Bengaluru, July 18, 2025 — e‑commerce unicorn Udaan has acquired retail‑tech startup ShopKirana in an all‑stock transaction, strengthening its position in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and the HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, catering) sector ahead of its much-anticipated IPO. Info Edge also joins Udaan’s shareholder base through this share swap.
Founded in 2015, ShopKirana delivers digital procurement, transparent pricing, and efficient logistics to kirana stores in Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities such as Indore, Bhopal, Lucknow, Agra, Surat, and Meerut. By integrating ShopKirana’s rural tech tools with Udaan’s broad supply chain and credit infrastructure, the combined entity aims to enhance efficiency and accelerate growth across Bharat.
Strategic and Financial Upside
Udaan closed a $114 million Series G round in June, and this acquisition marks a pivotal step toward IPO readiness and profitability. The company has already reduced fixed costs by 20% and cut EBITDA burn by 40% in 2024, with further gains expected post-merger.
“This acquisition is a strategic milestone in our journey to the IPO and beyond,” said Vaibhav Gupta, co‑founder and CEO of Udaan. “Together, we’re better positioned to become the preferred partner for both shopkeepers and brands.”
ShopKirana’s co‑founder Sumit Ghorawat added: “This partnership brings together our FMCG expertise and Udaan’s scale enabling us to serve more retailers, more efficiently.”
What This Means for Bharat
By doubling down on digital infrastructure, Udaan aims to become the dominant e‑B2B platform in India’s underserved markets. The acquisition brings:
- Deeper penetration into kirana-led markets
- Enhanced supply chain and tech integration
- Stronger unit economics and margin control
- Added investor confidence ahead of the IPO
Follow StartupStoryIndia for more insights as India’s top e‑commerce platforms evolve with strategic M&A moves in the post-unicorn race.
