Shadowfax IPO Review 2026: Business Model, Financials, GMP, Valuations, Risks & Key Facts
Shadowfax IPO review covering business model, financials, valuation, GMP, peer comparison ...
Artificial Intelligence has moved from boardroom slides to real budgets. Global enterprises are no longer asking if they should use AI, but where it actually delivers outcomes.
Against this backdrop, enters the public markets. Unlike consumer-facing AI stories or pure software platforms, Fractal sits in a quieter but critical space: helping large enterprises use data and AI to make better decisions.
This IPO review looks past the AI buzzwords and focuses on how Fractal really makes money, what the numbers say, and where the long-term execution risks lie - to help investors assess whether this kind of enterprise AI business fits their portfolio approach.
| Company Name | Fractal Analytics Limited |
| Issue Type | Bookbuilding IPO |
| IPO Structure | Fresh Issue + Offer for Sale |
| Issue Size | ~₹2,834 Cr |
| Fresh Issue | ~₹1,023 Cr |
| Offer for Sale | ~₹1,810 Cr |
| Face Value | ₹1 per share |
| Price Band | ₹857 to ₹900 |
| Lot Size | 16 shares |
| Listing Exchanges | BSE, NSE |
| IPO Opens | Mon, Feb 9, 2026 |
| IPO Closes | Wed, Feb 11, 2026 |
| Listing Date (Tentative) | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 |
| Market Cap (Pre-IPO) | ~₹15,474 Cr |
| QIB Shares Offered | Not less than 75% of the Net Offer |
| Retail Shares Offered | Not more than 10% of the Net Offer |
| NII Shares Offered | Not more than 15% of the Net Offer |
| Application | Lots | Shares | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail (Minimum) | 1 | 16 | 14,400 |
| Retail (Maximum) | 13 | 208 | 1,87,200 |
| S-HNI (Minimum) | 14 | 224 | 2,01,600 |
| S-HNI (Maximum) | 69 | 1,104 | 9,93,600 |
| B-HNI (Minimum) | 70 | 1,120 | 10,08,000 |
| Stock / IPO | IPO GMP | IPO Price | Indicative Listing Gain* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractal Analytics | ₹57 | ₹900 | ~6.3% |
Note: Grey Market Premium (GMP) is an unofficial indicator driven by short-term sentiment. It does not reflect business quality, execution capability, or long-term return potential - especially for enterprise technology companies.
| IPO Opens | Mon, Feb 9, 2026 |
| IPO Closes | Wed, Feb 11, 2026 |
| Allotment | Thu, Feb 12, 2026 |
| Refunds | Fri, Feb 13, 2026 |
| Credit of Shares | Fri, Feb 13, 2026 |
| Listing | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 |
Founded in 2000, Fractal Analytics is a global enterprise AI and analytics firm. It works with large corporations to embed data science and AI into decision-making across functions such as marketing, supply chain, risk, and customer experience.
As of September 2025, Fractal operates through two broad segments:
Its client base includes global enterprises such as Citibank, Costco, Mars, Mondelez, Nestlé, Philips, and Franklin Templeton.
Fractal is not a consumer AI platform or a pure software-as-a-service company.
It primarily earns revenue by:
Key characteristics of the model:
| Client type | Large global enterprises |
| Revenue nature | Project-based + long-term engagements |
| Pricing power | Moderate, skill-driven |
| Cost drivers | Talent, R&D, delivery execution |
| Scalability | Improves with platforms, limited by people |
This makes execution quality, talent retention, and client stickiness more important than brand or hype.
Enterprise spending on AI and analytics is expanding as companies seek efficiency, personalization, and automation.
At the same time:
This creates a large opportunity, but also means growth is rarely smooth. AI services businesses often see variability in margins and revenue depending on client spending cycles.
Amount in ₹ Crore
| Period Ended | 30 Sep 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 31 Mar 2024 | 31 Mar 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income | 1,594.30 | 2,816.20 | 2,241.90 | 2,043.70 |
| Assets | 2,965.40 | 2,857.60 | 2,392.00 | 2,248.70 |
| EBITDA | 185.60 | 398.00 | 97.20 | 436.80 |
| Profit After Tax | 70.90 | 220.60 | -54.70 | 194.40 |
| Net Worth | 1,957.50 | 1,748.30 | 1,397.00 | 1,339.20 |
| Reserves and Surplus | 1,937.10 | 1,728.70 | 1,380.50 | 1,323.10 |
| Total Borrowing | 274.60 | 266.20 | 250.10 | 325.60 |
What stands out:
| RoNW | 12.6% |
| PAT Margin | 8.0% |
| EBITDA Margin | 14.4% |
| Price to Book | 8.65 |
Fractal Analytics is entering the public markets at a valuation that reflects its positioning as a global AI and analytics services firm rather than a traditional IT services company.
At the upper end of the price band, the IPO values the company at a pre-IPO market capitalisation of around ₹15,473.60 crore.
Given the company’s business model, valuation needs to be read alongside three factors:
| Metric | Pre-IPO | Post-IPO |
|---|---|---|
| EPS (₹) | 13.74 | 8.25 |
| P/E (x) | 65.5 | 109.12 |
| Promoter Holding | 18.19% | — |
| Market Capitalisation | ₹15,473.60 crore | |
Post-IPO EPS is calculated based on the expanded equity base after the fresh issue.
How to interpret this:
In the absence of clean listed peers with a similar AI-services mix, this IPO is likely to be benchmarked more on growth consistency and execution quality than on near-term valuation comfort.
The fresh issue proceeds are primarily directed towards:
The clear lens here is balance sheet strengthening combined with growth investment.
This IPO may align better with investors who:
It may be less suitable for those expecting predictable margins or quick monetization from AI adoption.
The Fractal Analytics IPO offers exposure to the enterprise side of AI - a space with real demand, but also real execution challenges.
Long-term outcomes will depend on:
The key question remains:
Does an execution-driven enterprise AI business fit your portfolio approach and risk tolerance?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Investors should read the Red Herring Prospectus carefully and consult a registered financial adviser before making any investment decision.
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