Zomato, one of India’s leading food delivery and restaurant aggregator platforms, was founded by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah in 2008. The company started as a small venture to make restaurant menus accessible online but has since grown into a global player in the food-tech industry.
The Founders
Deepinder Goyal
Deepinder Goyal is the CEO and the most prominent figure behind Zomato. He holds a significant share in the company, with his stake recently valued at around ₹8,461.55 crore ($1 billion) after Zomato’s market capitalization reached ₹2 trillion in 2024. Goyal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi, was working at Bain & Company when he and Pankaj Chaddah noticed the inconvenience of accessing restaurant menus, which led to the creation of Zomato.
Pankaj Chaddah
Pankaj Chaddah, the co-founder, played a crucial role in the early growth of Zomato but stepped down from his operational role in 2018 to pursue other ventures. Despite his departure, his contributions to Zomato’s success remain significant as he was instrumental in its initial expansion and innovation.
Major Investors and Shareholders
Zomato’s ownership is distributed among several major institutional investors:
- Info Edge: One of Zomato’s earliest and largest backers, Info Edge (the parent company of Naukri.com), was a crucial investor in the initial funding rounds. At one point, Info Edge owned a significant stake in Zomato, although its share has diluted as the company has grown and taken on more investors.
- Ant Financial: The Chinese fintech giant, a part of the Alibaba Group, has also been a major investor in Zomato, significantly contributing to its growth during crucial funding rounds.
- Other Institutional Investors: Zomato has attracted investment from global giants like Sequoia Capital, Temasek Holdings, and Tiger Global Management, further diversifying its ownership.
The Journey to an IPO
Zomato went public in July 2021, with an IPO that was oversubscribed and highly successful, reflecting the confidence investors had in the company’s future. This IPO was a major milestone, establishing Zomato as one of the leading tech companies in India and bringing it under greater public scrutiny as a listed entity.
FAQ
1. Who is the founder of Zomato?
Zomato was founded by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah in 2008.
2. How much stake does Deepinder Goyal hold in Zomato?
As of 2024, Deepinder Goyal holds about 4.19% of Zomato, valued at approximately ₹8,461.55 crore.
3. Who are the major investors in Zomato?
Major investors in Zomato include Info Edge, Ant Financial, Sequoia Capital, and Temasek Holdings.
4. When did Zomato go public?
Zomato went public in July 2021, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.
5. What role did Pankaj Chaddah play in Zomato?
Pankaj Chaddah was the co-founder and played a crucial role in Zomato’s early growth before stepping down in 2018.