Who is Akriti Chopra? Zomato’s Co-Founder Resigned from Her Role?

Akriti Chopra, co-founder of Zomato, resigned from her position on September 27, 2024. She has put in 13 years of dedication and hard work to the company, helping it grow into one of the largest food delivery platforms in the world. 

She has been working with this Gurugram-based food and grocery delivery platform since 2011 as a senior manager of finance and operations.

Chopra was promoted to the role of co-founder in 2021, contributing significantly to the company's achievements and growth. 

Chopra announced her resignation "effective today, September 27" in an email sent to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal that was posted with the company's stock exchange filing. The corporation announced that she had quit to pursue other interests.

Who is Akriti Chopra?

Akriti Chopra, born in 1988, is a prominent Indian entrepreneur known for her role as co-founder and Chief People Officer of Zomato, an online food delivery service.

Akriti Chopra, born in 1988, is a prominent Indian entrepreneur known for her role as co-founder and Chief People Officer of Zomato, an online food delivery service.

Early Life

Akriti Chopra was born in 1988 and grew up in Gurugram, India. She completed her schooling at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, a prestigious institution known for its academic excellence. Following her schooling, she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi.

Career

Chopra began her professional journey as an articled assistant at PwC, where she specialised in tax and regulatory practices. In 2011, she joined Zomato as a Senior Manager in Finance and Operations. 

Over the years, she ascended through various roles, becoming Vice President of Finance and Operations in 2012, Chief Financial Officer in 2020, and finally co-founder and Chief People Officer in 2021. 

Her leadership was pivotal during Zomato's initial public offering (IPO) in 2021, where her Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was valued at approximately ₹149 crore.

Achievements and Recognition

Chopra's contributions to Zomato have been widely recognised. She was listed in Forbes India's '30 Under 30' in 2017 and named 'Woman of the Year' in 2018 for her impactful leadership. Under her guidance, Zomato established robust governance, legal, risk, and compliance teams.

Personal Life

Akriti Chopra is married to Albinder Dhindsa, co-founder of Blinkit, which was acquired by Zomato in 2022. Her journey from an employee to a co-founder serves as an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs and women in business.

What's the Reason for Chopra's Resignation?

Akriti Chopra resigned from her position as co-founder and Chief People Officer of Zomato effective September 27, 2024, after a 13-year tenure. 

In her resignation email, she expressed gratitude for her experiences and indicated a desire to pursue other interests outside the company.

Her departure follows shareholder concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest related to Zomato's acquisition of Blinkit in 2022, as Chopra is married to Blinkit's founder, Albinder Dhindsa. 

Despite these concerns, Zomato clarified that Chopra had no role in the acquisition discussions. Her exit marks the fifth departure of a co-founder from Zomato since its inception.

What were the Main Reasons Behind the Shareholder Concerns?

Shareholder concerns regarding Akriti Chopra's resignation from Zomato primarily stem from potential conflicts of interest associated with her marriage to Albinder Dhindsa, the founder of Blinkit, which Zomato acquired in 2022. Key reasons include:

Conflict of Interest: Shareholders were apprehensive about Chopra's dual role, fearing that her personal relationship could influence business decisions related to Blinkit, potentially compromising Zomato's governance and strategic direction.

Corporate Governance Issues: Concerns were raised about the adequacy of Zomato's governance structures, especially following a series of co-founder departures. Shareholders may have felt that the board was not sufficiently independent or transparent in its decision-making processes.

Management Accountability: There is a growing trend of shareholder activism, where investors demand greater accountability from management. 

Shareholders may have felt that Chopra’s continued presence could hinder necessary changes or oversight regarding the company's operations and strategic choices.