Go Digit General Insurance, a young, innovative player in the Indian insurance industry, is making an impressive foray into the Indian bourses amidst much speculation about its prospects.
It debuted on Indian bourses on May 23, 2024, marked by much razzmatazz for a company that has barely turned five years old. This company rapidly captured both attention and respect for the industry, by being backed by celebrity investors like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. This article continues to narrate the history of Go Digit, its most recent IPO, stock performance, and the role which its celebrity investors played in this firm.
History
Go Digit General Insurance was launched in December 2016. The idea of creating this new firm was to be able to simplify general insurance for the common man. Many products comprise health, travel, property, and motor insurances. So far, in all of its business divisions, Go Digit has made a beginning with 74 active products, to underline its intention to remain truly innovative and a customer-first move.
IPO and Stock Market Debut
One of the most awaited forays into the stock markets was that of Go Digit’s IPO, as the company, backed by celebrity investors, witnessed a meteoric rise. A Rs 2,614.65 crore IPO saw it offer a price band of Rs 258-Rs 272 a share. The public offer comprised of a fresh issue of 4.14 crore shares amounting to Rs 1,125 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 5.48 crore shares amounting to Rs 1,489.65 crore.
The IPO witnessed massive interest, with it being subscribed 9.6 times. The retail category was subscribed 4.27 times, non-institutional investors bought 7.24 times their allotted quota and qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) booked 10.56 times their portion. On May 14, one day before the issue opened, Go Digit had picked up around Rs 1,176 crore from anchor investors that included Fidelity, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and Bay Pond Partners.
Listing Day Performance
Go Digit listed on the bourses at Rs 286 per share at Rs 272. The share price further gained by 6%, trading at Rs 301, 11% over its issue price. These gains are similar to estimates in the grey market, where shares were trading for a 3% premium to the issue price before the listing.
Celebrity Investors: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma
One of the variants in the story is its celebrity investors, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. The power couple invested in the company in February 2020, with Kohli buying 266,667 equity shares at Rs 75 per share, amounting to a total investment worth of Rs 2 crore. She bought 66,667 shares for Rs 50 lakh. During the IPO, their investments had almost quadrupled, showing how lucrative an investment had turned out to be.
Valuation and Future Prospects
The success of the IPO has proved to be a huge value unlock as far as perception and brand value are concerned. The net proceeds from the IPO are to be used by the company for supporting its current business operations and other proposed activities. The listing is projected to establish Go Digit’s credibility and customers for it.
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The Larger Picture: Celebrities in the Market
The tendency of celebrities investing in businesses is not new. For instance, in early December 2023, Sachin Tendulkar-backed Azad Engineering had shares that skyrocketed following listing on the stock exchange. Tendulkar’s investment had multiplied six times, thus showcasing a larger tendency of celebrities increasingly investing in high-potential startups with concretionary benefits.
Is Go Digit a Good Investment in a Competitive Market?
Investing can be seen as a promising opportunity, especially given its innovative approach to insurance and strong market positioning. Despite the high competition in the insurance sector, Go Digit’s ability to simplify complex insurance products and its focus on customer satisfaction set it apart. The company’s successful IPO and subsequent stock performance indicate investor confidence and robust growth potential. Moreover, the backing of prominent investors adds to its credibility and market appeal. However, as with any investment, it’s crucial to consider the market dynamics and perform thorough research before making a decision.
Conclusion
From a start-up to a publicly-listed company is one great testament to the robust business model, innovation in product offerings, and the strategic positioning it has taken. The success in performance of the IPO and the following movement of the stock in the market underlines the confidence that the market vests on the future of Go Digit. That more so because high-profile investors like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma mean the company is well poised for further growth and success.
The moves it takes in expanding its footprints in the insurance sector are bound to make Go Digit even more interesting. And, the story of Go Digit, as an investor or a customer, or, for that matter, an observer, is one of ambition, innovation, and strategic forethought.
Disclaimer
The piece has been written with inputs from Moneycontrol