Bengaluru: Quick commerce unicorn Zepto is gearing up for a $250 million secondary share sale as part of its strategy to increase Indian investor ownership ahead of its anticipated initial public offering (IPO) later this year. The move aims to raise the proportion of Indian shareholders from the current 33% to approximately 50%, aligning with the company’s goal of strengthening domestic participation in its ownership structure.
The secondary sale will allow existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares for cash, with no fresh capital being raised in the process. The transaction is expected to take place at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with Zepto’s most recent funding round in late 2024. Private equity firms such as Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. and Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd. are reportedly in discussions to acquire shares during this sale.
Founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto has rapidly emerged as a key player in India’s competitive grocery delivery market. The company operates over 400 dark stores across 15 cities and holds a 28% market share, second only to Blinkit. With its IPO planned for late 2025 or early 2026, Zepto aims to raise between $800 million and $1 billion through a combination of fresh and secondary share sales.
The secondary share sale is seen as a strategic move to enhance Zepto’s appeal to domestic investors and streamline its corporate structure. The company recently received approval to shift its domicile from Singapore to India, further solidifying its commitment to the Indian market.
As Zepto prepares for its public debut, the outcome of this secondary sale will play a crucial role in shaping its IPO journey and long-term growth trajectory.
Stay tuned for updates on Zepto’s progress and the evolving quick commerce landscape.
