At the ET Startup Awards 2026, Meesho CEO Vidit Aatrey and Groww CEO Lalit Keshre discussed the shift to public markets nearly a year after their listings. The executives highlighted the pressure of quarterly earnings and the deep responsibility they feel toward retail investors who have entrusted their savings to these platforms.
On October 9, 2026, at the ET Startup Awards in Bengaluru, leaders from two of India’s most prominent tech companies discussed the realities of operating as public entities. Meesho CEO Vidit Aatrey and Groww CEO Lalit Keshre, whose companies listed on the NSE and BSE in late 2025, reflected on how life has changed since moving from private startups to public corporations.
The Pressure of Quarterly Reporting
Both executives spoke about the shift in operational focus required after an initial public offering (IPO). For a private company, the primary focus is often on long-term growth and capturing market share. However, public companies face the constant demand of quarterly earnings reports. This cadence requires a disciplined approach, where companies must meet short-term performance targets while still trying to protect their long-term business strategy. Aatrey explained that balancing these two needs is a major change that requires strict internal coordination.
Accountability to Retail Investors
Beyond the operational shifts, the CEOs highlighted the emotional and professional responsibility that comes with managing a public company. Meesho’s leadership noted that their first annual general meeting brought them face-to-face with retail shareholders, including retirees who had invested their lifetime savings into the company. This reality adds a layer of accountability that goes beyond simple business metrics. It requires management to think about the impact of every decision on the financial well-being of thousands of individuals.
Groww’s Customer-Shareholder Model
Groww, which was awarded 'Startup of the Year' at the 2026 event, shared a slightly different perspective. CEO Lalit Keshre noted that because a large part of their user base is also invested in their stock, the traditional divide between customers and shareholders is smaller. This alignment has allowed the company to keep its focus consistent with its pre-listing strategy, as the interests of their users and investors often overlap.
Growth and Market Maturity
This discussion comes as both companies have cemented their status as major market players. With valuations exceeding $10 billion, both Meesho and Groww have grown significantly since their market debut. Their inclusion in the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index during the September 2026 review further signals their integration into the broader investment ecosystem. For investors, the next phase for these companies will involve proving that they can maintain this growth and handle the governance requirements of such large-scale operations without compromising their original business goals.