Zepto eyes $250 mn from HNIs, wealth cos at flat valuation

Quick commerce startup Zepto is looking to raise about $250 million from high-net-worth individuals and wealth management firms, including Motilal Oswal, IIFL and InCred, at a near-flat valuation of $5 billion, three people familiar with the matter said.

- Priyamvada C. & Sneha Shah

"The wealth firms are expected to further downsell it (the investment) to their HNI clients," one of the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. A second person said the round is expected to close later this month. Motilal Oswal is running the mandate for the transaction, the person added.

If the deal goes through, it will be the startup's third capital raise in six months. Zepto, Motilal, IIFL and InCred did not immediately respond to Mint's request for comment.

The Mumbai-based startup, which is gearing up for a public market listing next year, entered the coveted unicorn club a year ago when it raised $200 million at a valuation of $1.4 billion.

In the run-up to a planned IPO, Zepto would be looking at balancing its cap table, one of the people cited above said. This is a common exercise at several young startups as early investors look to sell part stakes and return capital to their limited partners amid a broader liquidity crunch.