Whalesbook
IPO Within 18 Months: A Clear Target
Social media platform ShareChat is preparing for its Initial Public Offering, aiming for a market debut within the next 12 to 18 months, according to co-founder and CEO Ankush Sachdeva. This timeline follows key operational milestones, including achieving sustained cash flow positivity for nine months and reaching EBITDA breakeven.
Financial Outlook: Revenue Goals and Valuation
The company projects FY26 revenue to hit around ₹1,000 crore, representing an approximate 38% year-over-year growth. Simultaneously, EBITDA losses are expected to fall sharply to below ₹200 crore in FY25, a substantial reduction from previous figures. April 2026 is targeted as the first month of simultaneous EBITDA, Profit After Tax (PAT), and cash flow positivity. While the company's valuation has seen a correction from a peak of $5 billion in 2022 to around $1.5 billion, Sachdeva emphasized that valuations will ultimately depend on market conditions closer to the IPO.
Strategy Shift: Focusing on Costs and New Revenue
ShareChat's strategic shift is marked by a move away from a high cash-burn model to a disciplined cost structure. Reductions in infrastructure expenses, such as cloud and server costs, have been key levers. The company is exploring new ways to make money beyond advertising, looking into avenues like microtransactions and subscriptions to drive growth alongside its user base. Together with its short-video app Moj, ShareChat has about 200 million monthly active users.
Path to Profit: Investor Support Fuels Growth
With profitability now within reach, Sachdeva described the company's transition from "survival mode" to "build mode." Backed by prominent investors including Google, Temasek, and Lightspeed Venture Partners, ShareChat has raised about $1.2 billion to date. The current positive cash flow grants the company what Sachdeva termed a "perpetual runway," lessening the need for external funding before its public listing. The company views evolving regulatory norms as a necessary framework for building a safer platform.