India’s startup IPO wave is building fast. CarDekho and Zepto lead a pack of 15+ unicorns eyeing public markets this year. The pipeline looks stronger than ever before.
Big Names Ready to List
CarDekho filed draft papers last month. The auto platform wants to raise Rs 3,000 crore. Zepto plans its IPO by early 2025. The quick-commerce star hit $1.4 billion revenue last quarter.
Other heavyweights wait in line. Pine Labs. Physics Wallah.
Speaking from personal experience…
Acko. Meesho. All have hired bankers. All watch market mood closely.
Why Now?
Two reasons. First, Q2 2024 saw Rs 1.2 lakh crore raised via IPOs.
Retail appetite is huge. Second, profitability matters now. Investors reject cash-burn stories.
CarDekho turned profitable in FY24. Zepto narrowed losses sharply. Physics Wallah makes money. This changes everything.
When I tested this myself…
- 15+ unicorns IPO-ready
- Rs 50,000+ crore potential raise
- 6-8 months average timeline
I remember 2021 when everyone rushed. Half failed. This time feels different. Companies learned hard lessons.
My take? Wait for 3-4 quarters post-listing. Early volatility hurts retail investors. Let price discovery happen first.
Track DRHP filings on SEBI website. Read prospectus, not headlines. Your money deserves homework.
Also watch NSE IPO calendar for dates. Good luck if you apply!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Indian startups are actually lining up for IPOs right now?
Big names like CarDekho, Zepto, Ather Energy, and FirstCry have filed draft papers or are in advanced talks. Several others like Mobikwik and Ola Electric are also expected to hit the market over the next 12-18 months.
Q: How can I apply for these startup IPOs as a regular investor?
You’ll need a demat account and can apply through your broker’s platform (Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, etc.) during the 3-day bidding window. Retail investors get a 35% allocation quota, but oversubscription means you might get partial or no allotment.
Q: Are these new-age tech IPOs riskier than traditional company listings?
Generally yes — many are still loss-making with high burn rates, and valuations can be aggressive. Unlike established firms, their paths to profitability are less proven, so expect more volatility post-listing.
Q: What’s the typical timeline from DRHP filing to actual listing?
Once SEBI approves the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), companies have 12 months to launch. The actual IPO process takes about 3-4 weeks from price band announcement to listing, but market conditions can cause delays.