In a noteworthy achievement within the Indian startup ecosystem, Zepto, the rapid grocery delivery platform, announced on Friday that it has secured $200 million in fresh funding at an impressive valuation of $1.4 billion. This landmark valuation makes Zepto the first startup in India to surpass the billion-dollar mark in nearly a year.
Despite the challenging capital market conditions, Zepto successfully secured the funds from reputable U.S.-based investment firms StepStone Group and Goodwater Capital. Notably, existing investors, including Nexus Venture Partners, Glade Brook Capital, and Lachy Groom, also participated in this funding round, indicating strong investor confidence in the startup’s growth potential.
Zepto, founded in 2021 by two enterprising 19-year-old Stanford dropouts, has swiftly positioned itself within the competitive quick commerce sector, promising grocery deliveries within an astonishing 10 minutes. In a market where speed is a key differentiator, Zepto stands out with an average delivery time of just 13 minutes, setting a new benchmark even among its peers, such as Swiggy and Blinkit, both backed by SoftBank.
While Swiggy, one of Zepto’s competitors, gears up for a stock market listing in the coming year, Zepto’s focus is directed towards strengthening its presence in the seven Indian metros it currently serves, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. With a monthly revenue ranging between $50 million and $60 million in these metros, Zepto’s CEO Aadit Palicha articulated the company’s disciplined approach: “Operating in a bear market has forced us to be more disciplined. There is no (question of) growth or profit, it has to be both.”
Palicha also revealed Zepto’s future plans, including an anticipated initial public offering (IPO) in 2025. Despite its current status as a loss-making entity, Zepto is determined to attain profitability within 12 to 15 months, driven by the cash generation from its strategically positioned “dark stores” – warehouses designed for efficient order fulfillment.
As a testament to its remarkable growth trajectory, Zepto’s valuation has surged from $900 million during its previous funding round in May 2022 to the current $1.4 billion. The company boasts a threefold increase in sales year-on-year and is on track to achieve $1 billion in annualized sales over the next few quarters.
Zepto’s strategic financial move was guided by investment bank Avendus, which advised the startup on its latest fundraising endeavor. Despite the economic challenges, Zepto’s success story underscores the resilience and innovative drive of India’s startup ecosystem, as it continues to attract significant investments and rewrite industry norms.
