Housing.com CEO Rahul Yadav’s move to give away his personal shares worth ₹200 crore to all the employees could be a precursor to his exit from the online real estate company, according to market watchers.

Industry sources, close to Yadav, said that he may be starting a new venture soon.

While the decision to give away his shares to the employees has been lauded by the employees of Housing.com and several other industry executives, a number of investors and entrepreneurs in the start-up ecosystem are scrutinising the “real motive” behind this.

While explaining the reason behind this move, Yadav said that he wanted to solve the bigger problem of Housing.com and that money did not matter to him at this age. But industry watchers, who didn’t want to be quoted, said Yadav was trying to rectify his image before quitting Housing.com.

“He has a personal wealth of around ₹70-80 crore and that is good enough for starting a new venture. He wants investors to believe in him. He doesn’t want to restart with a dented image,” said a Bengaluru-based consultant for start-ups. Yadav had recently written a scathing resignation letter and then withdrew it.

Struggling time Mumbai-based Housing.com is struggling to earn revenues and has burnt more than required cash in advertising and campaigns. Besides, about six of the co-founders have quit.

Last year, the start-up landed a $90-million (₹550 crore) investment from Japan's Soft Bank, leading to a valuation of ₹1,500 crore. Of this, the company has already burnt over ₹200 crore in campaigns and leasing office space.

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