Zepto Founders: Stanford Dropouts, Entrepreneurs & Teen Billionaires | Karishma Mehta | Realign Ep 3

“The chance of getting into a world class university like Stanford is 1% but the chance of building a generational company is 0.001%...It became a no-brainer. Witnessing the start of a Reliance or a Tata or an ITC, it’s a privilege that only a few people get. It’s not for everyone, and it’s not meant for everyone, but if you want to achieve serious greatness- you have to be obsessed.”
Meet Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, the founders of Zepto; Best friends who dropped out of Stanford at 19 and started a business that grew to a $1.4 billion valuation in just 2 years - becoming India’s first unicorn of 2023.
Is it just business acumen or does the grind have to become a lifestyle? How do you know when to take a chance on yourself? How do you walk through fire and survive?
This episode of Realign takes us into the mindset of the founders of Zepto to learn about the struggle, mental health implications and whether it's all really worth it to become a successful entrepreneur.
We talked about:
. The mindset of an entrepreneur
. How childhood shapes work ethic
. International vs. Indian Schooling Systems
. Hobbies and projects outside work
. The impact of schooling on Mindset
. How the pandemic helped form Zepto
. Choosing to drop out of stanford
. Building Zepto
. How to tell your parents you’re dropping out
. Taking the next steps
. Dealing with stress as an entrepreneur
. The Zepto founder’s spiritual beliefs
. How obsession leads to success
. Relationship with money
. Balancing work with life
. Book recommendations to budding entrepreneurs
. Mentorship
. Realigning your mindset
#zepto #realignpodcast #humansofbombay
Time Stamps
00:00 - Precap
00:41 - Introduction
01:18 - Welcome to the podcast
01:52 - Mindset when starting Zepto
05:16 - The impact of childhood on mindset
07:31 - KV’s first app
10:11 - Difference between Indian & International Schools
15:33 - Why start Zepto?
19:30 - Karishma’s Schooling
21:19 - Deciding to drop out of Stanford
32:11 - Knowing when to give up
34:49 - Learning from failure
39:16 - What “one quality” made you succeed?
41:25 - Telling the Parents about dropping out
51:34 - Was Zepto destiny?
55:09 - Spiritual outlook
58:01 - Typical day in the life
01:03:15 - Balancing obsession with life
01:06:34 - Relationship with money
01:11:30 - Book recommendations for Entrepreneurs
01:13:01 - Building generational wealth
01:15:38 - Final Advice
Links:
Realign Instagram: realignpod?...
Humans of Bombay Instagram: / officialhum. .
Uncovered by Humans of Bombay: / @humansofbombayuncovered
LinkedIn: / huma. .
Aadit Palecha - LinkedIn: / aadit-palicha
Kaivalya Vohra - LinkedIn: / kaivalya-vohra
Karishma Mehta
Instagram: / karimehta05
LinkedIn: / karishma-. .
About Realign -
Explore the confluence of science, spirituality, and wellness and get empowered to navigate the complexities of modern life. 'Realign' isn’t just a podcast; it's a deep breath, a moment of clarity…an oasis of mindful living.
With every episode, delve into mind-expanding conversations with experts, thought leaders, and visionaries who challenge the way w e approach growth. And through these conversations, create a blueprint for mindful living.
If you're seeking clarity, purpose, or simply looking to realign your life, this podcast is your North Star.
It's time to realign - mind, body, and soul!
Listen to the Realign podcast in Hindi & Tamil, exclusively on KukuFM - kukufm.page.link/9tEfiaTwBeps...
About Humans of Bombay -
Humans of Bombay is a movement that started 10 years ago. We believe that every person has a story to tell and we want to help them tell these stories. In these years we’ve published stories across genres - stories of love, hope, faith and courage. And through our storytelling, we’ve built an engaged community of over 5M!
Our idea is simple - to strike a chord with our community and catalogue the beat of humanity, one story at a time.

