In a major move aimed at furthering its competitive edge in the foodtech and quick commerce space, Zomato has obtained shareholder consent for raising ₹8,500 crore through Qualified Institutional Placement, QIP. This is one of the last planks of preparations that Zomato has in place to bolster its financial foundations even before expected rival Swiggy’s initial public offering (IPO).
PC: The Economic Times
Strategic Fund-Raising Initiative
The board of directors at Zomato has also resolved to follow the QIP process, which involves issuing equity shares to institutional investors eligible for it. For this purpose, the company has appointed Morgan Stanley as its investment banker to advise it in the fundraising process. Capital thus garnered would significantly enhance the balance sheet of Zomato so that it can compete much more competitively with its peers in the increasingly saturated marketplace.
Competitive Landscape
Zomato’s fund-raising time could not have been more critical. There comes Swiggy’s recent ₹4,500 crore IPO to firmly position itself into food delivery and quick commerce spaces with a strong ground hold. To top it up, Zepto, again a rising player in the same space, has further intensified competition with recent funding rounds of ₹3,000 crore. With this significant amount of funding, the firm Zomato is looking to better its market and operating capacities to compete more drastically in the quick commerce domain.
Employee Stock Option Plans
Besides QIP, Zomato has also gained shareholder nod to its Employee Stock Option Plans across 2018 to 2024. It includes placement of these through a trust route that is aimed to motivate the employees and align them to the growth of the organization. Zomato has been allowed to give interest-free loans to Foodie Bay Employees ESOP Trust as additional measures for engaging employees.
Exceptional Financial Growth
Whereas Zomato’s financial performance cannot be matched elsewhere, for it reported 68.5% quarter-on-quarter growth in operating revenue for Q2 FY25, standing at ₹4,799 crore as compared with ₹2,848 crore in Q2 FY24. Thereby supporting the tremendous growth trajectory is also a substantial increase in net profit, which jumped 4.8 times to ₹176 crore for the very fiscal quarter. Such strong financials actually reflect the strengthening positioning of Zomato in the market and its ability to leverage growing demand for food delivery services.
Market Leadership in Quick Commerce
As of late, Motilal Oswal reported that Zomato’s quick commerce arm, Blinkit, has enjoyed a top-line share of 46%, something that eclipses the competition in the segment with Zepto at 29%, followed by Swiggy Instamart with a market share of 25%. Such positioning sets an example for gaining Zomato’s focus on quick commerce as a growth area and justifies the requirement of additional capital for its expansion plan.
The approval for raising ₹8,500 through QIP will be a landmark step in formulating its competitive strategy for foodtech and quick commerce sectors. Big money and strategic focus on enhancing operational capabilities make Zomato better equipped to handle its competitive landscape as it prepares itself for the challenges of the future. ESOP approval also signifies the commitment of the company towards building an enthusiastic workforce, which creates the base for long-term growth and innovation. As Zomato looks to expand its market footprint, the upcoming capital infusion promises to play the decisive role in its very ongoing success.
