In a series of moves typical of an IPO-bound startup growing into a public market player, quick commerce unicorn Zepto has officially changed the name of its parent entity from Kiranakart Technologies Private Limited to Zepto Private Limited. The change—approved by the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Mumbai. It is seen as a deliberate alignment of corporate identity with consumer-facing brand recognition, a common step for startups before listing.
The name change is more than just a cosmetic exercise. It reflects a broader strategic overhaul as Zepto, led by co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, enters the final stages of preparation for an expected IPO by late 2025 or early 2026.
Zepto Rebranding – Significance
The renaming is in line with Zepto’s brand and business identity which has become synonymous with ultra-fast grocery deliveries in urban India. It simplifies stakeholder communication and improves recall among institutional investors, regulators and retail shareholders.
This is industry precedent. Competitors like Swiggy and Zomato did the same before their IPOs. Swiggy changed from Bundl Technologies Pvt Ltd to Swiggy Pvt Ltd in 2024. Zomato rebranded its legal entity to Eternal Limited but retained the Zomato name for public facing platforms.
Strategic Board Strengthening: The Akhil Gupta Factor
More significant than the name change is the appointment of Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, as an Independent Director on Zepto’s board.
Gupta is no stranger to the IPO circuit having played key roles in the listing of Bharti Airtel (2002), Bharti Infratel (2012) and Airtel Africa (2019). His understanding of capital markets, regulatory frameworks and global investor relations will be a big asset as the company prepares for its listing.
He joins an already seasoned board comprising:
- Aadit Palicha, Co-founder & CEO
- Kaivalya Vohra, Co-founder & CTO
- Anu Hariharan, Founder, Avra
- Suvir Sujan, Managing Director & Co-founder, Nexus Venture Partners
Aggressive Capital Strategy and Fundraising Spree
Over the past year, Zepto has displayed a turbocharged fundraising engine. The company has raised USD 1.35 billion (~INR 11,547.15 crore) across three major rounds:
- USD 665 million (~INR 5,688.04 crore) in June 2024 from Glade Brook Capital, StepStone Group, and Nexus Venture Partners
- USD 340 million (~INR 2,908.17 crore) in August 2024 from General Catalyst and others
- USD 350 million (~INR 2,993.70 crore) in November 2024 from Indian backers including Motilal Oswal and Ranjan Pai’s Claypond Capital
Additionally, Zepto is reportedly in talks to raise another USD 250–300 million (~INR 2,566 crore) in a secondary round. Their intent is to increase domestic investor ownership to nearly 50% from the current 33%, preempting possible regulatory scrutiny during the IPO process.
With this strategy, Zepto is ensuring both capital adequacy and stakeholder diversity ahead of its listing.
Operational and Legal Restructuring
Another major shift in Zepto’s pre-IPO journey is its decision to flip its domicile from Singapore to India, a move completed in January 2025. This reflects a growing trend among Indian startups aiming to reduce regulatory complexity, appease local investors, and gain favor with Indian exchanges.
Financials and Market Context
Zepto’s Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) currently stands at nearly USD 4 billion (~INR 34,213.80 crore), reflecting a 300% year-on-year growth. The quick commerce sector in India—still in its nascent phase—has already crossed USD 6 billion (~INR 51,320 crore) in consumption and is expected to reach USD 25–30 billion (~INR 2.56 lakh crore) in the coming years, according to analysts.
Zepto is in fierce competition with:
- Zomato’s Blinkit
- Swiggy Instamart
- Flipkart Minutes
- Tata BigBasket
This is a capital-intensive sector, and maintaining a robust cash buffer is essential. Zepto’s timely funding and investor alignment place it in a strong position, especially as it targets a valuation north of USD 5 billion (~INR 42,767.25 crore) during its IPO.
What to Expect Next
Kiranakart rebranding to Zepto, high-profile board appointments, and strategic fundraising—suggest that Zepto is operating with IPO precision. While official timelines are yet to be disclosed, market observers expect a draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filing in the coming quarter.
Whether Zepto can sustain its growth trajectory post-listing remains to be seen. But what’s certain is that the company is entering the public market conversation with a bang—and a meticulously laid foundation. For more details related to IPO GMP, SEBI IPO Approval, and Live Subscription stay tuned to IPO Central.