[@karishmamehta3337]

So much to learn about choices and decision making. And leadership. LOVED and enjoyed this interview with Zepto boys! 💜

[@humansofbombay2801]

Such an incredible episode! 🙏🏻❤️

[@parth3337]

I am with u on this Kari

[@jahnavivohra1013]

I think the most important person who made us support kaivalyas decision was his brothers statement "mom colleges are for regular students for you and me. Kaivalya has been always different and he doesn't need college education". I'm glad he understood his brother better than his mother did

[@soniyatalks]

Karishma is poised. The Zepto guys just gave us vitamin I (inspiration)

[@avinashkukreja6198]

Listening to this hard for me to believe they are just 21 !! The level of intellect and humbleness classy stuff 👌👌

[@karishmamehta3337]

Thank you for watching, hope you have subscribed!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thank you! Keep sharing your feedback! ❤️

[@janakthapa6255]

Learnt so much from Zepto founders- more than any other interview!

[@chickugangavarapu772]

Best video i have come across in recent times . Hearing to zepto boys have always been insightful and canttttt wait to apply all the things i learned here to my life .

[@kirtigaggar6244]

It's so important to have someone to be there for you and give you that push just because they believe in you and know that YOU'LL DO IT! Love the episode, so much to learn!❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

Absolutely! ❤️

[@anushreeyewale8682]

I’ve seen so many interviews of zepto boys, none like this! ❤

[@yashdesai7974]

Seen so many interviews of Zepto boys, none like this! 🎉

[@user-qt4my6wp8o]

So Insightful ❤❤ So much to learn from them.

[@nitikapatil5340]

great questions asked by Karishma Mehta ma'am and both of them answered it very well. The last question was answered very well by Aadit very much in detail and it did provide a value to me .Thankyou

[@sumitsingh-tf2bd]

So much to learn from this episode.

[@businessmanagement7487]

Extremely valuable video

[@meetbhanushali399]

so much to learn form these podcast

[@vinishamoolya3961]

What an episode! Such visionaries!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Indeed! ❤️

[@ankitaamendhekar4049]

An amazing episode! A must watch!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thank you! ❤️

[@parth3337]

So much to learn about choices and decision making. And Leadership. LOVED and enjoyed this interview with Zepto boys! 💜

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@farhanfaizal9437]

The brains, the maturity in the words they speak!🚀

[@humansofbombay2801]

Absolutely! ❤️

[@prernamehta8807]

Wow! Zepto founders have inspired me to make it happen! Also they’re so young!!

[@zachscombat]

Be your own inspiration

[@karankhanna5214]

Great to meet the young guys behind Zepto! My home gets a delivery from Zepto almost every single day. They have successfully figured out something simple yet so huge and changed our whole lifestyle and made life really easy for us. Congrats and hats off to them 👏🏼

[@karishmamehta3337]

Absolutely agree!

[@tinakhurana2440]

Love it❤

[@nishashah7272]

So much to learn from these young boys… such an insightful conversation ❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@adarshpareek8864]

Karishma looks like so sophisticated and high classyet she makes every guest so comfortable ,so calm its impressive 😎

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️❤️❤️

[@shivammaurya1761]

34:49 - Learning from failure! - SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE!

[@karishmamehta3337]

Thanks hope you have subscribed

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@anuk48]

Bharat is the place for such bright children! blessings

[@NancyAggarwal-jd1dn]

So interesting to know what truly goes behind becoming an overnight success!♥️

[@humansofbombay2801]

It really is! 🙏🏻❤️

[@sharayupillay5434]

What a vision behind something that we use on a daily basis

[@karishmamehta3337]

So interesting to know!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Absolutely! ❤️

[@kirtishreerathore9203]

This is what you call efficient utilisation of time!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Absolutely! So much to learn! ❤️

[@dhairyashiil]

Great Video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@arjunrao-bd3lm]

IS THE BIG BLUE BOX A TRANSMITTER FOR THE MICROPHONE??? GOOD PODCAST AS ALWAYS THOUGH.

[@janakthapa6255]

So much to learn 🙌🏻

[@humansofbombay2801]

Glad you think so! ❤️

[@RakshaRS]

Super interesting conversation!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Glad you think so! ❤️

[@tanishajain7323]

So much to learn from you guys! ❤

[@karishmamehta3337]

What did you learn?

[@humansofbombay2801]

Such a brilliant conversation! ❤️

[@Aartipakar-uo3pj]

I am so inspired by zepto boys! If they can, I can!!

