On-Demand Delivery Updates – Weekly Roundup June 2021 Week 1

Last Updated on September 6, 2021

• JOKR Launches in NYC with a Unique Approach For On Demand Delivery!

June 2nd, 2021

On June 3rd a new startup was launched in New York which has a unique approach towards on demand delivery.

JOKR, founded by Ralf Wenzel (the same guy who founded Foodpanda, which later merged with Delivery Hero), promises delivery in 15 minutes or less, with no order minimums, and a selection of products that you might find in the local deli or convenience store.

JOKR procures the goods sold on the app directly from brands, manufacturers and wholesalers. In other words, you can think of the service as a sort of ghost kitchen for groceries and everyday items.

JOKR has been operating in Latin America (Brazil, Lima and Mexico City) and is now expanding into the U.S. market with its NYC launch.

• DoorDash, UberEats and Instacart Competing with Major E-Commerce Players!

June 4th, 2021

According to a study , Third-party providers of on-demand food delivery — including DoorDash, Instacart and Uber Eats — stand to overtake some of the biggest U.S. retailers in e-commerce sales by 2025.

Instacart’s expansion both inside and outside the grocery arena and Uber Eats’ foray from restaurant delivery into retail grocery as catalysts for their expansion.

DoorDash is expected to account for about a third of U.S. grocery delivery platform sales by 2025, with Uber and Instacart next with about a 20% share a piece!

E-commerce is now growing and evolving rapidly. Consumer behaviors and shopping habits have evolved forever by COVID-19, and we are now living in the future of retail.

Related read – How To Make An App Like DoorDash in 2021

• Gorillas aim at $1 Billion round with $6 Billion Valuation with Secondary Share Sale!

June 4th, 2021

Berlin-based Gorillas is planning a secondary share sale as part of an upcoming blockbuster funding round that could value the company at $6bn and allow founder Kağan Sümer to take home millions in cash.

The company had been in early-stage discussions with Japanese investor Softbank to lead this investment, but the talks have currently stalled, according to sources familiar with the matter. SoftBank has previously invested in US delivery startup GoPuff, which acquired UK delivery company Fancy last month.

Despite this, Gorillas is still hoping to raise significant investment to fund future expansion plans and to have a secondary share sale as part of the deal, according to sources.

While a secondary share sale where founders take some money off the table is not unheard of for a fast-growing startup, it comes against a backdrop of tense relations between management and employees.

Related read – How To Build Dark Grocery Store App Like Gorillas

• DoorDash to Launch New Online Convenience Store in Dayton!

June 3rd, 2021

DoorDash, a popular online food delivery company, plans to bring a new kind of delivery service to Dayton focused on high-demand restaurant and household products.

DoorDash is working to open a DashMart in Dayton in the third quarter of this year, according to a company spokesperson.DashMart is a new kind of online convenience store that delivers household essentials and favorite items from local and chain restaurants.

DashMart locations are delivery-only stores, so customers cannot visit the physical locations to buy items,  DashMart is a new distribution channel for local merchants and national brands to reach customers online, the spokesperson said.DashMart will be available on the DoorDash app within the convenience tab.

Similar kinds of services already operate locally, like GoPuff, which delivers convenience store products to parts of Dayton, Oakwood, Moraine and Kettering.

Interesting read: How does Talabat make money?

• Grocery Delivery App Getir with a Valuation $7.5 Billion aims at US listing within 2 Years!

June 5th, 2021

Grocery-delivery app Getir has been valued at $7.5 billion after raising more than $550 million in funding, its third capital raise of 2021, as it prepares to launch in the US.

Founded in Turkey in 2015, Getir is among the crop of apps promising 10-minute grocery delivery and raising wild amounts of cash.

The firm will use its fresh funding to expand into the US this year, going head-to-head with German rival Gorillas and US-based Gopuff. Elsewhere in Europe, it faces intense competition from local players including Dija, Weezy, and Zapp.

According to sources,  Getir boasts more than 6 million users, 9 million monthly orders, and more than $800 million in gross merchandise value (GMV), on an annualized basis. GMV reflects the total value of goods sold through a platform, but does not account for fees or other costs. The figures did not show Getir’s losses, and CEO Nazim Salur said last month that only parts of the business are profitable.

• On Demand Car Care , Spiffy Expands to South Carolina with New Franchise! 

