Zepto’s $450M Funding: A Boon for India’s Gig Workforce?

India’s quick commerce darling Zepto has just raised a staggering $450 million at a $7 billion valuation, marking one of the largest pre-IPO rounds in the country’s startup ecosystem. But beyond the headlines, this capital infusion could reshape the landscape for gig workers, who form the backbone of the 10-minute delivery revolution.

Scaling Up: What the Numbers Say

• Daily Orders: Zepto now fulfills approximately 1.6–1.7 million orders per day, up from 500,000 in mid-2024.
• Store Network: Over 700 dark stores across 80+ cities, with aggressive expansion planned.
• Cash Reserves: Post-funding, Zepto holds $900 million in net cash, ensuring deep runway for growth.

This scale-up directly translates to thousands of new delivery roles, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where Zepto is expanding next.

Gig Worker Impact: 5 Key Dimensions

1. Job Creation Across Geographies

With Zepto’s footprint growing, demand for last-mile delivery partners will surge. Analysts estimate 30,000–50,000 new gig roles could be created over the next 12–18 months.

2. Platform Competition = Better Incentives

• Higher per-delivery payouts
• Joining bonuses
• Flexible shift options

This competitive dynamic could improve earnings and working conditions for gig workers.

3. IPO-Driven Formalization

• Enhance insurance coverage
• Offer minimum earning guarantees
• Improve algorithmic transparency

Investors and regulators will scrutinize labor practices, potentially leading to better protections for gig workers.

4. Regulatory Momentum

India’s Code on Social Security, 2020 includes provisions for gig and platform workers. Zepto’s scale makes it a likely candidate for early compliance, which could:

• Trigger ESI-like benefits
• Enable skill development programs
• Support retirement savings schemes

5. Youth Employment Surge

Quick commerce attracts young, mobile-first workers. Zepto’s expansion could offer:

• Flexible income streams for students and part-timers
• Digital onboarding and training
• Entry into India’s growing platform economy

Strategic Outlook

Zepto’s funding isn’t just about valuation — it’s about velocity. As the company races toward IPO, its gig workforce will expand, evolve, and potentially gain new protections. For India’s 7.7 million gig workers, this could be a pivotal moment.

Credible Sources Supporting This Estimate

• ETRetail reports that Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart collectively aim to hire over 400,000 workers by March 2025, driven by dark store expansion and category diversification.
• Zepto’s CEO stated that the company alone has created 1.5 lakh jobs as of April 2025, in response to public scrutiny of consumer internet startups.
• NITI Aayog’s 2022 report on India’s gig economy projects continued growth in platform-based employment, especially in logistics and delivery roles.

How the 30K–50K New Job Estimate Was Derived

Zepto’s current scale (700+ stores, 1.7M daily orders) suggests a need for tens of thousands of delivery partners.

If Zepto expands by even 20–30%, it could easily require 30,000–50,000 additional gig workers, especially in new cities and categories.

This estimate is grounded in sector-wide hiring data and Zepto’s own growth trajectory.

Final Word

If executed responsibly, Zepto’s growth could set a new standard for inclusive platform capitalism — where speed meets dignity, and scale meets social impact.

Sources:

• TechCrunch, Oct 2025
• NITI Aayog Gig Economy Report, 2022

Zulu Club Raises $250K to Reinvent Fashion Commerce in 100 Minutes

Fashion quick commerce platform Zulu Club has raised $250,000 in pre-seed funding from early-stage venture capital firm TDV Partners. The Gurgaon-based startup is reinventing the fashion shopping journey by blending the ease of online ordering with the confidence of offline exploration.

Unlike traditional e-commerce that relies on guesswork, static images, and high return rates, Zulu Club enables shopping from trusted malls and outlets. Users can order pre-curated Try-at-Home kits in just 100 minutes and try 4–5 items before committing to a purchase. The goal is to offer a confident, tactile shopping experience—without the doomscroll and without stepping out. This model addresses key structural issues in fashion e-commerce such as high returns and poor profitability by enabling cross-sell and up-sell, thereby boosting AOV.

Zulu Club surfaces the hidden gems of local fashion by transforming nearby collections into seamless digital experiences, offering delivery within 100 minutes for instant gratification to fashion-conscious urban shoppers.

“Most online fashion platforms are built for speed and variety—but that often comes at the cost of experience and confidence. We’re building Zulu Club to reintroduce trust and experience into fashion shopping, especially for millennial consumers who crave convenience and personalization,” said Adarsh Bhatia, Founder of Zulu Club. Adarsh previously led business at Fashinza, a tech-enabled apparel manufacturing startup, and brings deep domain expertise to this new venture.

Zulu Club’s core audience is urban millennials and Gen Z—style-savvy, time-constrained shoppers who seek a smoother, smarter way to shop. Unlike traditional e-commerce, which relies on static images and high return rates,

Zulu Club follows an experience-first model. Shoppers can:Shop from nearby malls through Zulu’s app

• Book live assistance for product exploration
• Receive curated Try-at-Home kits
• Place orders post-trial or during a call
• Get 100-minute delivery through Zulu’s own network

The latest app update enhances the end-to-end user journey with improvements in flow, customer coordination, and logistics for a faster and smoother experience.

