ESOP Trust Formation & Trustee Services

Set Up, Govern, and Operate Your ESOP Trust with Confidence

For many Indian companies — especially those preparing for listing, buybacks, liquidity events - ESOP Trusts offer greater control, tax efficiency, and strategic flexibility. Qapita helps you set up and manage SEBI- and Companies Act-compliant ESOP Trusts, and provides end-to-end trustee services to help you execute grants, manage transactions, and maintain strong governance over your equity plans.

Recognized as a Global Leader on G2

We are ranked the best in Customer Satisfaction, Enterprise and Mid-Market.

Get It Right from the Start

Set up your cap table in minutes and establish a foundation that supports every stage of your growth. Model your first fundraise and understand how investor term sheets affect dilution. Qapita makes it easy to simulate outcomes and make informed equity decisions early.

Scale and Grow

As your company grows, your equity stack gets more complex. Qapita supports it all – options, SAFEs, preferred stock, warrants – with built-in workflows for board consents, investor updates, and structured governance. Every stakeholder stays aligned.

Stay compliant and confident

From valuations to filings, Qapita ensures your equity data is audit-ready and securely accessible to the right people. Manage 409A valuations, 83(b) elections, and reporting requirements with confidence – and stay ready for diligence at any moment.
Benefits

From Agent to Lead, every role gets the tools to thrive

Traditional QA methods are time-consuming and limited, providing only partial insights that slow down feedback or consistent, data-driven improvements.
Trust Formation and Legal Structuring

From Draft to Deed — We Help You SetIt Up Right

We work with your legal counsel or ours to draft your ESOP Trust Deed, aligned with your company’s goals, shareholder agreements, and governance structure. Whether you’re a startup, unlisted public company, or listed entity under SEBI Regulations, we tailor the trust model to meet your needs.
Comparison: Trust vs Direct Route Advisory

Helping You Decide if a Trust Is Right for You

Qapita helps you assess whether your equity program should be operated through a Trust or via a Direct Grant. We model the tax, accounting, and operational implications of both, factoring in upcoming buybacks, liquidity plans, and IPO timelines — so you make an informed, future-ready choice. Pros and Cons of a Trust Structure are discussed in detail.
Regulatory Compliance and Governance Support

Meet Every Filing and Disclosure Obligation with Ease

Qapita ensures your trust is compliant with the Companies Act, SEBI LODR (for listed companies), and Income Tax Act requirements. We guide you on annual filings, disclosures, related party approvals, and trust-level audits — so that your ESOP Trust stands up to scrutiny.
Trustee Appointment and Management

Professional Trusteeship, Built for Scale

Qapita can serve as a professional trustee or help onboard one from our curated network. We offer trustee services that are independent, accountable, and aligned with your board’s fiduciary responsibilities — with a focus on operational simplicity and legal rigor.
Trust Funding, Share Holding & Accounting

Support for Cash, Primary, or Secondary Structures

Whether your trust is funded via cash, primary share infusion, or secondary purchase, Qapita supports complete documentation, approvals, and accounting. We ensure that every step — from fund flow to share allocation — is recorded, auditable, and compliant.
Trust-Led Liquidity and Buyback Execution

Use the Trust as a Strategic Vehicle

We help you leverage the ESOP Trust for buybacks, surrenders, and pre-IPO liquidity programs — including valuation, funding flows, taxation, and employee communication. Whether you’re doing a one-time event or planning recurring liquidity, Qapita makes the trust operationally efficient.
Testimonials

Words From Our Valued Customers

They have extensive knowledge in this space. ESOP Direct guided us step by step through the entire process. We are particularly happy with their alacrity in responding to our queries!
Edward Tirtanata
CEO & Co-Founder, Kopi Kenangan
We are glad to have found a very competent consultant in ESOP Direct. A worthy partner to work with, is what I’d say.
Manhar Kapoor,
General Counsel & Company Secretary, Eicher Motors
ESOP Direct acted as Trustees for our employee stock option scheme. I am fully convinced we have made the right choice.
Umasree Parvathy
Chief Peoples Officer, Northern Arc
They worked alongside with us during the process great example of collaborative efforts to customize an employee stock option plan from scratch.
Yeoh Chen Chow
Co-Founder, MyFave
Their meticulous study and report gave us relevant data to take an informed decision. We are glad we engaged ESOP Direct.
Shailesh Singh
Head HR, Max Life Insurance
We entrusted our complete Plan administration function to ESOP Direct.I wish ESOP Direct greater success in the coming years.
Mona Cherian
President and Group Head HR, Thomas Cook
Qapita Works With Companies Across the Globe From Seed Stage to Listing and Beyond

Set Up Your ESOP Trust With Total Confidence

Form your trust with expert guidance for strong governance and seamless setup.
Testimonial

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Metrics

Helping You Elevate Your Equity Management

Value of Options Under Administration
10bn+
Assignments
1.4k+
Global Employees Served
300k+
Cumulative Years of Track Record
22+
Countries Served
50+
Other Offerings

From Trust Confidence to Complete Equity Control

Cap Table Management

Track, issue, and report equity with a single source of truth for founders, investors, and employees.

Employee Liquidity Programs

Enable structured liquidity events through buybacks and surrender programs, empowering employees without waiting for an IPO.

ESOP Tax Guides

Simplify the entire tax journey, educating employees and streamlining finance team execution across all equity events.
Integrations

Our Integrations

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Cap Table Management—and Why Does Your Startup Need It?

Cap Table Management involves tracking all forms of company equity ownership—founders, investors, options, warrants, SAFEs, convertible notes—accurately and in real‑time. Managing this manually in spreadsheets often leads to errors, dilution, miscalculations, and delays during fundraising or due diligence. Qapita’s platform automates equity issuance, updates transactions instantly, and ensures compliance.

How Do I Import or Migrate an Existing Cap Table into Qapita?

Seamlessly. Qapita supports full history imports or snapshot-based imports using spreadsheets for stakeholders, transactions, share classes, vesting schedules, and convertible instruments. You can map stakeholders and import rows in bulk, then publish transactions to go live when ready. Qapita handles data validation to minimize manual cleanup.

How Often Should I Update My Cap Table—and What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid?

Your cap table should be updated as soon as any significant event takes place, such as new funding rounds, option exercises, transfers, employee departures, or SAFE conversions. Outdated or inaccurate Cap Tables can lead to valuation discrepancies, legal complications, and delays during fundraising or audits. With Qapita, every change is recorded instantly and traceable, reducing typical human errors.

How much does Qapita cost?

Our pricing is designed to support your journey—from early stage to growth and beyond. We offer flexible plans for both listed and unlisted companies. No hidden fees—just unmatched transparency that helps you avoid unexpected pricing spikes. To get a tailored quote, talk to our team or request a demo.

Can Qapita Model Dilution and Equity Ownership Changes in Real Time?

Yes. Qapita lets you run real-time simulations for new funding rounds, option pool expansions, and convertible note conversions. Founders and CFOs can instantly see how ownership shifts across every round.

Get End-to-End Trustee Services for Your ESOPs

Leverage end-to-end trustee services for grants, transactions, and robust compliance.