Deepinder Goyal Story is one of resilience, passion, and redefining how India eats. From humble beginnings in Punjab to co-founding one of the world’s most influential food tech companies, Zomato, his journey is a masterclass in adapting to user needs. What began as a simple idea to digitize restaurant menus evolved into a global platform offering food delivery, dining reviews, and more. With over 100 million monthly active users across 20+ countries, Zomato is more than a food app—it’s a lifestyle. Deepinder’s story shows how a problem close to home can spark global impact.
Basic Details
| Legal Name | Eternal Ltd |
| Brand | Zomato |
| Founder | Deepinder Goyal |
| Co-Founder | Pankaj Chaddah |
| CEO | Deepinder Goyal |
| Industry | FoodTech |
| Website | www.zomato.com |
| Year of Founding | 2008 (Gurugram, Haryana) |
| Founder Education | B.Tech, IIT Delhi |
| Valuation | Approx. $9.6 Billion (as of 2025) |
| Employees | 3,800+ |
| Headquarter | Gurugram, Haryana, India |
PERSONAL STORY: DEEPINDER GOYAL
Deepinder Goyal was born in Muktsar, Punjab, INDIA to a modest family of educators. His childhood was shaped by discipline, education, and a quiet determination. Growing up in a small town, he learned the value of simplicity and hard work. These early experiences rooted him in humility—even as his ambitions grew.
After earning a B.Tech from IIT Delhi, Deepinder took up a job at Bain & Company. It was here, during lunch hours, that he noticed a recurring problem—long queues around a stack of restaurant menus. This frustration sparked a simple solution: digitize them. That idea became the seed of Zomato.
But his personal journey wasn’t all smooth. In the early days, he had to convince his own family that leaving a stable job for a startup wasn’t crazy. He lived modestly, poured savings into his idea, and worked tirelessly. There were moments of self-doubt, financial strain, and burnout—but Deepinder never gave up.
He faced mental health challenges during Zomato’s intense scaling phases and learned the importance of taking care of his emotional well-being. Therapy, self-awareness, and leadership coaching helped him grow not just as a founder but as a person.
Today, Deepinder is not just a successful entrepreneur—he’s a symbol of how far belief and persistence can take you. His personal story is one of grit, grounded values, and continuous growth.
FOUNDING STORY: ZOMATO
he spark for Zomato came from a very real, relatable pain point: hunting for restaurant menus during corporate lunch hours. At Bain, Deepinder and his colleague Pankaj Chaddah noticed how time-consuming it was to find menus. They scanned them, uploaded them online, and created a platform called “Foodiebay” in 2008.
They bootstrapped the company in its early days, working long hours and depending on personal savings. In 2010, Foodiebay rebranded as Zomato—and that’s when the real journey began.
Initial struggles were everywhere: getting restaurants to partner, user adoption, tech infrastructure, and even just explaining the idea of online menus in India’s early digital era. But small wins—like positive word of mouth and growing web traffic—kept them going.
A turning point came in 2011 when Info Edge invested $1 million. This funding helped them expand into new cities and scale faster. They continued raising capital and expanded internationally by 2012.
However, not every decision worked. Company made several acquisitions that didn’t yield expected results, faced layoffs, and even pulled out of a few markets. Deepinder learned hard lessons in focus, burn rates, and leadership under pressure.
The launch of food delivery in 2015 became another major inflection point. From being a restaurant discovery platform, Zomato became a full-stack foodtech company—delivering food, offering reviews, and enabling restaurant reservations.
Despite intense competition, Company remained resilient. In July 2021, it became the first Indian unicorn to go public in the foodtech sector.
COMPANY PROFILE: ZOMATO
Zomato is a global food-tech company based in India, helping users discover restaurants, order food, book tables, and access dining subscriptions. As of 2025, it operates in over 20 countries with a strong presence in India, the UAE, and Southeast Asia.
Products & Services Offered:
- Online Food Delivery – Connecting users with restaurants through doorstep delivery.
