⁣ ⁣‍ Zepto, the Indian quick commerce startup, has ⁣confidentially filed ⁣a⁣ draft‍ red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities​ and​ Exchange Board of India (Sebi) ⁢to initiate the process for an initial public offering (IPO).This move⁢ indicates the company’s⁣ ambition ‌to tap into public markets for further expansion.
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‍ This confidential ⁢filing allows Zepto to receive initial feedback from Sebi without publicly disclosing the details of its IPO plans. this approach is becoming increasingly ​popular among companies seeking flexibility and‌ the ability‌ to adapt to market conditions before a‍ formal public launch.
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The rise of Quick Commerce in ​india

⁤ ⁢ Zepto’s potential IPO follows the triumphant public debuts of other⁣ prominent Indian e-commerce players.Eternal, the parent company⁢ of Zomato and Blinkit, listed in 2021. More recently, Swiggy, which⁤ operates Instamart, went public‍ in November 2024. Economic Times reported on Swiggy’s successful IPO.
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⁢These public market entries are underpinned by substantial‌ private funding rounds. ⁣The quick ​commerce sector in India has seen significant investment as companies ⁣race to capture a growing consumer ‌base.
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Zepto’s ​Financials and Growth ⁢Trajectory

‌ ‍ Currently⁢ valued at USD 7 billion, Zepto has raised a total of USD 1.8⁤ billion (approximately Rs 16,000 crore) from leading investors since its founding. ‌ In ​October 2025, the company secured USD 450‌ million (around ⁢Rs 3,757.5‌ crore)​ in⁤ a funding round led by the california ​Public Employees’ Retirement System⁣ (CalPERS), solidifying its USD 7 billion valuation. Livemint detailed this funding round.

⁤ Zepto achieved⁣ unicorn status in⁤ August 2023,following a USD 200 million Series E funding round that valued‍ the startup at USD 1.4 billion.TechCrunch covered Zepto’s ⁢ascent to unicorn status.

As of September 2025,Zepto⁤ operated over 900 dark stores,reported gross sales of⁣ USD 3⁢ billion (approximately Rs 26,000 crore),and had burned through ​Rs 1,000-1,100 crore in cash.
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Founding and Business Model

Zepto was​ founded by⁣ Stanford University dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra. The company quickly scaled its 10-minute grocery delivery model⁤ across major ⁤Indian cities, capitalizing on the demand for⁢ rapid delivery services. ​ Their focus on speed and convenience⁤ has been a key differentiator in the competitive quick commerce landscape.
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