Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are as quintessentially Gen Z as it gets. Born in the early 2000s, these two young entrepreneurs grew up in Mumbai, a city known for its pace—a fitting background for two people who’d one day change how fast groceries get to your doorstep. Childhood friends and schoolmates, Aadit and Kaivalya shared an enthusiasm for tech and problem-solving, even participating in coding competitions and tech clubs as teenagers.
When the time came for higher education, both were accepted into Stanford University, a dream destination for tech enthusiasts. But fate had other plans. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, the world went virtual, and so did their college experience. Like many young innovators, they spotted an opportunity amidst the chaos, choosing to defer Stanford and return to Mumbai.
With the spark of an idea and the lure of India’s booming e-commerce market, they turned their focus to solving one of urban India’s most frustrating problems: getting essentials fast. And so, Zepto was born.
The Big Idea
In early 2021, Aadit and Kaivalya recognized a big gap in the Indian market. While grocery delivery platforms were popular, deliveries took too long, especially in a pandemic-stricken world where people were reluctant to leave home even for essentials. They envisioned a solution that would blend speed with convenience, and that’s how they crafted Zepto’s promise: 10-minute deliveries for all essentials.
The 10-minute promise wasn’t just a catchy tagline. The Zepto team meticulously set up dark stores (mini-warehouses) strategically across cities, stocked with curated essentials and a tech-backed logistical model to ensure quick delivery. This rapid fulfilment network allowed Zepto to reduce travel distances and optimise every minute, making it a reality. To Aadit and Kaivalya, it wasn’t just about the thrill of fast service—it was about fulfilling a real need in the market, particularly during lockdowns when speedy delivery could mean all the difference.
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Bootstrapping Zepto
Zepto started at the bottom, as any startup, with just a small team and a few dark stores. But Aadit and Kaivalya’s model quickly attracted attention. The duo knew that scaling rapidly would require capital, so they began reaching out to investors with their grand idea.
To the surprise of many, Zepto’s early pitch meetings were wildly successful. The investors saw potential in Zepto’s unique selling point and believed in Aadit and Kaivalya’s vision. With backing from prominent investors like Y Combinator, Nexus Venture Partners, and Glade Brook Capital, Zepto managed to secure funding that allowed it to expand quickly across major cities in India.
Within a year of launching, Zepto raised millions, and with each funding round, the valuation only skyrocketed. In late 2022, Zepto’s valuation shot past $1 billion, making Aadit and Kaivalya the youngest billionaires in India—a feat that most entrepreneurs can only dream of. Their ability to navigate the high-stakes world of venture capital at such a young age, and secure funding while delivering on their promises, speaks volumes about their knack for business and innovation.
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Challenges on the Road to Billionaire Status
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, of course. Building a company that delivers in 10 minutes comes with unique challenges. From logistical hurdles and high operational costs to the need for constant inventory management, Zepto had its fair share of growing pains. But Aadit and Kaivalya took each challenge in stride, tweaking their model, fine-tuning their delivery routes, and hiring top-tier talent to manage operations and tech development.
One of the biggest challenges they faced was scepticism. Many seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts questioned the viability of 10-minute delivery in a country known for its notorious traffic and chaotic urban layout. But the young founders saw this as fuel to push harder, proving that they could make their model work not just in theory but in practice. With every delivery that arrived in under 10 minutes, they were effectively silencing critics and winning over customers.
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Leadership Style of Gen Z Billionaires
At an age where most are figuring out their first real job, Aadit and Kaivalya have their hands full running a billion-dollar company. But don’t think for a second that they’re out of touch with their peers—they embody many of the values Gen Z is known for. From promoting sustainability within Zepto’s operations to fostering a startup culture where everyone’s ideas are valued, they bring a fresh perspective to the world of business.
Their leadership style is rooted in collaboration and inclusivity, creating a work environment that feels less corporate and more like a college startup—though with billion-dollar stakes! This approach has helped Zepto attract a talented, motivated workforce who resonate with their vision of revolutionising instant delivery.
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What’s Next?
With Zepto achieving unicorn status in record time, Aadit and Kaivalya aren’t stopping to rest. Their sights are set on expanding Zepto’s footprint further across India and possibly even entering international markets. The future might also include diversifying into other categories of instant delivery, such as pharmaceuticals or even broader e-commerce.
Their journey is a masterclass in ambition, innovation, and hard work—proving that age is no barrier to success when you have a unique vision and the grit to execute it. With the quick commerce market booming and competition heating up, Zepto’s founders will undoubtedly need to innovate further. However, if their journey so far is any indication, Aadit and Kaivalya have a knack for adapting to challenges, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they reshape other sectors with the same tenacity.
Conclusion
Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra have shown that bold ideas, when combined with solid execution, can turn into billion-dollar successes—even if you’re just out of your teens. As India’s youngest billionaires, they embody the drive, ingenuity, and agility of a new generation of entrepreneurs, leading a startup that isn’t just about speed but also about shaping the future of urban living.
Zepto’s story isn’t just about making deliveries quicker; it’s about making the impossible possible—and for Aadit and Kaivalya, this is only the beginning. So next time your groceries arrive before you get up from your sofa, you’ll know that two young minds are behind the magic.
