Zepto
Category: AI in Supply Chain / Logistics
An Indian quick commerce and online grocery delivery service that promises to deliver groceries and other essentials in 10 minutes. Zepto was founded in 2021. The company is led by Aadit Palicha. Based in Mumbai, India. Team size: 5700. Total funding raised: ~$2.9B total (all rounds). Latest round: Series G ($450M, Oct 2025 led by CalPERS at $7B valuation). Key investors include CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System), StepStone Group, Goodwater Capital, Y Combinator, Glade Brook Capital, General Catalyst, Avenir Growth.
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Mumbai, India
- Team size
- 5700
- Total funding
- ~$2.9B total (all rounds)
Value proposition
Delivering a wide range of products to customers' doorsteps within 10 minutes, offering unparalleled speed and convenience in the online retail space
Products and solutions
Groceries & Fresh Produce, Dairy & Beverages, Snacks & Packaged Food, Personal Care & Home Essentials, Electronics & Accessories, Fashion & Apparel, Beauty & Cosmetics, Cafe & Restaurant Items, Toys & Games
Unique value
Zepto's primary unique factor is its unwavering focus on a 10-minute delivery timeline, which has set a new standard in the Indian e-commerce market. This is achieved through a vertically integrated and highly optimized supply chain with over 700 dark stores across India.
Target customer
Urban and millennial consumers in metropolitan areas who prioritize speed, convenience, and immediate access to groceries and daily essentials
Industries served
Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce), E-commerce, Online Grocery, Retail, Logistics & Supply Chain
Technology advantage
The core advantage lies in its 'dark store' model. Zepto operates a network of hundreds of strategically located, small fulfillment centers (dark stores) in high-demand neighborhoods. This proximity to customers, combined with proprietary AI-driven tools for inventory management, demand forecasting, and optimized delivery routes, enables them to fulfill orders with exceptional speed and efficiency. More than 70% of their dark stores are now EBITDA positive.
How they differentiate
Zepto's primary differentiation is its speed, with a promise of 10-minute delivery for groceries and other essentials. They have a dense network of dark stores and optimized logistics to achieve this. They are also expanding their product categories to compete on selection and have achieved the #2 position in the Indian quick commerce market.
Main competitors
Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket (BB Now)
Key partnerships
U.S. Polo Assn. - To deliver a curated selection of apparel and fashion items within 10 minutes, Ministry of Labour & Employment - To enhance job creation and connect job seekers with opportunities, Park+ - To offer car care products and accessories for quick delivery, The House of Rare - To expand into the premium fashion segment, Brand Concepts Limited - To deliver luggage, backpacks, and travel accessories, House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) - A unique marketing collaboration to promote real estate offerings
Notable customers
Not publicly available for this B2C company
Major milestones
Became the first Indian unicorn of 2023, Achieved a valuation of $7 billion in October 2025 Series G funding round, Expanded dark store network to 700+ stores across India, More than 70% of dark stores are now EBITDA positive, Became India's #2 quick commerce platform, Filed confidential IPO papers on Dec 29, 2025 for $1.22B, Received SEBI approval for IPO on May 8, 2026, Targeting July-September 2026 listing
Growth metrics
Monthly gross order value (GOV) grew from Rs 750 crore in May 2024 to Rs 2,400 crore in May 2025. Daily orders increased from 500,000 to 1.7 million as of October 2025. FY25 revenue reached Rs 11,110 crore ($1.3B), up 149% YoY from Rs 4,454 crore in FY24. EBITDA improved by 20 absolute percentage points from January 2025 to May 2025, approaching single-digit territory. Cash burn reduced by approximately 65% over the same period.
Market positioning
Zepto is the second-largest player in the Indian quick commerce market, competing directly with established players like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart. It has quickly captured significant market share and is considered one of the top three players in the space with a current valuation of $7 billion.
Geographic focus
Major metropolitan areas in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, with continuous expansion into new cities and deeper penetration in existing ones
Patents and IP
No publicly available information on patents filed by Zepto for its quick commerce operations. The company's innovation is primarily in its operational model and proprietary software rather than patented hardware.
About Aadit Palicha
Co-founder of KiranaKart, a grocery delivery service. Dropped out of Stanford University's Computer Science program to start the venture.
Official website: https://www.zeptonow.com/