Deepinder Goyal to Return Unvested ESOPs as He Steps Down as Eternal CEO

Deepinder Goyal Returns Unvested ESOPs as He Steps Down as Eternal CEO.

Deepinder Goyal, founder of Eternal—the parent company of Zomato—has announced that all his unvested ESOPs will revert to the company’s pool as he steps down as Group CEO.

In a letter to shareholders on January 21, Goyal said the move is intended to support long-term leadership and avoid extra dilution for shareholders. “This ensures Eternal continues to offer meaningful wealth-creation opportunities for its next generation of leaders, while strengthening retention without incremental shareholder dilution,” he wrote.

Goyal stressed that stepping down does not diminish his commitment to the company. “My financial future remains meaningfully tied to Eternal, and my incentives remain aligned with long-term shareholder value creation,” he said.

The leadership transition sees Albinder Singh Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit, taking over as Eternal’s CEO from February 1, 2026, while Goyal moves into the role of Vice Chairman and continues on the board.