In the world of grocery delivery, Apoorva Mehta is a name that needs no introduction. As the founder and CEO of Instacart, Mehta has revolutionized the grocery industry by providing customers with a convenient way to shop for groceries from the comfort of their own homes. His innovative approach has earned him widespread recognition, including a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2015. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the life and career of Apoorva Mehta and how he has turned Instacart into a powerhouse in the grocery delivery industry.
Early Life and Education
Apoorva Mehta was born in India in 1984 and grew up in Canada. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in electrical engineering in 2008. Mehta’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from an early age. In an interview with Forbes, he recalls selling candy to his classmates in elementary school and running his own eBay business in high school.
Career Trajectory
After graduation, Mehta worked at BlackBerry as a supply chain engineer. However, he soon became restless and began thinking about starting his own company. In 2012, he left BlackBerry and founded Instacart, a same-day grocery delivery service that allows customers to order groceries online and have them delivered to their doorstep.
Mehta’s vision for Instacart was simple: to provide customers with a convenient way to shop for groceries without ever having to leave their homes. His idea was an instant success, and Instacart quickly became one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States.
Under Mehta’s leadership, Instacart has continued to grow and expand its offerings. Today, the company partners with more than 600 retailers, including major chains like Costco, Target, and Kroger, and offers same-day delivery in more than 5,500 cities across North America. In 2020, Instacart’s revenue reportedly exceeded $10 billion.
Mehta’s Leadership Style
One of the keys to Mehta’s success has been his leadership style. He is known for his ability to motivate and inspire his employees, and he places a strong emphasis on building a positive company culture. In an interview with Forbes, Mehta explained that he believes in hiring people who share his vision for Instacart and giving them the freedom to innovate and take risks.
Mehta’s leadership style has earned him widespread recognition. In addition to being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, he has been recognized as one of the top CEOs in the tech industry by Glassdoor, and Instacart has been named one of the most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company.
Future Plans for Instacart
As Instacart continues to grow and expand its offerings, Mehta has big plans for the future. In an interview with CNBC, he revealed that he sees Instacart becoming “the operating system for grocery” and envisions a future where customers can order anything they want, from groceries to household goods to clothing, and have it delivered to their doorstep within hours.
Mehta’s vision for Instacart is ambitious, but given the company’s track record of success, it’s clear that he has the skills and drive to make it a reality. As Instacart continues to disrupt the grocery industry, Apoorva Mehta will undoubtedly continue to be a force to be reckoned with.
