New Delhi, March 26 -- With the social share sale of almost $250 million, Zepto, an online grocery startup, is preparing for an introduction most awaited one. It aims to bring in greater participation by Indian investors with this strategic shift before the IPO.

Initiations of negotiations are being carried out for acquiring shares by private equity firms Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. and Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd.

It is a secondary sale, whereby Zepto would not be raising any new capital but would let employees and existing investors cash out with their sales.

Deals are speculated to be closing with a valuation just above $5 billion, in line with its last funding round.

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