Archive · 24 Nov 2025
New Age IPOs Struggle to Sustain Profitability Post-Debut
Recently, many new companies have started selling shares to the public for the first time, called an IPO.
Companies like Lenskart and PhysicsWallah became profitable just before or after their IPO.
However, most of these companies struggle to keep making profits afterward.
Experts say this happens because these companies might use special accounting methods to look profitable on paper before the IPO.
After becoming public, they face more rules and costs, which can make it harder to stay profitable.
Investors are advised to look beyond just the headline numbers and see if the company can keep growing without the IPO hype.
New age companies like Lenskart and PhysicsWallah turned profitable just before or after their IPO debut.
Many of these companies struggle to maintain profitability post-IPO due to accounting adjustments and operational realities.
Market participants criticize these startups for using 'accounting tricks' to show profitability on paper.
Experts highlight that startups often prioritize growth over profitability before listing, leading to challenges post-IPO.
Post-IPO, companies face elevated compliance and governance costs, eroding thin margins and limiting revenue growth.
- Who
- New age companies like Lenskart Solutions, Pine Labs, PhysicsWallah, Urban Company, WeWork India, and Dev Accelerator
- What
- Struggle to maintain profitability after their IPO debut
- When
- Profitability often achieved just before or after IPO
- Where
- Indian stock market
- Why
- Due to a mix of accounting adjustments, operational realities, and elevated compliance costs post-listing
- Companies
- Lenskart Solutions, Pine Labs, PhysicsWallah, Urban Company, WeWork India, Dev Accelerator
- Profitability Timing
- Turned profitable just before or after IPO
- Market Criticism
- Accusations of 'accounting tricks' for paper profits
- Valuation Concerns
- Expensive valuations, some issues sailed through with QIB push
- Post-IPO Challenges
- Profit declines due to accounting adjustments and operational realities
- Regulatory Standards
- Disclosures and transparency within Indian standards
- Expert Opinion
- Startups need to stabilize business models before listing