Bengaluru, Quick-commerce startup Zepto has reportedly paused its initial public offering process and started discussions to raise more than ₹1,000 crore through a pre-IPO placement.
The proposed funding round could value the company at approximately $4.5 billion. Existing investors, including Glade Brook, General Catalyst, Goodwater Capital and Nexus Venture Partners, are expected to participate in the round. Domestic institutional investors may also join the transaction as Zepto seeks to increase Indian ownership before its public listing.
The funding discussions remain at an exploratory stage, and their final size, valuation and investor participation could change. Zepto has not officially confirmed the proposed placement or announced a revised timeline for its IPO.
The reported $4.5 billion valuation would be lower than the $7 billion valuation secured by the company during its $450 million funding round in October 2025. The earlier transaction was led by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
Zepto had filed its IPO documents through the confidential pre-filing route and subsequently submitted updated draft papers in June 2026. Its offer documents provide for a pre-IPO placement, with the amount raised through such a transaction to be deducted from the fresh-issue portion of the public offer.
The company had been preparing to enter the public market in 2026. However, differences between its valuation expectations and the assessments of potential institutional investors have reportedly affected the listing schedule. The company is now expected to revisit the IPO after completing the proposed private financing.
The additional capital could strengthen Zepto’s balance sheet as it continues investing in its quick-commerce network, fulfilment infrastructure, technology and customer acquisition.
Founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto operates an app-based quick-commerce platform delivering groceries and other consumer products through a network of fulfilment centres. It competes with Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and other rapid-delivery platforms in India.
