Zepto Appoints Bharti’s Akhil Gupta to Board Ahead of IPO

Quick commerce unicorn Zepto has appointed Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, as an independent director on its board, in a strategic move ahead of its anticipated IPO later this year.

Gupta, a seasoned industry veteran, brings decades of experience in corporate strategy and public market listings. He played a key role in the successful IPOs of Bharti Airtel (2002), Bharti Infratel (2012), and Airtel Africa (2019). His addition to Zepto’s board is expected to be pivotal as the startup prepares for its public debut.

Strengthening the Board and Leadership

Zepto’s board already includes co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, along with Anu Hariharan (Founder, Avra) and Suvir Sujan (Co-founder & MD, Nexus Venture Partners). Gupta’s appointment adds significant depth, especially in navigating complex IPO environments.

Sources close to the company suggest that Zepto’s leadership revamp extends beyond the boardroom. Over the past year, several internal promotions have elevated key team members to senior roles:

• In July 2024, Devendra Meel, previously SVP and head of Zepto’s loyalty program Pass, was promoted to Chief Business Officer.

• Earlier, in January, Nikhil Mittal and Divesh Sawhney, both former senior VPs, were elevated to Chief Technology Officer and Chief Growth Officer, respectively.

Capital Momentum: $1.35 Billion Raised in 5 Months

Zepto has also been aggressive on the fundraising front. Since mid-2024, the company has raised $1.35 billion across three major funding rounds:

• $665 million in June 2024 from Glade Brook Capital, StepStone Group, Nexus Venture Partners, and others.

• $340 million in August 2024 led by General Catalyst and additional global backers.

• $350 million from a group of Indian investors including Motilal Oswal and Ranjan Pai’s Claypond Capital.

The company also made headlines recently for shifting its base back to India from Singapore — a move seen as aligning with its long-term public market aspirations.

Industry Impact

With Gupta on board, Zepto is expected to benefit not only from his IPO expertise but also from his vast network. At Bharti, he has overseen strategic alliances with global telecom giants like British Telecom, Telecom Italia, Singapore Telecom, and Vodafone, as well as secured investments from heavyweights like Warburg Pincus, Temasek, KKR, Qatar Foundation Endowment, and Sequoia Capital.

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Takeaway: As Zepto readies for its IPO, the addition of Akhil Gupta to its board signals a serious step toward strengthening corporate governance and institutional readiness. Backed by fresh capital and a fortified leadership team, the quick commerce firm appears poised for the next phase of growth.