In a major step towards going public, e-commerce startup Meesho has officially changed its name from Meesho Private Limited to Meesho Limited, signalling its intent to become a publicly listed company. The name change was approved by the board at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held earlier this month.

This move is a key milestone in the company’s journey towards a planned ₹8,500 crore (approximately $1 billion) initial public offering (IPO) expected later this year. The change also brings Meesho in line with other IPO-bound Indian startups such as Swiggy and Lenskart, both of which underwent similar corporate restructuring steps in recent times.

IPO Intent and Structural Reforms

The name change is not just cosmetic—it is a mandatory regulatory formality that signals Meesho’s transformation from a private limited company to a public limited company, in line with Indian corporate law.

For a company to be listed on the Indian stock exchanges, it must first convert to a ‘Limited’ entity from a ‘Private Limited’ one. This allows for public shareholding and greater regulatory disclosures, paving the way for retail and institutional investments via the bourses.

The IPO will give investors a chance to own a part of one of India’s fastest-growing e-commerce startups, which has carved a niche by catering to price-sensitive customers and small businesses, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Awaiting Flip Back Approval

Despite the name change, Meesho cannot proceed to list on the Indian stock market until it receives final approval for the “flip back” of its registered base from Delaware (USA) to India.

This legal shift, commonly referred to as a “reverse flip”, is essential for Indian startups that were originally incorporated overseas but wish to list domestically. The trend of flipping back to India is gaining momentum, driven by changes in regulations, investor expectations, and patriotic capital alignment.

Until the flip structure is finalised and approved by regulatory bodies, Meesho’s IPO process remains incomplete. But industry watchers believe the formalities will likely conclude soon, given the momentum and institutional interest around the company.

IPO Banking and Advisory Team

Meesho has already appointed a trio of global and domestic financial institutions to lead its IPO:

• Morgan Stanley

• Kotak Mahindra Capital

• Citi

These banks are working closely with Meesho to structure the offering, determine the valuation, and guide the company through the regulatory approval process with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Background: From Social Commerce to E-Commerce Leader

Founded in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, both alumni of IIT Delhi, Meesho started as a social commerce platform that empowered homemakers and small entrepreneurs to sell products via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.

Over the years, it has transformed into a full-fledged e-commerce marketplace, competing directly with giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal. Its focus on zero commission models, hyper-local logistics, and budget product lines made it especially popular among non-urban consumers.

Today, Meesho is one of the most downloaded shopping apps in India and claims millions of small sellers on its platform.

Investor Backing and Funding Journey

Over the years, Meesho has attracted an impressive roster of global investors, having raised over $1.3 billion in funding. Some of the notable backers include:

• Tiger Global

• SoftBank

• Elevation Capital

• Meta (formerly Facebook)

These investors are expected to partially offload their stakes during the IPO, enabling liquidity while providing fresh capital inflow for Meesho’s expansion plans.

Potential Valuation and Market Buzz

Though Meesho has not publicly disclosed its expected valuation, analysts suggest it could be valued at $6 to $7 billion during the IPO. Given its strong revenue growth, digital penetration, and focus on affordability, the IPO is expected to generate strong interest from both retail and institutional investors.

If it lists as planned in 2025, Meesho could be one of the biggest IPOs in India’s e-commerce space, ahead of Flipkart, which is also reportedly planning an IPO but is awaiting a decision from its parent company Walmart.

How Meesho Stands Apart

While other e-commerce giants cater primarily to urban, tech-savvy consumers, Meesho’s strength lies in:

• Empowering resellers and small business owners

• Operating in low-price, high-volume segments

• Offering delivery and payments infrastructure to under-served users

This differentiated model, backed by AI-driven logistics and data-led marketing, has given Meesho a distinct edge in a crowded market.

Meesho vs Flipkart: Who Will List First?

Flipkart, founded in 2007 and now owned by Walmart, is widely seen as India’s original e-commerce success story. However, its IPO plans have seen multiple delays, primarily due to strategic timing considerations by Walmart.

If Meesho goes ahead with its listing in 2025, it will beat Flipkart to the public markets—a major symbolic and strategic victory, especially given Meesho’s younger age and smaller scale.

This will also demonstrate the shifting power dynamics in the Indian startup ecosystem, where agility and strategic timing often trump size and legacy.

Regulatory Landscape and IPO Readiness

Going public in India involves stringent regulatory checks by SEBI. The process includes:

• Submission of draft red herring prospectus (DRHP)

• Financial disclosures and promoter holdings

• Regulatory clearance of corporate restructuring

• Roadshows and investor pitch meetings

Meesho is currently in the final stages of documentation and legal structuring, with regulatory green lights expected in the coming months.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Meesho

With the name change now official, Meesho is firmly on the path to becoming a publicly listed e-commerce powerhouse. Its upcoming IPO not only represents a monumental milestone for the company but also reflects a broader trend of Indian startups maturing into public enterprises.

Key takeaways from Meesho’s transition:

• The IPO will offer liquidity to investors and employees

• It will help Meesho scale operations, enhance infrastructure, and build new product lines

• The listing may inspire other growth-stage startups to go public and deepen India’s capital markets

As India’s digital economy accelerates, companies like Meesho are playing a pivotal role in democratising commerce, generating employment, and promoting innovation.

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The Current active IPO are Jainik Power Cables, Sacheerome Limited.

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