How Did Temple’s Valuation Double Within a Year?
Temple, the healthtech startup founded by Deepinder Goyal, has nearly doubled its valuation to $375 million following a recent secondary share sale, while also launching its first Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) liquidity programme.
According to a Moneycontrol report, the latest secondary transaction values the wearable technology startup at $375 million, almost twice its previous valuation of around $190 million. Temple had earlier raised $54 million at the lower valuation, highlighting growing investor confidence in the company’s long-term potential.
The latest development also marks an important milestone for employees, as the company joins a growing list of Indian startups offering ESOP liquidity to reward and retain talent.
Temple Is Building a Metabolic Health Wearable
Temple is developing a forehead-worn wearable device that aims to measure the body’s metabolic state in real time.
The device is currently available through an early access programme and is positioned as a wellness-focused product. The company expects a broader commercial launch within the next year, subject to further product validation and development.
Unlike conventional fitness trackers, Temple’s wearable is designed to provide continuous metabolic insights, helping users better understand their overall health and wellness.
Founded After Deepinder Goyal’s Leadership Transition
Temple was founded by Deepinder Goyal after he stepped down as the CEO of Eternal.
Since its inception, the company has focused on building innovative wearable technology for the health and wellness sector. It has been actively expanding its engineering, research, and product teams while preparing for a wider commercial rollout of its flagship device.
The sharp increase in valuation reflects investor optimism around Temple’s product roadmap and the growing demand for preventive health technologies.
First ESOP Liquidity Programme Announced
Alongside the valuation increase, Temple has introduced its first ESOP liquidity programme, allowing eligible employees to monetise a portion of their stock options.
ESOP buybacks have become increasingly common across India’s startup ecosystem, enabling employees to realise value from their equity before a company’s public listing or acquisition.
The initiative also strengthens Temple’s employee retention strategy as competition for skilled talent intensifies in the technology and healthtech sectors.
ESOP Buybacks Gain Momentum Across Startups
According to data compiled by Entrackr, nine Indian startups have collectively completed ESOP buybacks worth more than $270 million during 2026 so far.
Companies that have announced liquidity programmes this year include:
- BrowserStack
- Innovaccer
- CoinDCX
- Unacademy
- Tractor Junction
- Emversity
- Cashfree Payments
- Plum
- Kratikal
More recently, travel fintech startup Scapia also announced an ESOP buyback worth ₹20 crore, reflecting the growing trend of rewarding employees through equity liquidity events.
Investor Confidence Continues to Rise
Temple’s latest valuation increase comes despite the company still being in the product development phase.
The near doubling of its valuation demonstrates investor confidence in Deepinder Goyal’s vision, the startup’s technology, and the expanding global market for wearable health devices.
With commercial launch preparations underway and employee ownership strengthened through the ESOP programme, Temple is positioning itself for its next phase of growth.
What’s Next?
Temple’s jump to a $375 million valuation marks a significant milestone in its journey as a healthtech startup. As the company prepares to commercially launch its real-time metabolic wearable and continues expanding its team, investors will closely watch product adoption and market response. The launch of its first ESOP liquidity programme also underscores a broader trend among Indian startups of sharing value creation with employees while building for long-term growth.
