**Bengaluru, India, October 19, 2025** — In a significant development for India's booming digital economy, e-commerce giant Meesho has officially received the green light from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its much-anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO). This approval paves the way for the company to raise an impressive $700-800 million, marking a pivotal moment not just for Meesho, but for a growing list of Indian new-age tech firms eager to tap into public markets. ^{[1][2][3][4][5]}The move positions Meesho for a December 2025 listing, aiming to become the first pure-play horizontal e-commerce marketplace to debut on Indian bourses. T^[1][3][4]his public offering is expected to be a mix of fresh equity issuance and an offer for sale (OFS) by existing investors, injecting substantial capital into the company while providing early backers with an exit opportunity. ^{[1][2][3][4][5]}### The Full Story Meesho, founded in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, began its journey as a social commerce platform, empowering individuals, particularly women, to start online businesses by reselling products through social networks like WhatsApp and Facebook. O^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}ver time, the Bengaluru-based company strategically pivoted to a pure-play e-commerce model, successfully capturing a strong foothold in India's non-metro markets by offering a wide array of products at affordable prices. ^[6][4]The updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed with SEBI outlines plans to raise approximately Rs 5,800-6,600 crore, equivalent to $700-800 million. A^[3][5] substantial portion of this, around Rs 4,150-4,250 crore ($500 million), will come from a fresh issue of equity shares. T^[2][3][4][5]he remaining funds will be generated through the Offer For Sale component, where early investors such as Elevation Capital, Peak XV Partners, Venture Highway, and Y Combinator will dilute some of their holdings. E^{[1][2][3][4][5]}ven co-founders Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal are expected to partially offload their stakes. ^[1][4][5]What's particularly interesting is Meesho's journey towards this public debut. The company recently completed a "reverse flip," relocating its headquarters from Delaware to India, a strategic move approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in June. T^[5]his transition reportedly involved a tax payment of about $288 million, underscoring the company's commitment to its Indian roots ahead of the listing. ^[5]Financially, Meesho has shown impressive growth and a significant move towards profitability. In the fiscal year 2024 (FY24), the company reported operating revenue of Rs 7,615 crore, marking a 33% increase year-over-year. M^[12][13]ore notably, its adjusted losses (excluding ESOP costs) dramatically fell by 97% to just Rs 53 crore, and it achieved a positive free cash flow of Rs 197 crore, a first for a horizontal e-commerce platform in India. T^[12][13]his financial discipline is a strong signal to potential investors. ### What This Means This IPO is a massive vote of confidence for Meesho's unique business model, which focuses on empowering small businesses and individual entrepreneurs across India, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. B^[6][9][10]y operating on a zero-commission model for sellers, Meesho enables them to maximize their profits and reach a wider customer base without significant upfront investment. ^[7][10]For everyday consumers, Meesho's public listing could mean continued investment in technology, logistics, and wider product selection, potentially leading to even more affordable options and improved service delivery. The funds raised are earmarked for scaling server infrastructure, bolstering marketing efforts, enhancing warehousing and logistics networks, and potential acquisitions, all aimed at deepening its penetration into the Indian e-commerce ecosystem. ^{[1][13][3][4]}For investors, Meesho presents an opportunity to invest in a rapidly growing e-commerce player with a strong focus on value retailing and profitability. While its valuation currently stands at around $3.9-4 billion, down from a peak of $5 billion, market interest could push its post-IPO valuation higher, potentially reaching $7-10 billion. ^{[12][13][14][3][5]}**Key Points:** * Meesho has received SEBI approval for its IPO, targeting a December 2025 listing. *^[1][3][4][5] The company aims to raise between $700-800 million (Rs 5,800-6,600 crore). *^[3][5] The IPO includes a fresh issue of approximately $500 million and an Offer For Sale by existing investors and founders. *^[2][3][4][5] Meesho reported Rs 7,615 crore in operating revenue in FY24, with adjusted losses falling 97% to Rs 53 crore. *^[12][13] It achieved positive free cash flow of Rs 197 crore in FY24, a significant milestone. *^[12][13] The company recently completed a "reverse flip," shifting its domicile from Delaware to India. ^[5]### The Bigger Picture Meesho's IPO is not an isolated event but part of a larger trend of Indian new-age tech companies making their way to public markets. 2024 saw a vibrant IPO season, with 13 new-age tech companies collectively raising INR 29,000 crore. C^{[15][16][17][18]}ompanies like Swiggy, Go Digit, TBO Tek, Awfis, and ixigo successfully debuted, demonstrating a strong appetite among investors for promising tech ventures. ^[16]This positive market sentiment is expected to continue into 2025. Several other prominent startups, including eyewear retailer Lenskart and stockbroking platform Groww, are also in various stages of their IPO plans, eyeing public listings in the coming months. T^{[15][3][19][20]}his flurry of activity highlights India's growing stature as a hub for digital innovation and investor confidence in its domestic market. Experts note that while Meesho lags behind giants like Amazon and Flipkart in gross merchandise value (GMV), it surpasses them in daily orders, particularly in the value retailing segment. ^[3][4]### What Happens Next? With SEBI approval in hand, Meesho will now finalize the pricing and exact dates for its IPO. The company's management, along with its lead advisors including JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Kotak Mahindra Capital, and Axis Capital, will work to ensure a smooth market debut. I^[13]nvestors will be keenly watching for the official IPO launch date, price band, and allotment details, which are expected to be announced soon. ^[11]The success of Meesho's IPO could further energize the Indian startup ecosystem, encouraging more privately held tech companies to consider public listings. It will be a test of how the market values a company that has not only achieved significant scale but also demonstrated a clear path to profitability by empowering millions of small entrepreneurs. The coming months will be crucial as Meesho prepares to open its doors to public investors, marking a new chapter in its mission to democratize e-commerce in India and solidify its position as a market leader.