- Restaurant Discovery – Reviews, ratings, and listings to help users explore food spots.
- Zomato Gold (now Zomato Pro) – Subscription for exclusive dining and delivery discounts.
- Zomato Live Events – Curated food & music experiences.
- Hyperpure – Supplies fresh ingredients to restaurants.
- Zomato Kitchen – Cloud kitchen infrastructure to support delivery-only restaurants.
Business Model:
Company follows a hybrid model—B2C for food delivery and reviews, and B2B through Hyperpure and kitchens.
Revenue Model:
- Delivery charges and restaurant commissions
- Subscriptions (Zomato Pro)
- Advertising and promoted listings
- Hyperpure B2B sales
- White-label cloud kitchens
Market Landscape:
The food delivery industry is projected to hit $110 billion in India by 2030. Zomato, along with Swiggy, dominates the Indian space. Globally, it competes with Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Deliveroo. In 2025, Zomato has a market share of 54% in Indian metros.
USP:
- Strong brand trust and urban reach
- Multi-service platform (discovery + delivery + dining)
- Integrated B2B ecosystem through Hyperpure
- Early mover advantage in tier-2 cities
Funding & Investment:
- Total raised: $2.5 Billion+
- Key investors: Info Edge, Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global, Ant Group, Temasek, and SoftBank
- IPO in 2021 at a $12B valuation
- Post-IPO, continues to raise capital through QIPs
Growth Highlights:
- 2015: Launched food delivery
- 2021: IPO launch
- 2022–2023: Acquisition of Blinkit (grocery delivery)
- 2024: Expanded into AI-driven meal suggestions and nutrition tracking
- 2025: Zomato crosses ₹10,000 Cr in revenue
Team Size & Culture:
Zomato has over 3,800 employees across tech, operations, and support. It promotes a fast-moving, ownership-driven culture. Founders are known for transparency (often posting company updates on social media) and a lean, high-performance environment.
Mission Statement:
“Better food for more people.” This mission underscores Zomato’s dedication to:
- Enhancing Customer Experience: Providing a diverse range of food options to cater to various consumer preferences.
- Supporting Restaurant Partners: Empowering restaurants through technology-driven solutions, including online ordering, delivery logistics, and marketing support.
- Leveraging Technology: Utilizing data analytics and AI to optimize delivery routes, improve inventory management, and streamline operations.
Vision Statement
“To create a world where no one has a bad meal.”
Zomato’s vision focuses on:
- Global Reach: Aiming to be the go-to platform for restaurant discovery worldwide, connecting people from different cultures through their shared love of food.
- Community Engagement: Building a community of food lovers who share their passion for great food and dining experiences.
- Sustainability: Promoting sustainable practices in the food industry, including reducing food waste and supporting local businesses.
Awards & Achievements:
- “Best App for Food Delivery” – Play Store, 2023
- “Most Trusted FoodTech Brand” – Economic Times, 2024
- “Top 10 Most Valuable Indian Startups” – Business Today, 2025
Future Plans:
- Expand cloud kitchens under Zomato Kitchens
- Integrate AI and AR into the app for smart recommendations
- Expand grocery delivery through Blinkit
- Pilot drone deliveries in urban metros
- IPO of Hyperpure as a standalone unit by 2027
FOUNDER GUIDE
“The goal is not to be the best company in the world, but the best company for the world.”
— Deepinder Goyal, Co-founder & CEO, Zomato
Founder Advice to Entrepreneurs:
- Start small, solve a real problem.
- Stay close to your users—build with empathy.
- Be ready to pivot when needed, but stay committed to your vision.
- Surround yourself with people who believe in the mission.
- Learn to lead yourself before you lead others.
WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE STORY
Deepinder Goyal story reminds us that great businesses don’t start in boardrooms—they start with frustration, empathy, and action. Zomato’s story is proof that solving real, everyday problems with consistency can lead to global impact.
