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India’s quick commerce landscape has witnessed another seismic shift as Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited (MOFSL) announced a treasury investment of Rs 400 crore in Zepto, the rapidly scaling 10-minute grocery delivery player. This transaction, confirmed today in a stock exchange filing, not only signals MOFSL’s bullish outlook on the sector but further cements Zepto’s status as one of the most aggressive disruptors in the Indian startup ecosystem.
Introduction: Why This Investment Matters
With quick commerce fast becoming the next frontier of Indian retail, MOFSL’s sizeable investment in Zepto—for 7,54,97,341 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares—highlights the escalating battle for market dominance, long-term profitability, and domestic ownership as the company inches toward an IPO. Industry observers see this move as a clear endorsement of Zepto’s business fundamentals and operational momentum.
Key Highlights of the Deal
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MOFSL’s Rs 400 crore investment grants it a strategic stake in Zepto through Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares, executed at arm’s length and not classed as a related party transaction.
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The acquisition forms part of MOFSL’s broader treasury book, with the core objective of sustainable, long-term wealth creation for stakeholders.
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The deal was fully cash-based, with completion expected within fifteen days, and required no governmental or regulatory clearances.
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The promoters of MOFSL were already shareholders in Zepto, holding 48,720 preference shares across series, lending continuity to their investment thesis.
Inside Zepto: Explosive Growth Numbers
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Zepto, founded by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra in December 2020, has rapidly scaled across multiple urban Indian centers.
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Zepto’s revenues more than doubled year-on-year in FY2024, soaring 120% to Rs 4,454 crore from Rs 2,024 crore in FY2023 and merely Rs 140 crore two years prior.
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Losses marginally receded, from Rs 1,272 crore in FY2023 to Rs 1,249 crore in FY2024, even as total expenses rose 72% to Rs 5,747 crore, indicating improved operational efficiency.
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Zepto closed FY2024 with a loss-to-revenue ratio shrinking from 63% to 28%, underlining a visible path toward profitability.
Strategic Rationale & Sectoral Impact
MOFSL’s investment aligns with Zepto’s push for higher domestic ownership ahead of its anticipated IPO and aims to strengthen its treasury book for long-term return generation.
The secondary share sale, with participation from other domestic powerhouses like Edelweiss and Hero FinCorp, shows growing Indian investor appetite for quick commerce—with Zepto now valued at roughly $5.9 billion.
Zepto is now the second-largest player in India’s quick commerce sector with a 29% market share, hot on the heels of Blinkit, while well ahead of Swiggy’s Instamart in terms of daily order volume and fiscal size.
Zepto’s business model caters to grocery delivery, daily essentials, and increasingly, pharmacy services, setting it up as a multi-category local logistics leader.
What’s Next for Zepto and MOFSL?
Zepto’s continuing drive for domestic ownership and rapid order expansion is expected to provide MOFSL with sustainable returns, especially as Zepto eyes EBITDA break-even within the next year.
The investment provides Zepto with an extended runway for expansion and innovation ahead of a planned IPO—the company’s next big inflection point.
As the quick commerce sector matures, strategic plays like this will determine who shapes urban shopping habits in the decade ahead.
Summary
Motilal Oswal Financial Services’ Rs 400 crore cash investment in Zepto marks a defining moment for India’s quick commerce—a sector characterized by speed, scale, and an unrelenting focus on domestic growth. With Zepto steadily marching toward profitability and market leadership, and MOFSL deepening its commitment to disruptive business models, today’s transaction is set to reshape investor strategies in retail and technology for years to come.
Source: Economic Times, August 12, 2025.
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