Meesho Startup Journey: From Idea to Billion-Dollar Company

Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, two IIT Delhi graduates, dreamed of starting something of their own. They left their jobs and returned to India to build a business. They first launched Fashnear, an app to help people buy fashion items from nearby shops.

From Fashnear to Meesho

Fashnear faced challenges. Customers didn’t prefer buying only from local shops. Sellers also wanted to reach buyers outside their locality. In 2015, Fashnear became Meesho — short for “Meri Shop.”

Meesho’s Unique Idea

Sell products via social apps like WhatsApp and Facebook. It focused on low-cost fashion, lifestyle, and unbranded goods.

Meesho’s Growth & Funding

Meesho joined Y Combinator in 2016 and got its first funding. Facebook invested $25 million in 2019 In 2021, it became a unicorn by raising $300 million

Impact & Future

Meesho empowers women and small entrepreneurs across India. Its app is simple and available in many languages. In 2025, Meesho plans to go public and invest more in AI and logistics.