Startups

5 Gopuffable items that symbolize Gopuff’s rapid growth and recent acquisitions

The on-demand delivery company is expanding across the country, and internationally, with four acquisitions and one major partnership in the past seven months. Here's a roundup — and some ideas for in-app purchases to mark each one.

Gopuff delivery service, featuring the former stylization of the company's name. (Courtesy Gopuff)
Another week, another Gopuff growth announcement.

The on-demand delivery company founded by former Drexel University students has made big moves in the past few years.

That includes becoming an official unicorn, reportedly many times over. As Technical.ly wrote in March, when Gopuff dropped the news of its latest investment — $1.15 billion — it seemed at the same time astounding and yet not. It’s just sort of what we’ve come to expect from the locally based, internationally focused company. That news came only months after it raised $380 million to expand its product offering and about 14 months after we learned of its $750 million investment from SoftBank’s $100 billion Vision Fund. But a billion-dollar investment — boosting its valuation to $8.9 billion — was still a shock to a system, especially far outside traditional tech hubs.

Since then, the money moves haven’t stopped. Here’s a look at the most recent news in reverse chronological order, told through five items you can get driven right to your house via Gopuff (unless, like this editor, you live within city limits but just outside its delivery zone):

BevMo! acquisition — Cacti Agave Spiked Seltzer

In November, the company acquired BevMo!, a California-based alcohol retailer that offers in-store purchase, delivery and shipment, shoring up its footprint on the West Coast.

  • A nine-pack of Cacti seltzer, clocking in at 7% ABV, includes pineapple, lime and strawberry flavors. And it’s brewed in Los Angeles!

(Screenshot)

Uber partnership — Mask pack

Gopuff announced in May that it was partnering with the rideshare giant to bring “new everyday essentials experience” to customers via Uber Eats. Uber users will have access to Gopuff’s products through its own app, starting with about 95 cities in June.

  • Technically we’re done with mandatory mask-wearing in the city of Philadelphia. But you might feel more comfortable riding in a stranger’s car if you have one on (pandemic or not).

(Screenshot)

Fancy acquisition — Fancy Feast

More acquisition news came in early May with the announcement of Gopuff’s first foray into the international market: The United Kingdom-based Fancy is a last-mile delivery platform that gets products to local consumers in half an hour. Essentially, the Gopuff of the U.K. Financial details were not disclosed, but look out for further global expansion, the company said.

  • If you don’t have a pet that would eat this gross-smelling wet food, please go for Brisk iced tea or something instead. (British, tea, you get it.)

(Screenshot)

rideOS acquisition — Portable Juul charger

Just last week, Gopuff said it acquired enterprise software company rideOS for $115 million. The startup builds proprietary logistics technology for “advanced routing, on-demand dispatch and fleet optimization” — so, what Gopuff does. Founded by Uber mobility team alumni, rideOS is based in San Francisco, with offices in Pittsburgh and Berlin. This is Gopuff’s first tech team-focused acquisition.

  • A nod to Gopuff’s smoky beginnings: Charge your Juul while you ride!

(Screenshot)

Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey — Liquor Barn acquisition

This Monday, Gopuff announced it was acquiring the Kentucky-based alcohol sales chain, including its 23 storefronts, for an undisclosed sum. The Philly company said the deal will allow it to bring Kentucky bourbon distributors’ products nationwide.

  • Currently, this candy-flavored drink is the only liquor available to order on Gopuff’s platform, at least to Center City Philadelphia on a Tuesday morning. (I’m, uh, not advocating that you do so.) But hey, maybe more options are on the way following this grab.

(Screenshot)

Update: The company's name has changed from goPuff to Gopuff. Stylization has been updated throughout. (6/23/21, 8:16 a.m.)
Companies: Gopuff / Uber

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