Kaivalya Vohra, the 21-year-old co-founder of Zepto has recently made headlines as the youngest person on the 2024 Hurun India Rich List. With a net worth of Rs 3,600 crore, Vohra’s rise to fame and fortune showcases his impact in the fast-commerce industry through his innovative start-up, Zepto.  

Early life and Drop-Out of Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha 

Kaivalya Vohra’s journey to success began with his education at Stanford University, where he was pursuing a degree in Computer Science. Alongside, Aadit Palicha, co-founder at Zepto, Vohra chose to leave Stanford to chase his entrepreneurial dreams.

Their decision to drop out of one of the world’s most prestigious universities shows their dedication to creating something innovative and impactful. 

How was the Zepto startup started? 

Vohra and Palicha launched Zepto in 2021, a startup designed to meet the increasing demand for rapid, contactless grocery delivery that rose during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Their first project, KiranaKart did not succeed due to challenges in finding a suitable market fit. However, the experience they gained led them to identify a gap in the market for ultra-fast delivery services. This insight became the foundation for Zepto, which promises delivery of groceries and other essentials within 10 minutes. 

Rapid growth and market success of Zepto 

Zepto has had rapid growth since it started. The company recently raised $60 million in funding from prominent investors like Glade Brook, Nexus, Lachy Groom and Global Founders Capital. Even though it was founded in April 2021, Zepto is already valued between $200 and $300 million. 

What is Zepto’s business model? 

Zepto operates on a ‘dark store’ model, which involves creating delivery-only warehouse-style stores in residential areas. This setup allows the company to provide a wide range of products efficiently. Zepto’s network of cloud-stored or micro-warehouses supports its promise of delivering groceries and essentials in just 10 minutes. 

Who are the competitors of Zepto? 

The Zepto startup competes with major business delivery application players in the market, which also provide fast delivery services. The fast-delivery applications include: 

• Swiggy Instamart 

• Blinkit 

• DealShare 

• BigBasket 

The Zepto company currently operates in prominent Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Gurugram and Chennai. The company plans to expand to other cities such as Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. The Zepto App has been downloaded over 100,000 times on the Google Play Store, showing growth in users’ engagements. 

Recognition and Influence and IIFL Wealth-Hurun India Rich List 

Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha made their debut on the IIFL Wealth-Hurun India Rich List in 2022 when they were just 19 years old. Their continued presence on the list highlights their ongoing influence in the business world.

The 2024 Hurun India Rich Light showcases the success of the young entrepreneurs like Vohra, who are leading innovation and transforming industries in India. 

What do the Zepto symbol and tagline mean? 

Zepto’s name signifies the rapid delivery time and symbolizes the company’s commitment to quick service. The brightest reddish pink logo and tagline, ‘Groceries delivered in 10 minutes’ capture the essence of the start-up’s mission. 

What does the Zepto deliver? 

Zepto delivers a wide variety of products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, bakery items, drinks, snacks, personal care products and household essentials.