# Instacart: Apoorva Mehta

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-04-10
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=0) Introduction: Apoorva Mehta and Instacart
- [2:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=165) Leaving Amazon and the Entrepreneurial Low Point
- [8:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=494) Failing with a Lawyer Social Network and Losing $1M
- [11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=664) Finding Passion: The Grocery Shopping Problem
- [16:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=981) Building the First Prototype and Manual Operations
- [19:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=1146) Competing with Amazon and Hiring Shoppers
- [23:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=1396) Securing Y Combinator Funding via a Beer Delivery
- [25:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-04-10-instacart-apoorva-mehta#t=1534) Business Model Evolution and Scaling Challenges

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Instacart (product)
- Amazon (company)
- Y Combinator (company)
- Webvan (company)
- Safeway (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Peapod (company)
- Fresh Direct (company)
- LinkedIn (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Electronic Arts (company)
- Craigslist (company)
- Swipe and Feed (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Garrett McCurrach and Canon Reeves (Co-Founders, Pipedream Labs)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-12-17-garrett-mccurrach-and-canon-reeves-co-founders-pipedream-labs) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [#226 - Hungryroot 101: Launch Your Brand & Master Smart Cart Shopping](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-12-09-226-hungryroot-101-launch-your-brand-master-smart-cart-shopping) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Dip Into Paradise with Founder Emily Edwards](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-03-01-dip-into-paradise-with-founder-emily-edwards) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature:  Elan Halpern & Kiki Couchman of Sourmilk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-07-founder-feature-elan-halpern-kiki-couchman-of-sourmilk) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Bar Bruhis of Boostcous](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-07-24-founder-feature-bar-bruhis-of-boostcous) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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