Leading quick commerce company Zepto has put its IPO plans on hold due to valuation hurdles. Instead, the company is now aiming to raise Rs 1,000 crore through a pre-IPO from domestic and existing investors. As per SEBI's new norms, companies can raise funds in this way ahead of an IPO.

The main reason for the delay in the IPO is a difference of opinion with investors on the company's valuation. Investors currently value the company at only $2.5-3 billion. This is much lower than the $7 billion private market valuation the company achieved in October 2025 and the $5.1 billion valuation that foreign investors had previously estimated.

Investors are worried about Zepto's huge financial losses and stiff competition from giants like Swiggy, Instamart, Blinkit and Amazon in the quick commerce space. Although the company's revenue has doubled, Septo's losses widened to Rs 5,095 crore in FY26. Other major startups like CureFoods and PhonePe have also recently postponed their IPO plans due to adverse market conditions.