New Delhi, Jan. 21 -- As quick commerce platforms mature beyond last-mile delivery, their role in shaping India's startup ecosystem is beginning to shift. Zepto's newly announcedNova innovation programme reflects this transition, positioning the platform not just as a marketplace but as an enabler of early-stage manufacturing and product innovation.

The IPO-bound company has selected eight startups for the first cohort of Zepto Nova, an initiative launched in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The programme is designed to help young manufacturing-led startups test market demand, gain visibility, and navigate logistics using Zepto's hyperlocal delivery network.

The inaugural cohort was s...