptions, just the best data, from the team that powers the country's most valuable companies.

Testimonials

Words from our valued customers

They have extensive knowledge in this space. ESOP Direct guided us step by step through the entire process. We are particularly happy with their alacrity in responding to our queries!

Edward Tirtanata

CEO & Co-Founder, Kopi Kenangan

We are glad to have found a very competent consultant in ESOP Direct. A worthy partner to work with, is what I’d say.

Manhar Kapoor,

General Counsel & Company Secretary, Eicher Motors

ESOP Direct acted as Trustees for our employee stock option scheme. I am fully convinced we have made the right choice.

Umasree Parvathy

Chief Peoples Officer, Northern Arc

They worked alongside with us during the process great example of collaborative efforts to customize an employee stock option plan from scratch.

Yeoh Chen Chow

Co-Founder, MyFave

Their meticulous study and report gave us relevant data to take an informed decision. We are glad we engaged ESOP Direct.

Shailesh Singh

Head HR, Max Life Insurance

We entrusted our complete Plan administration function to ESOP Direct.I wish ESOP Direct greater success in the coming years.

Mona Cherian

President and Group Head HR, Thomas Cook

Qapita Works With Companies Across the Globe From Seed Stage to Listing and Beyond

Design Competitive Equity Plans Backed by Data

Get real data, insights, and recommendations to attract and retain top talent.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Why is ESOP benchmarking critical for Indian startups and growth-stage companies?

India’s startup ecosystem is highly competitive, especially for senior leadership, engineering, and product talent. ESOP benchmarking ensures that your equity compensation is not under- or over-structured compared to peers. Without benchmarking, companies risk losing talent due to weak equity incentives or excessive dilution due to poorly sized ESOP pools.

At what stage should a company do ESOP benchmarking?

Companies typically benchmark ESOPs:

Before setting up the first ESOP pool
Prior to Series A / Series B fundraising
During rapid hiring phases
Before launching ESOP buybacks or liquidity programs
Ahead of IPO or M&A events

Benchmarking should be repeated periodically as the company scales.

How is benchmarking different from ESOP valuation?

Benchmarking focuses on comparing the structure and features of equity plans against the market, while valuation determines the current monetary value of ESOPs based on company performance, growth, and market conditions. Both are essential but serve different strategic purposes.

What types of equity plans can be benchmarked?

ESOP benchmarking can cover:

Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Phantom Stock Plans

This allows companies to evaluate which equity instrument works best for their Indian workforce.

How does ESOP benchmarking differ across funding stages in India?

Early-stage startups typically offer larger equity grants with longer vesting periods, while late-stage companies focus on retention-oriented grants and liquidity. Benchmarking adjusts for company stage, sector, headcount, and funding maturity to ensure comparisons are relevant and accurate.

How does ESOP benchmarking help with talent acquisition and retention?

Benchmarking ensures your equity offers are competitive with peers and market norms. When equity compensation is perceived as fair and aligned with expectations, it enhances your employer value proposition, making it easier to attract top candidates and retain key talent in a competitive Indian labour market.

Design competitive, market-aligned equity plans backed by real data

Recognized as a Global Leader on G2