The Indian stock market is a theatre of constant change, but some performances truly capture the spotlight. This week, the remarkable ascent of social commerce platform Meesho on Dalal Street has delivered one such standout moment. As the company's shares surged to a fresh peak, sustained investor enthusiasm shifted the narrative beyond mere numbers and charts. The focus turned to the architect behind this success: the low-profile founder who has meticulously built the company away from the limelight. Vidit Aatrey, the co-founder of Meesho, has officially entered India's coveted billionaire club.
This milestone is far from a tale of sudden fortune. It is the culmination of nearly a decade of persistent effort, strategic pivots, and an unwavering commitment to empowering small-scale sellers. The recent stock market rally has simply illuminated this long and arduous journey, crowning Aatrey as one of India's newest self-made billionaires.
Meesho's Meteoric Rise on the Bourses
As per reports, Meesho's shares witnessed intense buying activity during Tuesday's trading session. The stock skyrocketed by over 13 percent, hitting a new 52-week high. This surge means the share price has appreciated by a staggering close to 75 percent from its issue price of Rs 111. The company had already made a powerful debut on the exchanges with a robust listing premium. Since that confident entry, consistent investor faith has propelled the stock on a steady upward trajectory.
A Billion-Dollar Milestone for the Founder
The sharp rally in Meesho's share price has had a direct and profound impact on Vidit Aatrey's personal wealth. Reports indicate he holds approximately 47.25 crore shares in the company, translating to an 11.1 percent stake. At the recent peak price, the value of this holding soared to around Rs 9,128 crore, effectively pushing his net worth to the $1 billion mark.
Co-founder Sanjeev Barnwal has also seen his wealth multiply. His holding of about 31.6 crore shares is now valued at nearly Rs 6,099 crore, underscoring the massive value creation for the founding duo.
The Evolution of a Social Commerce Pioneer
Meesho was established in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal. The initial years were defined by experimentation, with several early ideas failing to achieve the desired scale, prompting the founders to re-evaluate their strategy.
The pivotal breakthrough occurred when they identified a massive, underserved segment: small sellers, particularly homemakers, who were running informal businesses through social media and messaging apps. These entrepreneurs were manually handling everything from product catalogues to customer communications and pricing. This critical insight became the foundation upon which Meesho was rebuilt as a dedicated social commerce platform. The company's name, derived from "Meri Shop", perfectly encapsulates its mission to enable individuals and small businesses to operate their own digital storefronts.
As the platform gained traction, it attracted significant backing from a roster of prestigious global investors. These include Meta, SoftBank, Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, Naspers, and Elevation Capital. Their financial and strategic support was instrumental in scaling Meesho's operations and expanding its reach to sellers across the length and breadth of India.
Who is Vidit Aatrey?
Vidit Aatrey serves as the Chairman, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer of Meesho. He has been at the helm since the company's incorporation on August 13, 2015, steering its long-term vision. An IIT Delhi graduate in Electrical Engineering, Aatrey honed his skills with stints at ITC Ltd and InMobi before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey with Meesho.
His accomplishments as a founder have garnered widespread recognition. He has been featured on prestigious lists including Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 and Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 in 2018, Entrepreneur Magazine’s 35 Under 35 in 2019, and Fortune India’s 40 Under 40 in 2021, 2024, and 2025.
What Lies Ahead for Meesho?
The market continues to watch Meesho's journey with keen interest. Brokerage firm Choice Equities has initiated coverage on the stock with a BUY rating and a target price of Rs 200. The firm believes Meesho is still in a potent growth phase.
Analysts expect the company's expansion to be driven by its core focus on value-driven e-commerce and enhancements in logistics efficiency as operations scale further. Profitability is anticipated to improve over time as the business gains greater operating leverage, making its current market rally a story backed by strong fundamental expectations.
