New Delhi: Zepto Nova has been launched as a food safety innovation challenge aimed at encouraging startups and innovators to develop AI-powered and automation-driven technologies that strengthen food safety across India’s rapidly expanding quick commerce ecosystem.
Organised by Zepto in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the initiative seeks solutions that minimise human error, improve monitoring, and create intelligent supply chains that ensure products reaching customers remain safe, fresh, and compliant.
As India’s quick commerce ecosystem continues to scale at an unprecedented pace, food safety has become a mission-critical priority rather than merely a compliance requirement.
From inbound inventory checks to storage and dispatch, even small mistakes in expiry date validation or product handling can pose significant risks to both consumers and businesses.
Through Zepto Nova, the organisers are inviting technology innovators to reimagine food safety practices in mother hubs and delivery hubs using artificial intelligence, automation, computer vision, IoT, and smart warehousing technologies.
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Focus on AI, Automation and Eliminating Human Error
The central theme of Zepto Nova is “Smart Food Safety: AI, Automation & No Human Error.” The challenge encourages participants to develop solutions that can reduce manual intervention while enhancing real-time monitoring and operational efficiency.
One of the primary problem statements focuses on AI-powered expiry detection and validation. Participants are expected to design technologies that eliminate human error during inwarding and inventory management by improving expiry date validation and preventing incorrect manual data entry.
The proposed solutions may leverage AI, computer vision, IoT, automation, or smart warehousing systems to establish a fail-proof food safety ecosystem across dark stores and mother hubs.
Intelligent Monitoring Systems for Food Safety
Another major area under Zepto Nova involves the development of intelligent food safety monitoring systems. The challenge calls for AI-enabled surveillance to monitor hygiene practices and product handling while using sensors and IoT technologies to track temperature, humidity, and contamination risks.
Participants are also encouraged to create systems capable of identifying trends, predicting potential food safety failures, enabling preventive interventions, and generating automated alerts and escalation mechanisms to reduce operational risks.
Automation for Fresh Produce and Perishable Quality Control
The Zepto Nova challenge also seeks innovative approaches for automating quality assessment of fresh produce and perishables, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, and similar products.
Key focus areas include:
- AI and computer vision-based quality grading and defect detection.
- Detection of spoilage, physical damage, discoloration, cracks, or contamination.
- Identification of factors affecting freshness and remaining shelf life, including temperature abuse, storage conditions, and handling practices across the supply chain.
- Shelf-life prediction and freshness monitoring.
- Automated sorting and rejection systems.
- Standardisation of quality checks across multiple facilities.
Beyond these themes, Zepto is also open to scalable and technology-driven innovations that improve food safety, compliance, traceability, and operational excellence throughout the quick commerce ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
The Zepto Nova challenge is open to:
- Startups registered with DPIIT or currently undergoing registration.
- Early-stage companies, technology innovators, and MSMEs offering scalable solutions.
- Academic and research institutions with deployable prototypes.
The initiative welcomes participants from sectors including AI, augmented and virtual reality, food and beverages, technology hardware, Internet of Things, IT services, logistics, transportation and storage, robotics, safety technologies, professional services, social networks, and other relevant industries.
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Zepto Nova Challenge: Prize Money and Startup Support
The challenge offers both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for successful participants.
Fiscal Incentives
- First Prize: ₹3 lakh
- Second Prize: ₹2 lakh
- Third Prize: ₹1 lakh
Non-Fiscal Incentives
Potential startups may receive training support from Zepto. Solutions demonstrating product-market fit could gain access to Zepto’s dark stores and mother hubs for testing. If pilot projects prove successful and align with business requirements, Zepto may onboard developers as vendors following the pilot programme.
Application and Evaluation Process
The Zepto Nova application process consists of three stages.
Step 1: Initial Submission
Applicants must register and create an account using their email or phone number, complete the application with company details, business model, market potential, and growth plans, and submit supporting documentation.
Step 2: Shortlisting
Applications will be evaluated by Zepto based on:
- Accuracy and reliability in reducing human error.
- Innovation and practical applicability.
- Scalability across India’s quick commerce ecosystem.
- Ease of integration with existing warehouse systems.
- Impact on food safety compliance and risk reduction.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their solutions during Demo Day.
Step 3: Demo Day and Result Announcement
Selected startups will present their solutions at Zepto’s office and receive access to delivery hubs and mother hubs to test their technologies before final evaluation.
Host Organisation
The challenge is hosted by Zepto Limited. The point of contact is Anand Rajagopal, Consultant, and queries can be directed to zeptonova@zepto.com.
