Oyo Hotels Faces Another IPO Setback as SoftBank Pulls the Brakes Once Again

Hotel News: Third Delay Adds to Oyo’s Long Wait for Market Debut

Oyo Hotels and Homes, once hailed as one of India’s most promising tech-driven hospitality startups, has hit another stumbling block on its road to going public. The company has now postponed its much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) for the third time since 2021. This latest delay, according to insiders and reports from Bloomberg, comes in the wake of strong opposition from its largest investor, the Japanese investment powerhouse SoftBank Group, and amid persistent market volatility.

The planned IPO, which was originally scheduled for October 2024, is now being reconsidered for a potential launch as late as March 2026. While Oyo’s management eyes a hopeful valuation exceeding US$7 billion, down from the once-lofty target of US$12 billion in 2021, concerns about its financial readiness have prompted SoftBank to push for a more cautious approach. This Hotel News report highlights that the current stance of SoftBank plays a critical role in determining when the IPO will eventually proceed. The fund reportedly holds a 40.5% stake in Oyo, giving it substantial sway over board decisions and investor sentiment.

Agarwal’s Race Against a Loan Deadline

At the center of the IPO saga is Oyo’s founder and CEO, Ritesh Agarwal, who has been aggressively pushing for a speedy listing. Agarwal’s urgency is linked to a restructured US$2.2 billion loan he secured in 2019 to increase his personal stake in the company. The loan, personally guaranteed by SoftBank’s founder Masayoshi Son, comes with tight repayment deadlines. The first installment, amounting to US$383 million, was due in December 2024. However, reports suggest lenders may allow some leeway if Oyo proceeds with a listing within the current financial year.

SoftBank’s dilemma is multifaceted. While it has voiced concern about the company’s weak earnings and ongoing losses in earlier quarters, its close financial entanglement with Agarwal’s personal loan complicates its public stance. Despite these entanglements, a spokesperson for Oyo emphasized that Agarwal’s private financial matters remain independent of the company’s IPO schedule and will not influence corporate decision-making.

Oyo’s Financials Show Improvement but Not Enough

In what might offer a glimmer of hope, Oyo posted its first annual net profit for the fiscal year ending March 2024. The company reported a profit of Rs6.2 billion (approximately US$74 million), and projections for the next year suggest further improvements. Yet, these numbers have not fully restored investor confidence. SoftBank, once the biggest cheerleader of aggressive startup expansions, has reportedly become more conservative following a string of losses across its Vision Fund portfolio.

In fact, as early as 2022, the Vision Fund had already marked down Oyo’s internal valuation from US$3.4 billion to US$2.7 billion. Despite a recent uptick in earnings, the startup still faces fierce competition in the budget and mid-market hotel segments, both from local players and global chains expanding their presence in India and Southeast Asia.

New App Launch Amid Delays

Oyo has attempted to counter the negative headlines with product updates and operational expansion. In a recent announcement, the company revealed plans to launch a dedicated mobile application for its premium and mid-market hotels in May 2025. This move is seen as part of its strategy to sharpen brand identity and customer service differentiation in an increasingly saturated hospitality market.

While Oyo’s financials are stabilizing, industry analysts note that sustained profitability and market resilience will be essential before investors regain confidence in the brand’s long-term value. Many startups in India, including EV-maker Ather Energy and home services platform Urban Company, are also grappling with similar IPO dilemmas amid ongoing global market uncertainty.

Board Has Final Say but All Eyes on SoftBank

Ultimately, the final call on when and how the IPO proceeds will lie with Oyo’s board of directors. But given SoftBank’s massive equity position and financial influence, its support is indispensable for securing institutional investor trust and achieving a successful listing. With the IPO now potentially pushed to 2026, it remains to be seen whether SoftBank will use its leverage to strike a better balance between company performance and founder obligations.

The tangled relationship between SoftBank and Agarwal has introduced unusual complexities into what should be a straightforward corporate listing process. For now, Oyo continues to walk a tightrope between founder ambition, investor caution, and market timing. And while its financial trajectory may be turning a corner, the road to Wall Street remains an uphill climb.

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