Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra Zepto is one of the most searched startup stories in India today. At just 21, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra built Zepto, a quick commerce platform that promises grocery delivery in 10 minutes. What began as a simple response to a crisis during the Covid-19 lockdown has grown into one of India’s fastest-scaling consumer internet companies.

Zepto’s rise reflects how fast consumer habits changed during the pandemic. It also shows how speed, execution, and timing can turn a local solution into a national business.

From Stanford to Mumbai

Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra were undergraduate students at Stanford University. Both were interested in technology and startups from a young age. While at Stanford, they worked on small projects and early ideas.

In early 2020, the pandemic forced universities to shut down. Classes moved online. Palicha and Vohra returned to Mumbai. They chose to take a break from college instead of continuing with online learning.

Back home, they saw a clear problem. Grocery stores were shut. Online delivery platforms were taking seven to ten days to deliver essentials. Elderly residents in their apartment complex struggled to get basic supplies.

A WhatsApp Group That Solved a Real Problem

The two founders started with a simple idea. They created a WhatsApp group in their apartment building. Neighbours sent grocery requests. Palicha and Vohra bought items and delivered them by hand.

There was no business plan. There was no funding. It was a service built out of need.

As requests increased, the process became harder to manage. The duo built a basic app to track orders. They named it Kiranakart.

Learning From Early Feedback

In the early days, deliveries were slow. Palicha and Vohra handled many orders themselves. Customers appreciated the effort but gave honest feedback.

People said they would not use the service once lockdowns ended unless it became faster and more reliable. This feedback changed everything.

The founders realised speed had to be the core feature. Convenience alone was not enough.

They rebranded Kiranakart as Zepto and focused on ultra-fast delivery.

Building the 10-Minute Delivery Model

Zepto adopted the dark store model. Instead of large warehouses on city edges, it built small stores inside neighbourhoods. Each store served a small radius.

This allowed delivery riders to reach homes in minutes. It also required tight control over inventory, staffing, and routing.

The model was expensive to set up. It demanded precision. But it worked.

Zepto began expanding across Mumbai and later entered other Tier I cities.

Rapid Scale and Investor Interest

By 2022, Zepto had become a serious player in quick commerce. The company expanded to seven major cities. It built over 150 micro-warehouses and more than 300 dark stores.

In 2023, Zepto raised $235.4 million from investors such as StepStone, Nexus Venture Partners, and Oliver Jung. The round valued the company between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion, making Zepto a unicorn.

Financial data shows that in FY23, Zepto reported operating revenue of ₹2,024 crore with a loss of ₹1,272 crore. For FY24, the company has claimed a revenue run rate of ₹4,500 crore and has said it is close to turning profitable.

The founders have set a target of $200 million in annualised sales by April 2025.

Competing in a Crowded Market

Zepto operates in a tough space. Rivals include Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. The sector is known for high costs and thin margins.

Despite this, investors see long-term potential. India’s urban population is large. Demand for fast delivery continues to rise.

Anil Joshi of Unicorn India has said that Zepto has room to grow, improve margins, and move toward a public listing in the future.

Current Focus: Density Over Expansion

Kaivalya Vohra has said the company is focused on deepening its presence in existing cities. Instead of rushing into new markets, Zepto wants to increase store density.

Higher density means faster delivery and better unit economics. It also helps reduce delivery costs per order.

Zepto has also expanded private label products and improved sourcing for fresh produce. These steps aim to improve margins and reduce waste.

In recent months, the company has invested more in demand forecasting and supply chain systems. These tools help match inventory with local demand.

A Founder Story Shaped by Crisis

The Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra Zepto story stands out because it did not start with a pitch deck. It started with a real problem during a national emergency.

Their age has drawn attention, but industry observers point out that running hundreds of dark stores requires operational discipline, not headlines.

Zepto’s growth also reflects a shift in consumer expectations. Speed is no longer optional. For many urban customers, it is the default.

What Comes Next

Quick commerce remains a challenging business. Profitability depends on scale, efficiency, and repeat customers. Zepto’s next phase will test its ability to balance growth with cost control.

With strong investor backing and a dense urban network, Zepto has positioned itself as a long-term player.

For Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, a temporary break from college became a defining chapter. Whether Zepto expands to new countries or lists on the stock market, its origin will remain tied to a Mumbai apartment during lockdown.

FAQs

Q1. Who are Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra?
They are Indian startup founders and the co-founders of Zepto, a quick commerce grocery delivery company.

Q2. What is Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra’s age?
Both Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are 21 years old.

Q3. What is Zepto known for?
Zepto is known for its 10-minute grocery delivery service in major Indian cities.

Q4. What is Zepto’s valuation?
Zepto is valued between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion after raising $235.4 million in 2023.