‘Lots and lots of coffee’: Groww employee recalls team’s hustle before IPO, CEO Lalit Keshre’s old email resurfaces

Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the Bengaluru-headquartered company behind the brokerage platform Groww, made a powerful debut on Dalal Street on Wednesday. As the fintech startup entered the public markets, one employee’s nostalgic post shed light on the team’s relentless hustle behind the scenes.

“Core memory UNLOCKED! Hosting Groww's listing ceremony at NSE and closing bell ceremony at BSE is an experience that'll be etched in my memory for the rest of my life,” wrote Arunima Rao, a YouTube channel manager at Groww, in a LinkedIn post.

She recalled the intense run-up to the IPO day: “For weeks, it was all hands on deck preparing for this moment (think lots and lots of coffee). Though nothing beats the feeling of standing there on the floor at NSE as the clock struck 10, madly clapping but just being overwhelmed with sheer joy.”

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Rao described the experience as “a rocketship ride,” expressing gratitude for being part of the milestone moment. “When I joined Groww I knew that I would be aboard a rocketship. Little did I know that someday I would be reposed with this incredible honour of witnessing, and even being a small part of, this historic milestone.”

She also shared pictures from Groww’s listing ceremony at NSE and the closing bell event at BSE, capturing the excitement of the day.

Also Read: Groww Shares soar 46% above issue price; Market cap nears Rs 1 lakh crore

CEO’s old email resurfaces

As Groww celebrated its successful market debut, an old email from CEO and co-founder Lalit Keshre began circulating on social media. Shikhar Saxena, founder of Binary and SuperDM, shared a screenshot of an email Keshre had sent him back in February 2018, inviting him to explore a job opportunity at Groww. “Good day to remember this email,” Saxena wrote on X. In the email, Keshre had written, “It was great talking to you a few days back. As I had mentioned earlier, now I have a great opportunity at Groww that would be a good match. Let me know if you would be interested to explore, we can talk.”

Saxena reflected on how he didn’t join the startup but became one of its early customers instead. “I couldn’t be an early employee but was an early customer and recommended Groww to so many family members and friends. Heartwarming to see their IPO,” he wrote.

The post quickly resonated online, garnering thousands of views and hundreds of likes. One user commented, “Supporting something from the start and seeing it grow hits so different, honestly—like when you recommend a small café to everyone and then it becomes famous. That full-circle moment is everything.”

Also Read: Groww IPO: Stock broking giant’s parent debuts at 14% premium — Buy, sell or hold? Here’s what Anil Singhvi suggests

A blockbuster debut for India’s fintech unicorn

Founded in 2016, Groww has evolved into one of India’s largest retail brokerage platforms, backed by investors including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. On Wednesday, Groww’s stock listed at a 14 per cent premium to its issue price of Rs 100 per share, exceeding market expectations.

NSE listing: Rs 112 per share, rising to Rs 124 intra-day

BSE listing: Rs 114 per share, up 14 per cent from the issue price

IPO size: $754 million (approx Rs 6,300 crore)

By the end of the trading session, Groww shares closed at Rs 128.85 on NSE (up 28.85 per cent) and Rs 130.94 on BSE (up 30.94 per cent), marking a strong start to its public market journey.