Deepak Khetan (GlobalBees): 10 Key Things You Must Know

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Overview

Deepak Khetan is a distinguished Indian financial executive, renowned primarily for his significant leadership roles in various prominent companies, including GlobalBees and Astrotalk. With a career spanning over two decades, he has established himself as a pivotal figure in finance, strategy, and corporate development across sectors such as e-commerce, financial services, and consumer tech. Khetan’s expertise in managing complex financial operations, preparing companies for IPOs, and driving strategic investments marks him as a noteworthy personality in India's corporate landscape. This article uncovers 10 interesting facts about Deepak Khetan, highlighting his career achievements, leadership style, and influence on innovative business models like the Thrasio-inspired GlobalBees.

1. Chartered Accountant with Top Credentials

Deepak Khetan is a chartered accountant who secured All India Rank 1 in the CA examination, a rare and prestigious achievement that underscores his strong academic and professional foundation. Beyond his CA qualification, he holds additional certifications including the CFA from the CFA Institute and credentials from GARP, USA. These qualifications have equipped him with broad technical expertise in finance, risk management, and investment, which have been cornerstones of his successful career in various financial leadership roles.

2. Co-Founder and CFO of GlobalBees

Khetan is a co-founder and the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of GlobalBees, a Delhi-based e-commerce company founded in 2021 that operates on a business model inspired by Thrasio, the US leader in Amazon brand aggregations. GlobalBees focuses on acquiring and scaling promising Indian e-commerce brands across diverse categories like beauty, home essentials, fashion jewelry, and nutrition. Under his financial leadership, the company successfully implemented funding strategies and corporate development initiatives, driving rapid growth in a burgeoning marketplace.

3. Extensive Experience in Financial Services

Before his entrepreneurial venture with GlobalBees, Khetan held senior leadership positions at some of India’s most esteemed financial institutions, including YES Bank, ICICI Bank, and Edelweiss Financial Services Limited. His roles spanned investment banking, credit advisory, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic finance. This experience helped build his expertise in managing complex transactions, capital raising, and corporate restructuring on both national and cross-border fronts.

4. Transition to Astrotalk as CFO

In 2025, Deepak Khetan was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of Astrotalk, a rapidly growing online astrology platform based in Noida. His appointment came as part of the company's preparations for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) targeted within two years. In this role, he is responsible for financial planning, risk management, compliance, investor relations, and strengthening the company’s financial architecture to support international growth and sustained expansion.

5. Driving IPO Readiness with Astrotalk

Deepak Khetan’s CFO role at Astrotalk centers around one of the most critical phases of the company’s growth: preparing for a public listing. This involves implementing rigorous financial systems and discipline, ensuring airtight compliance, and working with investors to boost confidence in the company's governance. Astrotalk, under his financial stewardship, aims for a valuation north of $1 billion as it plans its Series B funding round and expansion into new geographies.

6. Advocate of the Thrasio Model in India

Inspired by the success of Thrasio Holdings in the U.S., which specializes in acquiring and scaling Amazon marketplace brands, Deepak Khetan helped pioneer an Indian adaptation of this model through GlobalBees. This approach is novel in India and focuses on partnering with brand founders, streamlining operations, and scaling sales aggressively on e-commerce platforms. It represents an innovative trend in Indian startup ecosystems replacing traditional brand-building with powerful aggregation and operational leverage.

7. Diverse Industry Impact

Throughout his career, Khetan has worked across industries such as e-commerce, entertainment, financial services, and more. For instance, he served as the Chief Strategy Officer at Smaaash Entertainment and held leadership positions at Gulf Islamic Investment. This versatility demonstrates his ability to adapt financial and strategic expertise to different business contexts, making him a multifaceted corporate leader.

8. Leadership Philosophy and Strategic Vision

Known for his methodical, strategic approach, Khetan views preparing for an IPO as akin to running a marathon — requiring precision, endurance, and the right team. He emphasizes building sustainable financial disciplines rather than short-term gains, focusing on long-term growth and governance as pillars for enduring corporate success. His leadership style includes hands-on involvement in compliance, investor relations, and financial planning to drive holistic corporate health.

9. Contribution to Startups and Scaling Businesses

Deepak Khetan’s role at GlobalBees and later at Astrotalk underscores his passion for supporting startups and fast-growing companies. By providing financial stewardship and corporate development expertise, he enables these enterprises to secure funding, scale operations, and navigate complex market dynamics. His work contributes substantially to the growth of India’s consumer-tech and spiritual-tech sectors, fostering innovation and market leadership.

10. Vision for Future Financial Leadership

With his move to Astrotalk, Deepak Khetan continues to push boundaries in emerging sectors such as spiritual technology, where astrology and e-commerce intersect. His goal is to leverage his financial acumen to not only guide companies towards successful public offerings but also pave the way for future expansion into international markets. Khetan’s career trajectory reflects a vision for modern financial leadership that balances strategic innovation with disciplined governance.

Conclusion

Deepak Khetan stands out as a leading figure in India’s financial sector, blending top-tier academic credentials with practical leadership in startups and established institutions alike. From pioneering the Thrasio-inspired GlobalBees to steering Astrotalk’s IPO preparations, his career highlights the growing importance of strategic financial expertise in India’s dynamic corporate world. As he continues to shape the futures of innovative companies, Khetan represents a model of perseverance, insight, and forward-thinking leadership. His journey prompts the broader question: how will finance leaders like him redefine growth and governance in India’s evolving business landscape?

References

  1. Former GlobalBees Executive Deepak Khetan Takes Helm As Astrotalk CFO - Inc42
  2. GlobalBees Success Story - ListMyStartup
  3. Astrotalk Appoints Deepak Khetan as CFO Ahead of Planned IPO - Entrackr
  4. GlobalBees Success Story - StartupTalky
  5. Astrotalk appoints Deepak Khetan as CFO to lead financial strategy ahead of IPO - TechStory
  6. Astrotalk, India’s leading astrology platform, appoints Deepak Khetan as CFO - Entrepreneur
  7. Astrotalk appoints Deepak Khetan as chief financial officer - The Economic Times
  8. Astrotalk appoints Deepak Khetan as CFO - StartupNews
  9. Scoop confirmed: Astrotalk appoints Deepak Khetan as CFO as it prepares for IPO - IndianStartupNews
  10. GlobalBees leader to win the race - FounderLabs