Hardware Podcasts

Instacart: Apoorva Mehta

How I Built This · 10 Apr 2017 · 39m

What this episode covers

Apoorva Mehta, founder of Instacart, recounts his journey from a disillusioned Amazon engineer to building a $3 billion grocery delivery platform. After failing with a previous startup and losing $1 million in investor capital, he pivoted to solving his own hatred of grocery shopping by creating an app that connects customers with personal shoppers. Mehta details the early operational challenges, including hiring shoppers via Craigslist, managing inventory substitutions, and securing Y Combinator funding by sending a 6-pack of beer to a partner.

Most relevant to

founders before launch and early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Amazon, Y Combinator, Webvan, Safeway, Whole Foods, Peapod, Fresh Direct, U.S. Bank, Electronic Arts, Craigslist
Products
Instacart, LinkedIn, Swipe and Feed

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