Austere System BSE SME IPO review

•    The company is operating in an overcrowded segment of IT solutions and related services.
•    It marked inconsistency in its top and bottom lines for the reported periods.
•    The boosted bottom lines from FY24 onward raises eyebrows and concern over its sustainability.
•    It is operating in a highly competitive and fragmented segment.
•    Based on its recent financial data, the issue appears fully priced. 
•    Only well-informed/cash surplus investors may park moderate funds for medium term, others may stay away.

ABOUT COMPANY:
Austere Systems Ltd. (ASL) specializes in an extensive array of services, including software development, Software as a Service (SaaS), mobile application development, information technology solutions, database management, IT enabled services, training and development, web development, web and portal operations, e-commerce platforms, ERP and MIS solutions, Data Analytics and AI Services, Process automation, Digital Transformation as well as data and document management storage. 

It is also engaged in reselling software products and providing business process outsourcing and knowledge management solutions, alongside IT consulting and advisory services. Strategically, it focuses on global and Indian clients in which it serves both private and in government sector, in which ASL serves the largely underserved rural markets in India—an area often overlooked by other IT firms. By forging collaborative partnerships with state governments and gram panchayats across various regions, it is dedicated to delivering customized IT solutions that effectively address the unique needs and challenges faced by these communities. The Company is an AWS public partner to provide cloud services to clients. As of July 31, 2025, it had 123 employees on its payroll. It is operating in a highly competitive and fragmented segment.

ISSUE DETAILS/CAPITAL HISTORY:
The company is coming out with its book building route maiden IPO of 2830000 equity shares to mobilize Rs. 15.57 cr. (at the upper cap). The company has announced a price band of Rs. 52 – Rs. 55 per share of Rs. 10 each. The IPO opens for subscription on September 03, 2025, and will close on September 08, 2025. The minimum application to be made is for 4000 shares and in multiple of 2000 shares thereon, thereafter. Post allotment, shares will be listed on BSE SME. The issue constitutes 27.01% of post-IPO paid-up equity capital of the company. From the net proceeds of the issue, the company will utilize Rs. 11.60 cr. for working capital, and the rest for general corporate purposes.

The IPO is solely lead managed by GYR Capital Advisors Pvt. Ltd., while KFin Technologies Ltd. is the registrar to the issue. Wiinance Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., and SKI Capital Services Ltd. are the market makers. GYR Capital is also a syndicate member.

The company has issued initial equity shares at par, and issued further equity shares in the price range of Rs. 44.97 – Rs. 56.15 per share in June 2024. It has also issued bonus shares in the ratio of 700 for 1 in June 2024. The average cost of acquisition of shares by the promoters is Rs. 0.14 per share. 

Post-IPO, company’s current paid-up equity capital of Rs. 7.65 cr. will stand enhanced to Rs. 10.48 cr. Based on the upper price band of the IPO, the company is looking for a market cap of Rs. 57.63 cr. 

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE:
On the financial performance front, for the last three fiscals, the company has posted total Income/Net Profit of Rs. 15.40 cr. / Rs. 1.77 cr. (FY23), Rs. 18.65 cr. / Rs. 4.15 cr. (FY24), and Rs. 18.86 cr. / Rs. 4.01 cr. (FY25). Surge in bottom lines from FY24 onwards raise eyebrows and concern over its sustainability. (Surprisingly it has given financial data in Rupees Hundreds, which may lead to some confusion). FY25 indicates some pressure on margins as it posted lower net despite marginal growth in top line.

For the last three fiscals, the company has reported an average EPS of Rs. 5.07, and an average RoNW of 33.77%. The issue is priced at a P/BV of 2.58 based on its NAV of Rs. 21.28 as of March 31, 2025, but its post-IPO NAV data is missing from IPO documents.

If we attribute its FY25 super earnings on post-IPO expanded equity base, then the asking price is at a P/E of 14.36, and based on its FY24 earnings, the P/E stands at 13.89. Thus, based on its recent financial data, the issue appears fully priced.

The company has posted PAT margins of 11.52% (FY23), 22.33% (FY24), 21.55% (FY25), and RoCE Margins of 42.80%, 60.05%, 33.12%, respectively for the referred periods. 

DIVIDEND POLICY:
The company has not declared any dividends for the reported periods of the offer document. It will adopt a prudent dividend policy, based on its financial performances and future prospects.

COMPARISON WITH LISTED PEERS:
As per offer document, the company has shown ASM Techno, Moschip Techno, Infobeans Techno, Onward Techno and 3i Infotech, as their listed peers. They are currently trading at a P/E of around 116.0, 81.7, 27.2, 23.7, and 8.12 (as of September 01, 2025). However, they are not truly comparable on an apple-to-apple basis. This compare appears to be an eyewash.

MERCHANT BANKER’S TRACK RECORDS:
This is the 45th mandate from GYR Capital in the last five fiscals (including the ongoing one). Out of last 10 listings, 1 opened at par, and the rest with premium ranging from 4.18% to 90.00 % on the date of listing.