₹18,000-crore IPO pipeline at risk as approvals near expiry
₹18,000 crore in planned fund-raising at risk. Thirteen mainboard companies are nearing their 12-month deadlines by June to launch their issues or lose regulatory approval.The impending expiry of these clearances, given by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) between April and June 2025, underscores how volatile market conditions are prompting firms to defer listings, raising the prospect of higher costs, delayed timelines and a near-term squeeze on fresh market liquidity.Per PRIME Database, these include the Munjal family's ₹3,600-crore Hero Fincorp Ltd offer, Morgan Stanley-backed Continuum Green Energy Ltd's ₹3,650 crore plan, and Norwest Venture Partners-backed Veritas Finance Ltd's proposed IPO worth ₹2,800 crore.Following Sebi approval, companies typically file a red herring prospectus with the Registrar of Companies within four to six weeks.Sebi regulations mandate that companies must launch their IPOs within 12 months of receiving the final observation letter.
Failure to execute the share sale within this timeframe requires companies to file a new draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), undergo the review process again, and submit updated financial records.Companies let IPO approvals lapse primarily to avoid poor valuations and low investor demand caused by volatile or bearish market conditions. Since an IPO is a once-in-a-lifetime fundraising event, firms prefer to wait for a better market window rather than list at a lower-than-desired price.While the above-mentioned companies have not launched their offers over the last year, the next few months might also not be ideal for them, as market sentiment for IPOs faces a tough test."Allowing Sebi’s observation letter to lapse is effectively a restart of
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