Instant on-demand delivery service Gorillas has delivered sixteen million orders in the 24 months across 9 countries since launching.
The company, founded and led by Kagan Sümer, is now taking a look at some of its biggest milestones so far.
Since its founding in Berlin in May 2020, the startup has grown rapidly, expanding to more than 60 cities - including Amsterdam, London, Paris, Madrid, New York, Milan and Munich - and establishing more than 230 micro-fulfillment centers in nine countries.
After just nine months, the start-up achieved Unicorn status, faster than any other German company before. This also makes Gorillas one of the fastest growing start-ups in Europe.
Gorillas has become a community, employing more than 15,000 people worldwide from more than 160 nationalities. In the process, Gorillas' latest funding round catapulted the Berlin-based startup into the top 5 largest deals in Europe, according to a recent EY study. In total Gorillas received funding of $1.1bn.
After a period of strong growth, the delivery brand is now pushing a clear strategy for its profitability. With the acquisition of the French company Frichti in March of this year, the young company strengthens its technological infrastructure and also gains an excellent operational network based on Frichti's many years of experience and expertise.
Gorillas bets on strong partnerships
In the last two years, Gorillas has been able to announce several groundbreaking partnerships with traditional food retailers. For example, the company is working with major supermarket chains such as Tesco in England, Casino Group in France, and Jumbo in the Netherlands and in Belgium, to give them access to the Q-Commerce industry and strengthen its own position in the markets.
Furthermore, with the start of the 2022 Tour de France, Gorillas will become a sponsor of the Jumbo-Visma team and the Gorillas logo will be featured on the jerseys of the top cyclists.
In addition, Gorillas sealed a multi-year premium sponsorship partnership with Paris Saint-Germain soccer club at the end of last year. Together, their goal is to provide the best possible experience for their fans and communities around the world.
Through this first global sponsorship in the sports sector, Gorillas strengthens its presence in Europe and aims to benefit from the millions of Paris Saint-Germain fans on the leading platforms.
Sustainability - more than a strategy
Since its funding, Gorillas has placed a strong emphasis on sustainable initiatives, supporting more than 100 local and regional businesses, as well as long-term collaborations with companies that share the same (sustainability) goals, such as Vytal in Germany, Groundcycle in the US and Too Good To Go on a global scale.
With the latter, the global collaboration has so far distributed more than 260,000 food packages and saved over 660 tons of CO2. To combat food waste, the company has also been offering its own 'SOStainable Bags' since April of this year. By ordering the bags, customers receive food at a reduced price that is close to its best-before date but is still safe to eat. The contents of the bags vary from day to day.
Gorillas is also the first climate-neutral player in the Q-Commerce market. Through a fully comprehensive analysis and assessment of all emissions in collaboration with climate tech company Planetly, the company has managed to offset all emissions under direct control (in Scope 1, 2 and 3.3) since its inception in May 2020.
In line with Gorillas' ESG strategy, the company aims to use 100 percent renewable energy no later than spring 2023 and is pursuing a goal of zero edible food waste by mid-2023.
Gorillas creates a unique work culture and atmosphere
Above all, Gorillas cares about providing its riders with the best possible equipment. In the last two years, there has been a strong investment in the renewal of rider kits and (driving) safety.
The riders are equipped with the latest generation e-bikes from the Berlin-based e-bike specialis Get Henry. These were purchased based on feedback from Gorillas riders and are specifically tailored to the requirements of the delivery service's riders. They are more robust, more comfortable and more durable than previous models. Through this cooperation with Get Henry, the bikes are regularly checked and maintained.
In addition, all riders received a complete equipment kit for the winter, including jackets, gloves, safety glasses and neck warmers. Furthermore, all riders at Gorillas receive tax-free tips (digital and cash). The entire crew earned a total of more than 5 million euros via in-app tips worldwide in 2021.
Further training options also play a significant role for the on-demand delivery service. Over 400 employees have already been promoted internally.
Earlier this year, Gorillas also launched its own record label, Pedal Records, to give talented and creative employees the opportunity to develop and live out their passions. Together with the Berlin-based record label MNF, the company now offers its employees support in the release process and professional advice on entering the music industry. Over seventy artists from within the Gorillas workforce have been signed already.
Kagan Sümer, CEO and founder, commented,“The last two years were a time of immense learning, development and change: from groundbreaking partnerships, employee-focused creative initiatives and collaborations, to setting unprecedented sustainability standards for the Q-Commerce industry.
'We are now entering our third year of pioneering and shaping the on-demand delivery scene, as well as creating generational impact beyond our industry. I am excited to see what the next few years will hold in store for us.'
