Introduction
India’s startup ecosystem is no stranger to scrutiny, especially from high-ranking officials. Recently, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal made a bold statement during Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, questioning the focus of Indian startups. Specifically, he asked, “Should we aspire to be, or are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls?”
This remark came as a challenge to startups focused on quick-commerce, particularly those offering food delivery and hyperlocal logistics. The comment sparked reactions from many entrepreneurs, including Aadit Palicha, CEO of Zepto, one of India’s leading quick-commerce platforms.
Zepto CEO Responds to Goyal’s Criticism
Zepto’s Growth and Impact
Aadit Palicha took to social media to defend the role of consumer internet startups in India’s economy. He pointed out that Zepto, founded just 3.5 years ago, has not only created over 1.5 lakh jobs but also contributed more than ₹1,000 crore in taxes annually.
These figures underline the economic significance of companies like Zepto, even if they are in the delivery business. Palicha’s defense focused on the broad range of benefits quick-commerce platforms bring, including job creation, tax contributions, and infrastructure development.
Investments and Expansion
Palicha also highlighted Zepto’s success in attracting investments—with more than $1 billion in foreign direct investment. These funds have been used to modernize India’s backend supply chains—especially for fresh produce—thus creating a more efficient and scalable retail network for the country.
The Larger Debate on Technology and Innovation
While Palicha defended the importance of consumer internet startups, he also pointed out that India’s tech ecosystem lacks its own foundational AI models—something that global giants like Amazon, Facebook, and Google were able to build after starting with consumer internet companies.
Palicha’s point is clear: To build the next generation of deep-tech innovations (like AI and robotics), India needs to support and encourage its consumer internet platforms—not undermine them.
Goyal’s Call for Technological Innovation
On the other side of the debate, Goyal’s remarks stemmed from his desire to shift focus towards more technologically advanced sectors—like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. He encouraged Indian startups to build products in these fields, beyond just being delivery services.
The Importance of Deep Tech
Goyal’s perspective is that India’s startup ecosystem must evolve. The country should not just be a delivery service hub but should develop its own technology, particularly in AI and robotics, which could define the next era of technological innovation.
He emphasized that startups should aim for transformational products, not merely services that rely on existing infrastructure.
The Role of Consumer Internet in Tech Growth
From Consumer Internet to AI and Robotics
Palicha countered by pointing out that consumer internet startups are often the first stepping stones toward deeper technological advancements. Companies like Amazon and Facebook didn’t start by creating AI—they started with consumer-facing products that were widely adopted. Their success allowed them to scale and eventually invest in advanced research.
Palicha argued that startups like Zepto could evolve into future tech innovators if the ecosystem supported them. His point was clear: technology doesn’t develop in a vacuum—it grows from practical applications.
The Need for Balanced Focus
Palicha also urged the startup ecosystem, government, and investors to understand that consumer internet and deep-tech innovation are not mutually exclusive. Both are needed for a healthy, balanced innovation ecosystem.
Supporting Startups for Future Growth
The government and investors must recognize that startups contribute significantly to the economy and job creation, and they should be supported in their current efforts. At the same time, there should be an encouragement for these platforms to graduate into more complex technologies.
Conclusion
The debate between Piyush Goyal and Aadit Palicha underscores an important point: India’s startup ecosystem is evolving. While Goyal calls for a push towards deep-tech and AI, entrepreneurs like Palicha remind us that consumer-facing startups are vital building blocks for the next phase of technological development.
Zepto, and startups like it, are not just delivery platforms; they are catalysts that could potentially drive India’s future in tech innovation. Rather than viewing them as limited to delivery services, the focus should be on empowering these startups to push the envelope on technology and pave the way for a more advanced, digital future.