[@humansofbombay2801]

So inspiring! ❤️

[@stutishukla8167]

Can’t wait to watch their episode 🚀🧿

[@karishmamehta3337]

Pls watch and report on learnings!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Please do share your feedback! ❤️

[@poojachawla1623]

loved this ..❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thank you! 🙏🏻❤️

[@amrisharora6246]

Another thing is when liquidity dries up these type of opportunities go under with very little EBITA growth opportunity, well done boys so far…

[@mohitamhaskar2604]

Interesting to know their story!💯

[@humansofbombay2801]

Such an insane story! ❤️

[@rushipatel8908]

​@@humansofbombay2801 these people are privileged

[@rushipatel8908]

​@@humansofbombay2801there are lot of people who struggled a lot ,low tier colleges, no placements ,jobs ,low family background, a lot of problems, people face

[@sharayupillay5434]

❤❤ so insightful

[@humansofbombay2801]

🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@kinjalnandy7834]

lol tbh it sucks, I dropped out of cornell and moved to the Bay Area - now struggling with shit, but I know I'll figure it out, lol

[@athreya.20]

all the best man! U've got it!

[@traveltarzon]

I ordered seedless grapes they are delivered seeded grapes and not prviding for exchange of product at least

[@sandrathomas-pk7kq]

Amazing conversation as always.. just one request, Can you please use the microphone without the BIG BLUE BOX? Is it absolutely necessary?

[@arjunrao-bd3lm]

THE BIG BLUE BOX COULD BE A TRANSMITTER FOR WIRELESS MICROPHONE. OTHERWISE WHY WOULD THEY ATTACH SUCH A THING TO THE MIC?

[@zainabchechatwala8924]

What a journey ❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️❤️

[@callmeab]

Super Interesting

[@humansofbombay2801]

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏻❤️

[@sudipt83]

Awesome krishma ❤❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

🙏🏻❤️

[@thanviHimanshu]

I'm not sure any of the founder is billionaire, if so they shoud be in top 100richest list. they're sure millionaires..pls cross check 🙏

[@MrProxi99]

lol.! Why r u concerned about that… They r fs earning much more than u

[@thanviHimanshu]

@@MrProxi99 felt cool, &? Use common sense, I just pointed out their mistake in thumbnail/title.

[@MrProxi99]

@@thanviHimanshu Keep pointing out these irrelevant mistakes 🥱 while they’re earning bucks.. As if they care

[@xpotentialcd2832]

When they say billionaire that means the valuation of the company , that is 1.4B worth 12000cr .

[@devashishrakshit1]

​@pirzuha the company is valued at 1.4 billion, it's not their individual net worth.

[@sumitsingh-tf2bd]

Wohoo ❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

🙏🏻❤️

[@fatemaplumber4368]

❤❤❤❤

[@purveshyesaji8208]

The brains bro!

[@humansofbombay2801]

Absolutely! 💯❤️

[@mohsinbatatawala6271]

❤❤❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️❤️

[@ishasavardekar5343]

❤❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️❤️

[@user-lr5pu6yx7o]

I was just looking at Karishma only

[@amrisharora6246]

These kids have started well, it’s too early days though and it’s massively loss making opportunity so far, losing 150 cr or more

[@karanbaheti149]

“You will do it”! - Developers are for that

[@karanbaheti149]

In the flight

[@karanbaheti149]

Sleep

[@cjk9988]

So did they like do things inorder to get into Stanford or where they just doing stuff out of interest and Stanford just happened ..? 😅

[@yashuromana9546]

Mam you have same smile and facial expressions like kiara advani.

[@kotadiyachaitanya7957]

Hey mam do you need Video Editor. I can help you to save your Crucial time throughout my Editing skills.

[@smrutipragyandalai352]

I observe one thing that adit just can't stop drinking

[@gadgetsworld1898]

If you did not have green 💚 colour with you it means you married life not going good 👍😊 ?????? /

[@entanglednerves]

Ok Babaji 😅

[@karanbaheti149]

Netflix is an empty marketplace!

[@priyanshpatel4677]

`bhai Clickbait, Their company is valued at just over a billion dollars, they don't even own 5 percent of that. Kaivalya Vohra is the youngest Self made millionaire of India. If you can please correct the title.

[@sagzone8644]

How shallow and uninteresting can a person be? Karishma: i got u!!!

[@broHanSolo]

plagiarist.

[@nityapraveen5082]

Bro all I did during lockdown was make TikToks 🥲

[@humansofbombay2801]

Haha.. 🙈😁