India’s tech industry, once hailed as a beacon of innovation and growth, is facing a significant setback as two of its leading startups, Byju’s and Paytm, grapple with regulatory scrutiny.

The past couple of years have been a reality check for India’s corporate governance practices, according to Karan Mohla, a general partner at venture capital firm B Capital Group. Paytm, once revered as a fintech success story, has been embroiled in controversy since March 2022 when the Reserve Bank of India ordered its banking unit to cease onboarding new customers due to regulatory concerns.

The central bank’s subsequent audit revealed persistent non-compliances and supervisory concerns, leading to restrictions on Paytm’s operations, including the suspension of accepting fresh deposits.

Moreover, the company is under investigation by the federal anti-fraud agency for potential violations of foreign exchange laws.

Amidst this turmoil, Paytm’s stock price has plummeted over 70% since its IPO in November 2021, prompting major investors like SoftBank and Ant Group to reduce their stakes.

Drastic fall

Byju’s, once valued at $22 billion, has also witnessed a drastic fall in its valuation to $1 billion amidst allegations of accounting irregularities and mismanagement.

The edtech giant, which attracted substantial investments during the pandemic, is under scrutiny following an inspection ordered by the Indian government into its financial practices.

The downfall of these tech giants reflects broader challenges in India’s startup ecosystem. While the country experienced a surge in startup registrations and funding during the pandemic, funding for Indian startups plummeted by 83% in 2023 from its peak in 2021.

Byju’s valuation plummeted by 95%, and Paytm’s valuation decreased to $3 billion, indicating a sharp decline from their previous highs.