Rapid delivery was a response to consumer feedback, not a marketing gimmick: Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha

Speaking in a conversation with Garry Tan, CEO of startup accelerator Y Combinator, Palicha recalled that in Zepto’s early days—when he and his cofounders were making deliveries themselves—customers often complained about long wait times.

“People kept saying, ‘I’d rather buy from my fruit and vegetable vendor in the morning than wait 2–3 hours for you,’” Palicha said. This…