“Zulu Club is tackling a fundamental friction in fashion e-commerce—shoppers want to try before they buy. Their Try-at-Home kits and instant delivery are built for today’s mobile-first, experience-led consumer,” said Ujwal Sutaria, General Partner at TDV Partners.“We’re excited to back a team that blends deep fashion expertise with grassroots execution. Zulu isn’t building another marketplace—it’s reimagining fashion retail for the next generation.”

Currently Live in Gurgaon, Zulu Club, which was founded in 2024, plans to leverage the fresh funding to expand across key neighborhoods in Delhi NCR, enhancing its reach among urban shoppers. The company will also focus on improving its Try-at-Home flows and personalization features and deepen partnerships with outlet stores and mall retailers, while investing strategically in logistics, operations, and customer engagement.

About Zulu Club

Zulu Club is a hyperlocal fashion platform that brings the mall to your doorstep—offering 100-minute delivery and Try-at-Home kits. Designed for the urban audience, Zulu is redefining convenience and confidence in fashion shopping.

Visit: https://zulu.club

About TDV Partners

TDV Partners is a micro-VC firm backing early-stage startups led by visionary founders with a global outlook. Founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Ujwal Sutaria, TDV has built a portfolio of 36+ startups across emerging sectors, including consumer technology, spirituality tech, consumer AI, and lifestyle upgrades. With a founder-first approach, TDV provides hands-on support across go-to-market strategy, product-market fit, fundraising, and team building—from ideation to scale. The firm announced its second corpus of ₹50 crore in October 2024 to deepen its commitment to nurturing innovative tech-driven ventures from India. With one successful exit already under its belt, TDV is on a mission to back the next wave of trillion-dollar companies born out of India.

To learn more, visit: www.tdv.partners

Swiggy to Deliver Stunning Silver Jewellery in 10 Minutes, Partners With Mia by Tanishq

Mia by Tanishq, one of India’s trendiest precious fine jewellery brands, announces its collaboration with Swiggy Instamart, marking its entry into the burgeoning quick commerce space. Starting this week, Mia’s exquisite silver jewellery collection will be available on Swiggy Instamart in more than 35 cities, including Gurgaon, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. The operations will be offering customers the convenience of doorstep delivery of silver jewellery in under 10 minutes.

This partnership leverages Swiggy Instamart’s position as a market leader in quick commerce, known for its exceptional communication and operational excellence, to enhance the e-commerce experience for consumers.

The collaboration aligns with Mia by Tanishq’s strategy to expand its omni-channel presence, reaching new customers through diverse sales channels. As part of this partnership, Mia will introduce a range of stunning silver jewellery catering to the growing demand for precious jewellery in the quick commerce market. Whether it’s a special occasion or a thoughtful gift, Mia's silver jewellery promises to bring a touch of elegance and good fortune, delivered swiftly and seamlessly.

Sampurna Rakshit, Marketing & E-commerce Head - Mia by Tanishq, shared her thought on the collaboration:

This is an effort at our end to prioritise our consumers convenience and be present wherever the users are. Owing to Mia’s exquisite design language coupled with our affordable pricing, we have always been India’s favourite gift of choice. As quick commerce transforms the way India shops, consumers are also looking for stylish jewellery gifting options from trusted brands. So we are thrilled to partner with Swiggy Instamart, who can get many more consumers to access and experience our brand at their fingertips.

This strategic collaboration highlights the growing trend in the Indian retail landscape, where quick commerce platforms are emerging as key touchpoints for consumers prioritizing convenience. It ensures that customers are well-informed about Mia’s beautiful collections and the ease with which they can access these offerings through Swiggy Instamart.

Govt Enquires Quick Commerce Companies on Operating Model and Warehouse Ownership

Quick commerce companies like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Bigbasket recently met with Indian government officials to discuss concerns related to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and their operating models.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) chaired the meeting, which also included officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

The government is particularly interested in understanding how these companies operate their dark stores (mini warehouses within neighborhoods) and whether they comply with India's FDI norms for ecommerce, which prohibit online retailers with foreign investments from holding inventory.

Senior executives from Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Bigbasket met with officials from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Key Topics: The meeting focused on the ownership structure of dark stores (mini warehouses within neighborhoods), compliance with FDI norms, and the impact on traditional kirana stores.

Concerns Raised

FDI Compliance: Officials questioned whether quick commerce companies comply with India's FDI norms for ecommerce, which prohibit online retailers with foreign investments from holding inventory. Dark stores are a point of contention as they are used to store products for quick delivery.

Impact on Kirana Stores: There were concerns about how the growth of quick commerce affects traditional kirana stores, with some officials worried that it might lead to unfair competition and negatively impact small retailers.

Delivery Safety: Questions were raised about the burden on delivery partners to fulfill orders within 10 minutes and whether this creates road safety issues.

Company Responses

Supplementary Demand: Representatives from quick commerce companies argued that their services supplement demand rather than replace traditional retail.

Clarifications: They addressed concerns about delivery safety and clarified their compliance with regulatory norms.

Broader Context

Rapid Growth: Quick commerce is experiencing rapid growth, with companies raising significant capital and expanding their operations. 

Regulatory Scrutiny: The government is keen on ensuring that these companies adhere to regulatory frameworks to maintain fair competition and protect consumer interests.

The government plans to hold more such meetings to gather detailed information on the operations of quick commerce platforms. This ongoing dialogue aims to balance innovation with regulatory compliance and fair market practices.