India’s fast-growing quick commerce startup Zepto has taken a significant step ahead of its highly anticipated IPO. The company has appointed Bharti Enterprises’ Vice Chairman Akhil Gupta as an independent director on its board. This move is seen as a strong signal of Zepto’s readiness to enter the public markets and attract strategic investors.
Gupta is a seasoned business leader known for successfully leading IPOs for Bharti Airtel (2002), Bharti Infratel (2012), and Airtel Africa (2019). With his rich experience in public listings and international partnerships, Gupta’s addition is expected to be a game-changer for Zepto as it eyes a stock market debut later this year.
Strengthening the Board with Industry Giants
Along with Akhil Gupta, Zepto’s board already boasts high-profile names including:
- Aadit Palicha – Co-founder & CEO
- Kaivalya Vohra – Co-founder & CTO
- Anu Hariharan – Founder of Avra
- Suvir Sujan – Co-founder of Nexus Venture Partners
This strategic board composition underlines Zepto’s commitment to strong governance, market credibility, and long-term growth.
Senior Leadership Promotions Signal Internal Growth
Beyond board-level appointments, Zepto has been actively promoting internal talent to senior roles. In 2023, Devendra Meel was promoted to Chief Business Officer, showcasing the company’s focus on grooming in-house leaders. Similarly, Nikhil Mittal and Divesh Sawhney took over as CTO and Chief Growth Officer, respectively.
Zepto’s Fundraising Blitz Continues
Zepto, now headquartered in Bengaluru, India, has raised $1.35 billion in just five months — a testament to investor confidence in the startup. The funding rounds include:
- $665 million in June 2024 from Glade Brook Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and StepStone Group
- $340 million in August 2024 from General Catalyst and others
- $350 million from Motilal Oswal and Indian investors like Ranjan Pai’s Claypond Capital
This capital infusion will help Zepto scale its operations, enhance logistics, and expand its hyperlocal delivery network.
What Gupta Brings to the Table
Gupta has played a critical role in forming global partnerships with major telecom players like British Telecom, Vodafone, Telecom Italia, and Singapore Telecom. Additionally, he has facilitated investments from major private equity firms like Warburg Pincus, KKR, Sequoia, Temasek, and Qatar Foundation Endowment. This network and insight could prove crucial for Zepto’s transition into a publicly listed entity.
Conclusion & Additional Insights
Zepto’s decision to bring Akhil Gupta on board reflects a strategic move to strengthen its leadership ahead of its IPO. With robust fundraising, internal growth, and an impressive board lineup, Zepto is gearing up to become a major player in the Indian stock market and redefine the future of quick commerce in the country.
🟢 For consumers and investors, this is the perfect time to keep an eye on Zepto as it prepares for a transformational journey.
