Instacart explores sale to delivery rivals in deal that could reach $17B
Instacart has reportedly engaged an investment bank and held early talks with Uber and DoorDash about a possible acquisition. The grocery-delivery firm is currently valued around $12 billion, while a takeover premium could push a deal to $16–17 billion. No agreement is assured, and the discussions are still preliminary.
Instacart began in 2012 with Apoorva Mehta, Brandon Leonardo and Max Mullen and gained broad recognition during the pandemic. It has operated independently for 14 years and now reportedly enlisted an investment bank while holding early talks with Uber and DoorDash.
The reported valuation is about $12 billion; a 30%–40% takeover premium could imply $16–17 billion, though no offer is confirmed. DoorDash previously considered a deal in 2021, when Instacart was estimated at $40–50 billion; regulatory concerns helped end those talks. After the report, Instacart shares rose roughly 9%, while Uber and DoorDash declined.
A combination could reshape online grocery competition, potentially giving buyers more bargaining power with retailers and affecting choices for consumers. Grocery workers and gig couriers may see changes in scheduling, pay, or platform policies as systems merge. Smaller retailers and delivery startups could face stronger competitive pressure. Regulators may scrutinize the deal’s effect on prices and market access, so any societal impact remains uncertain.