Indian founders eyeing early IPOs are increasingly skipping private capital rounds to list directly on domestic public exchanges. Specifically, Meesho Chief Executive Officer Vidit Aatrey highlighted this structural shift at the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru. Furthermore, he noted that favorable public market conditions in India allow both small and large startups to go public much faster.
Favorable market conditions allow early public listings
Speaking on a panel alongside Groww CEO Lalit Keshre during ET Startups Awards 2026, Aatrey contrasted India’s vibrant listing landscape with the United States market. “In the US, small IPOs are rare, while in India both small and large listings are taking place,” noted Aatrey. Consequently, Indian founders now consider public markets as a primary funding path rather than an exit route.
| Industry Executive | Core Insights & Strategic Advice |
| Vidit Aatrey (Meesho CEO) | “Founders are now thinking: can I short-circuit and go public instead of raising private capital?” |
| Lalit Keshre (Groww CEO) | “Raising false expectations is a big no for companies looking to go public.” |
Public market transparency demands long-term execution focus
Additionally, Aatrey reflected on Meesho’s successful listing from December last year to emphasize transparency. He stressed that clear investor communication remains essential when building out logistics infrastructure in public view.
Furthermore, he cautioned that preparing for an IPO requires six to nine months of rigorous execution. Meanwhile, Groww CEO Lalit Keshre agreed, emphasizing that listing candidates must avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Thus, as Indian founders eyeing early IPOs reshape capital markets, domestic exchanges continue attracting early-stage growth enterprises.

