Delhivery appoints Milind Sharma to lead rapid commerce, D2C

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Gurugram-based logistics company Delhivery appoints Milind Sharma as its head of Rapid Commerce and D2C brands, marking his return to the company where he was an early team member. Sharma, who was part of Delhivery’s founding team in 2012, had left to co-found PepperTap, a now-defunct grocery delivery service. With over 14 years of experience in e-commerce, hyperlocal, and quick commerce, he is set to lead Delhivery’s intracity logistics and expand its direct-to-consumer offerings.

Sharma aims to develop Delhivery’s Rapid Commerce service, which provides same-day and next-day deliveries from dark stores. His role will also involve overseeing Delhivery’s entire direct-to-consumer (D2C) product portfolio. Having successfully led ventures such as Nuvo Logistics and Shadowfax, Sharma brings a deep understanding of scaling logistics businesses.

CEO Sahil Barua welcomed Sharma back, emphasizing his entrepreneurial mindset and expertise in consumer businesses. Delhivery, which recently reported a 114% increase in net profit for Q3FY25, continues to strengthen its leadership team to drive growth in the logistics and e-commerce sectors.

1. Introduction to Delhivery

1.1 Business Model and Services

Delhivery operates as a third-party logistics (3PL) service provider, offering solutions for e-commerce, express parcel deliveries, and supply chain management. The company specializes in handling high-speed deliveries, freight services, and warehousing solutions, supporting businesses across India.

1.2 Revenue Model

Delhivery earns revenue through multiple channels, including parcel delivery services, fulfillment centers, cross-border logistics, and business-to-business (B2B) freight movement. The company charges fees based on distance, weight, and delivery speed.

1.3 Funding and Growth

Since its inception, Delhivery has raised over $1.4 billion from investors, including SoftBank, Tiger Global, and Carlyle Group. It went public in May 2022, securing INR 5,235 crore ($660 million) through an IPO.

2. Milind Sharma’s Role in Delhivery

2.1 Sharma’s Return to Delhivery

Milind Sharma was among Delhivery’s founding team members in 2012, helping scale operations to 100,000 daily orders before leaving in 2013. His return signifies a strategic move to enhance Delhivery’s Rapid Commerce and D2C offerings.

2.2 Responsibilities at Delhivery

Sharma will focus on expanding Delhivery’s intracity delivery model, ensuring two-to-four-hour order fulfillment from dark stores. He will also oversee the growth of Delhivery’s same-day and next-day delivery services for consumer brands.

3. Sharma’s Entrepreneurial Journey

3.1 Founding PepperTap and Nuvo Logistics

After leaving Delhivery, Sharma co-founded PepperTap, a hyperlocal grocery delivery service that reached a $200M annual revenue before shutting down. He later launched Nuvo Logistics, which expanded across 75+ cities before being acquired by Shadowfax.

3.2 Leadership at Shadowfax and Other Ventures

Post-acquisition, Sharma led growth and strategy at Shadowfax. He also launched Flyo, a quick commerce platform, and Mabel, a jewelry e-commerce venture.

4. Financial Performance and Market Impact

4.1 Delhivery’s Recent Growth

In Q3FY25, Delhivery reported a 114% increase in net profit, reaching INR 25 crore. The company’s revenue from operations grew 8% YoY to INR 2,378 crore.

4.2 Competitive Landscape

Delhivery competes with Blue Dart, Ecom Express, and XpressBees in India’s fast-growing logistics sector. The rapid commerce market is also attracting investments from Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Blinkit.

5. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs

5.1 The Importance of Leadership in Growth

Sharma’s journey demonstrates how strategic leadership can drive a company’s expansion, making it essential for startups to invest in strong leadership teams.

5.2 Innovation in Logistics

Delhivery’s move towards rapid commerce highlights the growing importance of speed in logistics, signaling opportunities for startups to innovate in last-mile delivery.

5.3 Resilience in Entrepreneurship

Sharma’s experience with PepperTap’s failure and his subsequent ventures illustrate how resilience is key to long-term entrepreneurial success.

6. About The Startups News

For entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to stay updated on India’s fast-evolving startup landscape, The Startups News delivers industry insights, funding updates, and expert analysis. Whether it’s logistics, fintech, or emerging tech, The Startups News is the go-to platform for the latest developments in India’s startup ecosystem.