Started in august 2010 in Noida, UP with the initial investment of $2 million by its founder, Vijay Shekhar Sharma. Paytm began off as a prepaid mobile and DTH recharge platform, and later added data card, postpaid mobile, and landline bill payments in 2013.
3/ The funding
Paytm received its first funding of $10 million from Sapphire Ventures in its parent organization One97 Communications Ltd.
In 2015 for a huge stake Alibaba Group affiliate took 40% stock in Paytm as part of a strategic agreement.
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Ratan tata also backed the company in 2015.
2017 was a big break for the company when @SoftBank_Group invested a huge chunk in Paytm and made the valuation reach $10 Billion.
2019 Paytm raised $1 Billion from US asset manager T Rowe Price and Softbank vision fund.
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Paytm was also backed by Berkshire Hathaway in 2018.
Here's how the shareholder list looks at the present time.
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6/ The growth
The demonetization of 2016 brought a boom in Paytm's business. That was the first time in India when people started to adapt to online payment systems.
And being the lone warrior biggest player in the market Paytm had a huge advantage.
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The punchline "Paytm Karo" became the most catchy phrase in the E- payment market of India.
Paytm kept on adding new features to the app from time to time. UPI, Paytm mall, Paytm Bank, Paytm Wallet, Paytm shopping, Paytm Bank, and Paytm First Games, etc.
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Allowing merchants to accept Paytm, UPI and card payments directly into their bank accounts at 0% charge.
Exciting cashback and shopping offers kept Paytm relevant over time.
With quick transaction time and quality customer service Paytm kept on increasing the user base.
9/ Competition
By the end of the decade, the competition in Indian e-pay market increased. When US-backed companies entered the market.
Being in competition with so many apps Paytm has achieved a decent position in the market.
Vocal for local phrase has inspired people of the country to choose Paytm over the application.
11/ Stats
Revenue -> โน3,281 crore (US$460 million) (FY 2020)
Net Profit -> โนโ2,597 crore (US$โ360 million) FY2020)
User base -> 35 crore (350 million)
12/ IPO
With such a relevant business plan and user base. @Paytm and investors like @AlibabaGroup, @SoftBank_Group, Berkshire Hathaway, and Ratan Tata are planning to raise $3 Billion (approx 22000 crores) by the last quarter of 2021. Biggest ever IPO in India.
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This IPO will embark a new journey not only for Paytm but also for the Indian stock exchange. This is proof that the Indian market can also organize huge IPO's.