e-commerce
Zepto names Rachit Ranjan its chief public policy officer in a bid to power responsible growth
MUMBAI: The delivery race isn’t just about speed anymore; it’s about strategy. India’s breakout quick commerce unicorn, Zepto has appointed Rachit Ranjan as its chief public policy officer, effective May 2025. The move signals the startup’s intent to double down on responsible innovation as it scales across India’s hyper-competitive e-commerce landscape.
Ranjan will lead Zepto’s policy, regulatory and government affairs, helping shape frameworks that align the company’s rapid expansion with national priorities like digital inclusion, job creation, and ethical growth. He brings with him more than 15 years of policy and regulatory experience, with a CV that spans Dream11, Whatsapp, Juul Labs and Uber.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rachit to Zepto. As we scale rapidly across India, having a sharp, mission-driven leader in public policy is more important than ever. Rachit brings a deep understanding of the policy landscape and a proven ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders—qualities that are crucial to navigating a fast-evolving regulatory environment and building long-term value”, said Zepto co-founder & CEO Aadit Palicha.
An alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and NUJS Kolkata, Ranjan has operated at the intersection of governance and tech for over a decade. On his appointment, he noted, “Zepto’s incredible growth story has captured the imagination of the entire country. I’m thrilled to join Zepto at such a transformative time for both the company and the quick commerce space. I look forward to working with the amazing team at Zepto to deliver innovation that is responsible and aligned with the broader vision of inclusive growth. In doing so, I also look forward to working in partnership with the Government and stakeholders to ensure Zepto plays a crucial role in realising India’s techade”.
His appointment reaffirms Zepto’s commitment to shaping a transparent, sustainable and compliant growth path in a sector where policy uncertainty and scale are often at odds. With Ranjan at the helm of public policy, Zepto appears ready to zip past that contradiction.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
