Portea Medical, a healthtech startup based in India, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its initial public offering (IPO). The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth INR 200 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 56,252,654 shares worth INR 800 crore. The OFS will see existing investors sell some of their shares. Portea plans to list on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India after the IPO. The funds raised will be used for working capital requirements, repayment of debt, purchase of medical equipment, inorganic growth initiatives, marketing, and general corporate purposes.The requirement for a promoter to make disclosures during and after an IPO, and to comply with various regulations and obligations, can potentially act as a deterrent for startup IPOs. This is because the burden of compliance and disclosure can be significant, and startups may not have the resources or expertise to comply with these requirements. This is especially true in a time when venture funding has reduced significantly, and startups may be looking at an IPO as one of the few options to raise funds. However, it is important to note that compliance with regulations and disclosure requirements is essential for ensuring transparency and maintaining investor confidence, which are crucial for the success of any IPO. Therefore, startups looking to go public should be prepared to comply with these requirements and seek professional help if necessary.