The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) returns for its twelfth edition with a distinguished panel led by Wipro’s Rishad Premji. Meanwhile, quick commerce leader Zepto adjusts its strategy towards profitability, setting the stage for a potential future public listing.
- ETSA 2026 jury chaired by Rishad Premji includes top Indian tech founders.
- Zepto raises minimum order values to boost profitability before IPO.
- US green card approvals drop sharply, impacting Indian tech talent abroad.
What happened
The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) is back for its 12th edition, continuing as India’s premier platform recognizing outstanding entrepreneurial talent. The jury, chaired by Rishad Premji of Wipro, features prominent Indian tech and business leaders such as Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Sachin Bansal, and Ajit Mohan. The jury will convene in Bengaluru on August 25 to select winners from eight categories, with initial nominees announced for Bootstrap Champ and Top Innovator categories.
In parallel, Zepto, a leading quick commerce startup, is recalibrating its business model to emphasize profitability. After deferring its IPO due to pricing concerns from investors, Zepto has raised its minimum order value for free delivery and aims to increase the average order value by 25-30% in the coming quarters. This move aligns with strategies by peers like Blinkit and Instamart, focusing less on order volume growth and more on financial sustainability.
Why it matters
The ETSA jury’s diverse and high-profile composition underlines the significance of recognizing startups that demonstrate resilience and scalable frontier technology development. The awards not only boost visibility for emerging entrepreneurs but also signal investment and industry trends in India’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
Zepto’s shift towards profitability is a critical development for the Indian quick commerce sector, which faces mounting pressure to prove sustainable unit economics before entering public markets. The cautious stance of investors, exemplified by industry veterans like Raamdeo Agrawal, highlights the broader challenge startups confront balancing growth with path-to-profit clarity.
What to watch next
The jury deliberations at ETSA on August 25 will be closely watched to see which startups emerge as frontrunners in innovation and bootstrapped success. The results will likely influence funding and strategic partnerships among India’s venture and startup communities for the coming year.
Zepto’s evolving pricing strategy and impact on order volumes will be critical to monitor as it continues preparing for an IPO. Observers will look for signs of improved profitability metrics and how quickly the company can stabilize growth while maintaining customer retention amid higher minimum order requirements.