Deepinder Goyal — the founder and CEO of Zomato — is a defining force in India’s startup ecosystem. From humble beginnings in Punjab to steering one of India’s most valuable food-tech companies, his journey stands as a beacon of innovation, perseverance, and vision.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 26, 1983, in Muktsar, Punjab, Deepinder grew up in a middle-class household where education and hard work were deeply valued. His father was a teacher, and his early exposure to discipline and curiosity shaped his entrepreneurial mind.
After completing his schooling at DAV College, Chandigarh, he pursued a B.Tech in Mathematics and Computing at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. It was here that Deepinder’s love for technology and problem-solving flourished — qualities that would later become the foundation for his entrepreneurial success.
Early Career and Inspiration for Zomato
Following graduation, Goyal joined the global consulting firm Bain & Company in New Delhi as a Senior Associate Consultant. It was while working there that he encountered a recurring problem: colleagues frequently waited for restaurant menus or lunch options. To solve this, he built an internal tool for uploading and sharing menu PDFs — the spark that ignited Zomato’s creation.
In 2008, he and his colleague Pankaj Chaddah transformed that idea into a public website called FoodieBay.com — an online platform where users could search restaurant menus and reviews. The idea quickly gained traction, and by 2010, it was rebranded as Zomato to make it more globally appealing.
Founding and Growth of Zomato
Zomato started as a simple restaurant discovery website, but Deepinder’s vision pushed it beyond its early scope. Under his leadership, Zomato raised its first funding of $1 million from Info Edge India Ltd., led by internet pioneer Sanjeev Bikhchandani.
From 2012 onward, Zomato expanded internationally to countries such as the UAE, UK, South Africa, and Canada, becoming one of the first Indian startups to have a truly global footprint. By fusing technology with human insight, Goyal built a platform that not only helped people find food but also supported small restaurants and digitized their operations.
Zomato’s major acquisitions — Uber Eats India (2020) and Blinkit (2022) — further established the company as a comprehensive food and quick-commerce ecosystem. Zomato’s other initiatives, like Feeding India and Hyperpure, showcased Goyal’s commitment to social impact and supply chain revolution.
The IPO and Rise to Prominence
Zomato made history with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in July 2021, becoming one of the first Indian consumer tech startups to go public. The IPO was oversubscribed more than 38 times and marked a turning point in India’s digital economy. The listing propelled Deepinder into the ranks of India’s startup billionaires and confirmed Zomato as a global player in the food-tech industry.
The post-IPO years saw Zomato expanding into logistics, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven customer experience tools, reaffirming Goyal’s long-term view of building resilient, data-driven enterprises.
Leadership Style and Vision
Deepinder Goyal is admired for his bold, analytical, and people-first leadership. Colleagues describe him as detail-oriented and incredibly driven — often the first to arrive and the last to leave office. His leadership style centers on constant iteration and innovation, encouraging a culture of curiosity and accountability.
Goyal envisions Zomato as an integral part of people’s daily lives — “not just a food delivery app but a lifestyle platform that connects people with better food and better living.” This customer-centric philosophy has enabled Zomato to remain at the forefront of India’s highly competitive startup ecosystem.
Other Ventures and Investments
In recent years, Deepinder has expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio. He co-founded LAT Aerospace in 2025, a drone and aviation startup focusing on next-generation delivery logistics and aerospace solutions.
He is also an active angel investor in startups such as Bira 91, HyperTrack, and Terra.do, backing ventures that focus on sustainability and technological innovation.
Net Worth and Achievements
As of 2025, Deepinder Goyal’s net worth is estimated between ₹9,960 crore and ₹15,300 crore ($1.1 – $1.8 billion), driven largely by his stake in Zomato and other venture holdings.
Notable Achievements:
- Co-founder & CEO, Zomato
- Chairman, Blinkit
- Founder, LAT Aerospace
- Featured in Forbes India’s Top 100 Richest Entrepreneurs (2025)
- Recognized by Economic Times Startup Awards
Deepinder Goyal’s Personal Life: Divorce and New Relationship
While Deepinder Goyal is celebrated for building one of India’s most influential startups, his personal life has also drawn public curiosity. The Zomato CEO’s journey includes a chapter of separation and a new beginning that captured media attention in 2024.
Marriage and Divorce with Kanchan Joshi
Deepinder Goyal was previously married to Kanchan Joshi, whom he met during his time at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Both studied in the Mathematics and Computing department, and Goyal often shared that he pursued Kanchan persistently for six months before she agreed to date him. They eventually married after college and have a daughter named Siara.
Kanchan Joshi is an accomplished academic personality. She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from IIT Delhi and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Delhi University.
Although the couple kept their personal life very private, reports confirmed that they separated amicably a few years before 2024. Neither party publicly discussed the reasons behind their split, focusing instead on their respective careers and family responsibilities.
Marriage to Mexican Model Grecia Munoz
After his separation, Deepinder Goyal’s relationship with Grecia Munoz, a Mexican model and entrepreneur, gained public attention. Grecia is a former TV host, the winner of Metropolitan Fashion Week 2022, and currently runs a luxury lifestyle startup based in India.
The two were first spotted together at public events in New Delhi, and after months of speculation, they married in February 2024 in a private ceremony. Reports indicate that the couple later traveled to France for their honeymoon before returning to India.
Grecia has since moved to India, where she has become actively involved in social causes, including women’s empowerment and child nutrition programs. On social media, she updated her bio to read “Born in Mexico, now at home in India”, confirming her relocation and new life with Deepinder.
In a 2024 episode of The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, Deepinder shared his love story with Grecia, explaining that they were introduced by a mutual friend in Delhi. Amusingly, he revealed that his friend predicted they would marry—and that turned out to be true. Deepinder also joked that some of Zomato’s creative app notifications are “inspired by his romantic messages” to Grecia.
Public Appearances and Shared Endeavors
The couple, now often referred to as Deepinder and Gia Goyal, continues to make headlines. In late 2024, they participated in a viral social experiment where they dressed as Zomato delivery agents to understand the challenges faced by delivery staff firsthand.
Grecia’s growing visibility in India’s entrepreneurial and fashion circuits, combined with Deepinder’s grounded public image, has made them one of the most talked-about power couples in the Indian startup ecosystem.
Summary
- First Wife: Dr. Kanchan Joshi (Professor at Delhi University)
- Daughter: Siara Goyal
- Current Wife: Grecia Munoz (also known as Gia Goyal), former Mexican model and businesswoman
- Marriage Date: February 2024
- Residence: Gurgaon, India
Deepinder Goyal’s personal evolution reflects a balance between professional ambition and personal renewal. Despite public speculation, both his marriages showcase mutual respect and privacy — underscoring his ability to navigate fame with dignity and emotional intelligence.
Legacy and Inspiration
Deepinder Goyal’s journey from a small-town boy in Punjab to one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs embodies the essence of modern India — bold, visionary, and resilient. His creation, Zomato, reshaped how millions experience food, hospitality, and convenience daily.
What makes his story particularly inspiring is not just his business success but his mindset — an unshakeable belief that large problems can be solved through innovation, empathy, and persistence.
Deepinder Goyal’s story is one of vision, resolve, and reinvention. In redefining India’s food-tech landscape, he not only built an empire but also inspired an entire generation of entrepreneurs to dream audaciously and execute relentlessly.
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