Born during a pandemic, dead during a rate hike cycle. Gorillas became Europe's fastest unicorn by promising 10-minute groceries, raised $1.3 billion, and then discovered that delivering $15 grocery orders on a bicycle in 10 minutes doesn't actually make money. Got acquired by Getir, which then collapsed itself. The entire European quick commerce wave — Gorillas, Getir, Flink, Zapp — burned through billions proving that venture-subsidized convenience isn't a business model. It's a temporary subsidy.
Founded
2020
HQ
Berlin, Germany
Total Raised
$1.3B
Founder
Kagan Sümer, Jörg Kattner
Status
Acquired by Getir in 2022 for approximately $1.2 billion — but Getir itself collapsed in 2024, making the acquisition value essentially zero
Website
www.gorillas.ioTHE ORIGIN STORY
Kagan Sümer, a former corporate consultant, launched Gorillas in May 2020 — right as COVID lockdowns made grocery delivery essential. The timing was extraordinary: a pandemic, locked-down Europeans desperate for deliveries, and venture capital looking to deploy billions.
Gorillas went from zero to $1 billion valuation in nine months — the fastest European startup to reach unicorn status. At its peak, Gorillas operated in 9 countries and 60+ cities across Europe.
WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO
10-minute grocery delivery using dark stores — the European version of what Blinkit does in India. Gorillas operated small warehouses in dense urban areas and promised delivery in under 10 minutes for a flat fee.
Revenue came from delivery fees, product margins, and advertising. The model required extreme density: one dark store per neighborhood, thousands of riders, and constant inventory management.
THE PRODUCTS
Gorillas offered 10-minute grocery delivery from dark stores, a curated selection of 2,000+ products, flat delivery fees, and a subscription program for free delivery. The app featured real-time rider tracking and a minimalist interface designed for speed.
HOW THEY GREW
Gorillas tried to achieve profitability through higher order minimums, delivery fees, and operational efficiency. But the math never worked — customer acquisition costs were high, retention was low (consumers switched between Gorillas, Flink, and Getir based on who had the best promotion), and the dark store model required density that most European cities couldn't support outside of a few core neighborhoods.
THE HARD PART
The business model never made economic sense. Each delivery cost more than the margin on the groceries being delivered.
The only way to survive was to raise more venture capital — which dried up in 2022 when interest rates rose and investors demanded profitability. The dark store model required enormous upfront investment (real estate, inventory, staff) in every new city.
Rider labor conditions became a political flashpoint in Germany, with Gorillas riders striking for better pay.
MONEY TRAIL
Series A
2020 · Led by Coatue Management
$44M raised
Series C
2021 · Led by Delivery Hero, Tencent, Coatue
$1.0B raised
Acquisition
2022 · Led by Acquired by Getir (which later collapsed)
$1.2B raised
WHO BACKED THEM
Delivery Hero (acquirer), Coatue Management, DST Global, Tencent, and Dragoneer Investment Group backed Gorillas in its rapid ascent.
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