Instacart founder Apoorva Mehta attributes billionaire status to empty refrigerator
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Apoorva Mehta, the founder of Instacart, America's largest grocery delivery company, recently shared the humble beginnings of his journey to becoming a billionaire.
In a LinkedIn post, the 37-year-old entrepreneur revealed that the inspiration behind launching his online delivery startup over a decade ago stemmed from his empty refrigerator, which he referred to as an "ongoing problem" and an unexpected source of inspiration.
Mehta reminisced about a moment more than a decade ago when he found himself in his San Francisco apartment with a nearly bare refrigerator, containing only hot sauce. While he expressed his love for hot sauce, he acknowledged that it couldn't exactly constitute a meal. This situation became a turning point for him in 2012 when he recognised the gap in the market – the inability to shop for groceries online. It was this lightbulb moment that propelled him to start coding the first version of the Instacart App.
The Instacart founder also expressed his gratitude to the many individuals who supported him along the way, from his dedicated team that contributed to Instacart's growth to the loyal customers who rely on the platform for their grocery needs. He extended his appreciation to Instacart's retail and consumer packaged goods partners and praised CEO Fidji Simo for her role in the company's journey.
In his LinkedIn post, Mehta also touched on the sacrifices made by his parents, emphasising their journey from India to Libya and ultimately to Canada. Their sacrifices enabled him and his brother to pursue their aspirations and, in Mehta's case, to create and build Instacart.
While recognising the significance of this milestone, Mehta also highlighted that the work of Instacart was just beginning, expressing excitement about the company's continued transformation of the grocery industry.
Since sharing his post, Mehta has received numerous reactions from social media users who admire his entrepreneurial journey and the impact of Instacart.
One user praised him for being an inspiring figure for immigrants and immigrant children, thanking him for his remarkable service. Another user expressed gratitude for Instacart's contribution to transforming the grocery industry. A third user reminisced about witnessing the early stages of the app at one of Mehta's gatherings, while others congratulated him on his achievement and encouraged him to take some well-deserved relaxation time.
