DoorDash in advanced talks to acquire Instacart for about $17bn

DoorDash is in advanced negotiations to buy grocery‑delivery platform Instacart in a deal that could value the company at roughly $17 billion, sources told news outlets.

The potential transaction may be finalised as early as 28 October, according to reports. Instacart’s shares rose almost 8 percent at market close on 26 October, lifting its valuation to $14.4 billion, while DoorDash’s shares fell more than 6 percent, leaving the firm valued at just under $73 billion.

Instacart, which has seen its share price climb over 50 percent in the past year, reported quarterly revenue of more than $1 billion, a 14 percent year‑on‑year increase. In July it acquired Israeli AI start‑up Arpalus, which provides real‑time visibility of supermarket shelves, a move its chairperson and CEO Chris Rogers said would boost fulfilment efficiency and AI‑driven shopping experiences.

Earlier reports indicated that Uber was also in talks to acquire Instacart, but that deal has collapsed. The acquisition would extend DoorDash’s expansion from food delivery into groceries and broader retail, following its entry into Ireland after purchasing UK rival Deliveroo for £2.9 billion and its earlier European foray with the Finnish start‑up Wolt.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Th2city Santana / Pexels.