Zepto CEO Piyush Goyal responds to Piyush Goyal's 'delivery boys' jibe: 'We employed 1.5 lakh people'

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stirred controversy while addressing the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi. His remarks on India’s startup ecosystem, specifically his rhetorical question, "Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls? " drew mixed reactions from the entrepreneurial community. By comparing India’s startup landscape to China’s, Goyal ignited a broader debate about the country’s technological aspirations and economic growth.

Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha's Response

Among the many responses from the startup industry, Zepto’s co-founder and CEO, Aadit Palicha, provided a strong counterargument. Using social media platform X, Palicha defended consumer internet startups like his own, emphasizing their significant contributions to employment, economic growth, and technological advancement.

In his post, Palicha highlighted that Zepto, a quick-commerce startup that did not exist three and a half years ago, has already generated approximately 1.5 lakh jobs. Furthermore, the company contributes over ₹1,000 crore annually in taxes and has secured more than a billion dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI). He also underlined Zepto’s efforts in strengthening India's backend supply chains, particularly in the fresh produce sector. According to him, such achievements exemplify innovation and progress within India’s startup ecosystem.

As per an Inc42 report, Zepto has been valued at $3 billion (Rs 24,500 crore approximately) in 2025.

The Role of Consumer Internet Companies in Technological Advancement

Palicha also addressed a broader issue—India’s absence in foundational artificial intelligence (AI) development. He argued that the country has not yet built large-scale internet enterprises capable of driving deep technological advancements. By referencing global tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Alibaba, and Tencent, he pointed out that consumer internet firms play a crucial role in technological breakthroughs, including cloud computing and AI.

He further stated that such companies excel because they have access to vast amounts of data, highly skilled talent, and substantial capital investments. For India to compete in global technology revolutions, he believes it must first foster and support domestic consumer internet giants capable of generating hundreds of millions in free cash flow (FCF). Palicha urged the startup ecosystem, the government, and major financial institutions to encourage the growth of these businesses instead of undermining their efforts.

Zepto’s Vision for Long-Term Growth

Acknowledging that Zepto is still in its early stages, Palicha admitted that the company is far from reaching the stature of leading global internet firms. However, he expressed confidence in Zepto’s potential, emphasizing the company's daily commitment to scaling operations and driving meaningful innovation.

He assured that any capital generated through Zepto’s success would be reinvested in India to create long-term value. His vision includes boosting dynamism in the Indian economy and strengthening capital markets, drawing inspiration from the United States, where technology firms have significantly influenced economic growth. Palicha believes that India possesses both the talent and the financial resources necessary for such transformation—what remains crucial is the execution.

The Ongoing Debate: India's Startup Future

Goyal’s statement has sparked an industry-wide conversation about the trajectory of India's startup ecosystem. While some entrepreneurs share his concerns about the country’s technological lag, others, like Palicha, argue that consumer internet startups have already made substantial progress and should be supported rather than dismissed.

As India continues to evolve as a global startup hub, the debate over innovation, government policies, and economic priorities remains an ongoing and critical discussion.