The Indian startup ecosystem witnessed a landmark moment on Monday, 16 December 2025, as Vidit Aatrey, the co-founder and CEO of e-commerce platform Meesho, officially entered the billionaire club. This dramatic wealth creation followed a stellar stock market debut where Meesho's shares skyrocketed more than 74% on their first day of trading.
The Blockbuster Market Debut
According to data from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Meesho's share price witnessed a powerful rally, hitting an intraday high of ₹193.50 per share. This represented a massive jump from its issue price. The public issue had an upper price band of ₹111 per share. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the stock listed at a premium of 53.56% at ₹170.45, while on the BSE, it debuted at ₹170.20, a premium of 53.33%.
The phenomenal listing day performance fueled the wealth of the company's founders, particularly Vidit Aatrey, whose significant stake in the company saw its valuation soar.
Vidit Aatrey's Staggering Net Worth Revealed
BSE shareholding data reveals that Vidit Aatrey holds a direct 10.12% stake in Meesho. This translates to ownership of over 45.65 crore equity shares. At the day's peak share price, this stake was valued at a staggering more than ₹8,834 crore, firmly placing him in the ranks of India's billionaires.
It is noteworthy that Aatrey also participated in the Offer for Sale (OFS) component of the IPO. He divested 1.6 crore shares, which at the upper price band would have fetched nearly ₹177.60 crore. While his exact total net worth remains private, the market capitalization of his remaining stake provides a clear indicator of his newfound billionaire status.
The IITian Behind the E-Commerce Unicorn
Vidit Aatrey's journey to this milestone began with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi in 2012. He started his professional career in the operations division of FMCG major ITC Limited.
After a brief stint at the mobile advertising firm InMobi, Aatrey, along with co-founder Sanjeev Kumar, launched Meesho in 2015. The Bengaluru-based startup, backed by global investors like SoftBank, pioneered the social commerce model in India, enabling millions of small entrepreneurs to start online businesses.
Co-founder Sanjeev Kumar holds a 6.64% stake in Meesho, valued at over ₹579.87 crore as of Monday's trading. He also sold 1.6 crore shares in the IPO's OFS.
The strong investor confidence extended into the next trading session. On Tuesday, Meesho's share price continued its upward trend, trading 5.62% higher at ₹180.35 at 3:08 PM IST, compared to the previous close of ₹170.75.
The successful IPO and the creation of a new billionaire founder underscore the maturation of India's startup landscape, showcasing how homegrown ideas can achieve monumental financial success and create substantial wealth for their creators.
