ZEPTO CASE STUDY
Zepto created hype in the initial stages of its launch that it will make delivery in just 10 minutes, now it kept us thinking how can they deliver so fast? So we can focus on 2 things by which this hindrance can be overcome, first is Packaging that means how fast can a packaging be done, and second is the delivery time that means how fast can a Zepto delivery person can deliver a order.
For that they have near by warehouses or dark stores where they have all the products, Zepto delivery boys are on the stores itself to optimize the distance time thats the reason why they have opened dark stores or warehouses at very close distance to their customers.
Zepto Overview
Founded Year | 2021 |
Location | Mumbai, India |
Company Stage | Series C |
Total Funding | $161M |
Last Funding Round | $100M, Series C, Dec 20, 2021 |
Valuation | $570M as on Dec 20, 2021 |
Steps took by Zepto
Now, Grofers and Bigbasket also do the same thing right then how Zepto is more effective? To answer that, Big basket and Grofers have darkstores which is generally 2000-3000 sq.ft area which stores 3000-3500 products, on the other hand Zeptos’s darkstores are less than 1000 sq.ft. Small dark stores automatically reduces expense and they keep very limited items that is between 1000-1500 items which maximum people order.
Next comes how they reduce packaging time, it takes 58 seconds for them to pack one order so they use a lot of Data Analytics and AI which helps them to locate the products in dark store not only that but also the AI shows the shortest route within the store to reach that product. They hire a bunch of people for this work, there are almost 10-15 boys for packing and 10-15 delivery boys.
People you must be contemplating how can 19 years old boys can build so sophisticated a system? So this wasn’t their first startup, Zepto was their third startup, Zepto’s founders are Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, they both are friends. When Aadit Palicha was in 11th class he made his first-ever startup that was carpooling app for youngsters – “Go Pool”, he also raised a $15,000 Grant.
How ZEPTO started?
Despite the fact that this app wasn’t successful but he learnt a lot of essential lessons which is require to run a startup like team building, scaling business, etc. Then they both took admission in Stanford University for Computer science program, before lockdown in 2020 they came mumbai and after lockdown they couldn’t go back to Stanford. That time they realized, it is taking a long for groceries to arrive at their home, they thought why so much big companies takes so much time to get the products delivered.

Therefore he thought to turn this into opportunity, that’s when he started Kirana Mart where he collaborated with the near by kirana stores and hired few people to get orders delivered, they got their funding from Y contributor. When they use to delivery the order in less than 20 minutes, the customer satisfaction increased and when they delivered in less than 10 minutes, the customer satisfaction went really high, eventually this returned them into regular customer.
This made them think, if they build a system in which they get deliver products under 10 minutes then this startup can touch the height of success. Gradually, they started ideating on this plan, kirana mart was then dissolved and commenced Zepto in 2020.
In April, they started experimenting and by August they somehow figured out how they can improve their algorithm and deliver within 10 minutes. In August when they launched Zepto, it created a lot of buzz amongst people but we can’t win without challenges.
Challenges
First challenge was What will be Zepto’s business model on the basis of which they will be working and how much it will be profitable for them? They are planning to charge convenient fees after a while just like Swiggy and Zomato. But every delivery service is switching to fast delivery service, Swiggy Instamart is delivering within 30 minutes, Grofers even changed its name to Blinkit where they will only deliver to those areas where they can reach in 10 minutes. Zepto is definitely going to face a tough challenge and how will it differentiate from its competition.
Indian customers always go after discounts, so the company with more funding would give more discounts. Bigbasket have funding from TATA whereas Grofers, Amazon, Flipkart are already backed by huge investors. One question arises, Zepto will ever be profitable in front of these giant competitors? Looking at the present scenario Swiggy, Dunzo are still struggling to earn profits over that Zepto is stating to charge convenient fees, so will it be able to retain its customers?
Do you also think how did Zepto hire so many delivery boys in such a short period? The reason behind this is delivery boys are hired on a salary basis, they have to work for 10 hours, they don’t have to travel much and they get incentives on their salary as well. This seems a good deal for any delivery boy. Although there are numerous questions and chaos we cannot forget the learning we get from this case study. Let’s have a glance –
Zepto Funding Rounds
Date | Funding Amount | Funding Round | Investor Details |
Dec 20, 2021 | $100M | Series C | Y Combinator, Glade Brook Capital, and 5 others |
Oct 31, 2021 | $60M | Series A | Y Combinator, Glade Brook Capital and 5 others |
Jan 07, 2021 | $730K | Seed | Global Founders Capital, 2am VC and 1 others |
Nov 01, 2020 | $125K | Seed | Y Combinator |
Conclusion
-First lesson is age doesn’t matter but knowledge does.
-Second is always find that one opportunity, try to find gap and fill that gap with your ideas.
-Third is having well optimized data can help you boost your business at fullest.
What is Zepto delivery company?
Zepto, an instant grocery delivery service, was founded by two 19-year-old childhood friends who left Stanford University’s prestigious computer science department to return to India and establish a business. The firm founded by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra promises to deliver groceries and other needs in 10 minutes.
How old is Zepto company?
Zepto is founded in 2021, and now the company is 1 year old.
Who is owner of Zepto?
Zepto’s founders are Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra
What is the age of Zepto’s founders?
Zepto’s founders are Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra both are 19 years old.
Zepto total funding till now 2022?
Till now 2022 Zepto raised a total of 161 million dollars.
What was last funding round For Zepto?
Zepto raised a $ 100 million Series c round from Y Combinator, Glade Brook Capital, and 5 others.
Is Zepto available in India?
Zepto is currently present in Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai, and Hyderabad, with ambitions to grow to Pune and Kolkata shortly. It has put up a maze of over 100 dark storefronts across these cities to ensure speedy deliveries, which it claims are designed for speed.
What is Zepto USP?
It takes only 10 minutes to deliver groceries. Whatever you want, wherever you are, Zepto will get it to you as soon as possible. Zepto is a clever name that cleverly employs a mathematical phrase to explain and describe the app, which delivers groceries in 10 minutes, outpacing its competitors.
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