June 2nd, 2021

Since its founding in 2014, Spiffy has expanded from a small mobile car wash and detail startup in Raleigh, North Carolina to provide a multitude of convenient maintenance services for car owners and fleets across the country. Their unique customer experience revolves around bringing the appointment directly to the customer, complete with the water, power, and equipment needed to complete every service. The company uses less water than a traditional car wash with 100% eco-conscious supplies and reclaims all water, soap, and supplies upon completion.

Spiffy announced the launch of its latest franchise location in South Carolina on June 2nd. The Greenville franchise opened for business on June 1 and offers mobile car wash, detail, and oil change services to the Upstate region.

In addition to opening for business in Greenville, the South Carolina franchise ownership group has plans to expand throughout the state, including Columbia and Charleston, in the weeks and months to come.

• Edtech Startup- Klassroom Edutech raises $200 K in pre-Series A Round!

May 31st, 2021

Klassroom Edutech, a Mumbai-based hybrid (offline to online) tutoring platform, has raised $200,000 as part of its pre-Series A round. The round was led by ah! Ventures with participation of several angel networks like Startup Angels Network, Growth Sense, and Meteor Ventures. 

Started in 2016, Klassroom Edutech has a partner network of 160+ brick and mortar centres across Mumbai and Delhi. The startup launched its online business during the lockdown in 2020.

Over the past 12 months, 10,000+ students across 500 cities, 22 states, and three union territories claim to have spent over a million hours studying on Klassroom’s online platform. Klassroom said it differentiates itself from other edtech players by focusing on solving fundamental problems of the education ecosystem such as affordability, accessibility, accountability, and flexibility.

Klassroom said it is looking to expand the already growing partner network from 160+ centres currently in Mumbai and Delhi to other cities and states once the impact of the pandemic begins to normalise.

Related read – How to Create an Educational App Like Masterclass

• Urban Company raises $255 Million at over $2 Billion Valuation and aims at Global Expansion!

June 2nd, 2021

Home services marketplace Urban Company said it has raised USD 255 million (about ₹1,857 crore) in funding led by Prosus Ventures, Dragoneer and Wellington Management. The series F round – which also saw participation from Vy Capital, Tiger Global and Steadview – takes Urban Company’s valuation to USD 2.1 billion.

Bhal said the funds will be used towards innovation, training, product development, enhanced quality control and safety measures for both partners and consumers.

The company also aims to increase its geographic footprint by entering the top 100 cities in India by 2022 and further expanding into international markets.

Related read – Cost to Build an On-demand Home Services App Like UrbanClap

• Grocery Delivery Startup , HungryRoot Boosts Value to $750 Million!

June 4th, 2021

Hungryroot, a startup offering personalized grocery delivery, completed a funding round that brings its valuation to about $750 million!

The company raised $40 million in Series C financing, Hungryroot said Friday, bringing its total fundraising to $75 million. The latest round was led by L Catterton, a private-equity firm .

Hungryroot uses artificial intelligence and user questionnaires to tailor its delivery services. The company, started in 2015, combines grocery and food delivery by offering ingredients as well as suggesting recipes and providing meal plans.

The company plans to use the new funds to expand from about 300 grocery items available each week to 3,000 over the next three years,Ben McKean,The founder HungryRoot said. It’ll also invest in new technology to improve its algorithms.With the current sales growth trajectory, McKean said the company would consider going public, potentially in the next 18 months.

• Berlin-based Grocery Delivery Startup, Flink Raises $240 Million in Funding!

June 4th, 2021

Grocery-delivery company Flink announced $240m in new funding on Friday in the latest influx of capital into this hot new sector.

Berlin-based Flink said the money will fuel its expansion and comes alongside a strategic partnership with German supermarket operator REWE Group. It didn’t disclose a valuation.

Unlike competitors, Flink’s technology automates the entire supply chain, allowing orders to be tracked efficiently, and provides a forecast for what products should be reordered. It also has an algorithm for rider allocation and route optimization.

They are selling a big vision. Like its competitors, Flink is seeking to totally transform how we buy groceries, edge out the supermarket incumbents and transform the food supply chain all at the same time.

Just about every VC in Europe is paying close attention to the scene at the moment. Creandum, Index, Blossom, Northzone, Cherry, Heartcore and Target Global are amongst the well-known funds which have backed speedy grocery startups.

See also:

On-Demand Delivery Updates – Oyelabs’ Weekly Roundup May 2021