Zepto’s IPO Gamble, ShareChat Pulls Plug On Vibely, and AirBrick Appoints New COO

Zepto’s IPO is a public-market test of India’s quick-commerce obsession.

The company wants to raise around ₹8,010 crore through a fresh issue, with a large offer-for-sale by existing investors. That means Zepto is coming to Dalal Street with two stories at once. One is growth. The other is exit.

The growth story is loud. Zepto’s operating revenue more than doubled to around ₹22,624 crore in FY26. It processed about 64 crore orders during the year and operated 1,139 dark stores across 66 cities. In Q4 alone, it handled around 21 crore orders. These are serious numbers. Zepto is no longer a cute young startup. It is a giant logistics machine.

But the loss story is equally loud.

Its net loss widened to around ₹5,905 crore in FY26. That is the problem public investors cannot ignore. Zepto is growing fast, but it is still burning too much money to prove that this model can produce clean profits at scale.

The company will argue that unit economics are improving. And that is true. Its adjusted EBITDA loss per order has reportedly come down sharply, from around ₹136 in FY25 to about ₹79 in FY26, and close to ₹60 in Q4. This shows operating leverage.

But let’s not over-romanticise it.

A business losing ₹60 per order is still not a great business. It is just a less bad business than before.

The IPO also carries uncomfortable signals. Nexus is reportedly selling a large chunk in the OFS, while founders are not selling. That gives both sides of the story. Founder conviction is positive. Large VC liquidity is normal. But public investors should remember that they are entering when private investors are partly exiting.

Then there is regulatory risk. Zepto has disclosed ED summons under FEMA and faces broader quick-commerce complaints around predatory pricing, dark stores and FDI rules. These are not small footnotes. If regulators tighten discounting or inventory-linked models, Zepto’s growth engine could slow.

The bullish case is simple: Zepto is the purest listed bet on India’s urban convenience economy.

The bearish case is simpler: it is asking public investors to fund a very expensive race against Blinkit, Instamart, Amazon and Flipkart before proving profits.

That does not make Zepto a bad company. But it does make the IPO a dangerous place to confuse speed with strength.

Let’s go through what else is happening in Indian startup world - Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Kar Har Maidan Fateh”: Zepto Files UDRHP, Plans ₹8,010 Cr Fresh Issue

Zepto has filed its UDRHP, setting the stage for a massive IPO featuring a fresh issue worth up to ₹8,010 Cr.

While revenue more than doubled in FY26, the quick commerce giant also reported wider losses as several early investors prepare to pare their stakes.

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“Yeh Toh Nikal Liya”: ShareChat Pulls Plug On Vibely Days After Apple Takedown

ShareChat has reportedly shut down Vibely, its social discovery app, days after Apple removed it from the App Store over alleged content moderation policy violations.

The move comes as ShareChat sharpens focus ahead of a possible IPO and tries to keep cash burn under control. Vibely was described by the company as an exploratory product with negligible revenue contribution.

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“Kar Chale Hum Vida”: India Quotient Partner Gagan Goyal To Resign

After nearly a decade at India Quotient, general partner Gagan Goyal is set to move on.

The longtime investor is reportedly exploring his next chapter, which could involve launching a new venture or advising startups.

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“Aaiye Aapka Intezaar Tha”: AirBrick appoints Gaurav Bansal as COO

AirBrick has appointed Gaurav Bansal as its COO for India as the company ramps up growth.

The move comes as the AI-powered workspace solutions firm looks to strengthen operations and expand its footprint across India and global markets.

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“Ab Hoga Dangal”: TechnoSport launches TechnoSport Express

TechnoSport is doubling down on offline retail with the launch of TechnoSport Express, a compact store format.

The activewear brand plans to open 25 such outlets by FY27 as it expands its physical presence across India.

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“AI Ki Shakti Dhoom Machaye”: iD Fresh Food launches AI-led campaign

iD Fresh Food has rolled out an AI-led campaign in Telangana to spotlight hygiene and food safety in the batter category.

Using AI-generated visuals, the brand aims to spark conversations around consumer trust beyond just freshness.

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1. Former Mirae Asset India CEO Ashish Dave has launched Sanskrit Capital, a new VC firm focused on growth-stage startups. The fund aims to raise up to ₹1,000 Cr and back Series B and C companies ready to scale.

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2. Quick commerce startup BazaarNow has raised $7.5 Mn in a fresh funding round led by Peak XV Partners. The Bengaluru-based startup plans to use the capital to expand its dark store network and scale operations.

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3. The Wedding Company has raised $2.8 Mn in fresh funding to strengthen its wedding services business. The startup plans to expand its vendor network and broaden its offerings for couples planning their big day.

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4. Aye Finance is looking to raise $15 Mn through secured debentures as it strengthens its capital base. The debt fundraise comes just months after the NBFC launched its ₹1,010 Cr IPO.

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5. Deep-tech materials startup Helionis Labs has raised pre-seed funding from climate-focused investor Transition VC. The fresh capital will support the startup’s efforts to build next-generation sustainable materials solutions.

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6. Deep-tech startup Integra Robotics has raised $1.12 Mn (₹10.6 Cr) in a pre-Series A round. The fresh capital will help the robotics company accelerate product development and growth.

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