Snapdeal Pvt is considering an initial public offering (IPO) that could raise about $ 400 million, joining a growing list of startups preparing to tap capital markets as the nation’s digital economy booms. The company, which counts SoftBank Group Corp among its investors, is speaking with advisers about a potential listing in Mumbai that could value it at as much as $2.5 billion, the people said.

An IPO could occur as soon as next year, they said, asking not to be identified because the details aren’t public. Discussions are still early, and the firm could decide not to proceed with the plan, the people said. Representatives for Snapdeal and SoftBank declined to comment.

• Cupid Hits Fresh 52-Week High on Rs 128 Crore Block Deal
• Ather Energy Slips Despite $200 Million Fundraise Buzz
• Shyam Metalics Slips Even as Q1 Volumes Surge
• Unihealth Hospitals Shares Hit 5% Upper Circuit on Plans to Raise Stake 
• Oswal Pumps, Shakti Pumps Rally on Solar Order Wins

Snapdeal, based in the New Delhi suburb of Gurgaon, was once one of the country’s top three e-commerce firms along with Flipkart Online Services Pvt. and the Indian unit of Amazon.com Inc. Founded in 2010, it offers more than 60 million products across 800 categories on its platform and delivers to more than 6,000 cities and towns across the country, according to its website.

Four years ago, Snapdeal walked away from a potential merger with Flipkart, which would have united the two local-e-commerce companies against Amazon. Since then, Flipkart sold a controlling stake to Walmart Inc. and is now progressing towards its own IPO.