Glovo Startup Story: How This On-Demand Delivery App Became a Global Super App
Introduction
In today’s fast-moving world, people want everything delivered instantly — food, groceries, medicines, and even documents. One startup that understood this need very early is Glovo.
Glovo is now one of the most popular on-demand delivery platforms in many countries.
What is Glovo?
Glovo is a multi-category on-demand delivery app that allows users to order:
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Food from restaurants
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Groceries from stores
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Medicines
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Parcels and documents
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And almost “anything” from nearby shops
Who Founded Glovo?
Glovo was founded by Oscar Pierre and Sacha Michaud in Spain.
Their vision was simple:
“Anything you need, delivered in minutes.”
How Did Glovo Start?
Glovo started as a local delivery app focused on quick deliveries within cities. Instead of limiting itself to food delivery only, Glovo positioned itself as a ‘deliver anything’ platform.
This strategy helped Glovo grow faster than many single-category apps.
The Growth Strategy of Glovo
✅ 1. Multi-Category Marketplace
Unlike normal food delivery apps, Glovo focused on:
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Restaurants
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Supermarkets
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Pharmacies
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Local shops
✅ 2. Fast Local Logistics
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Uses local couriers (riders)
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Focuses on short-distance deliveries
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Optimizes routes using technology
✅ 3. Strong App Experience
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Simple interface
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Live tracking
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Easy payments
Business Model of Glovo
Glovo makes money from:
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Commission from restaurants & stores
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Delivery fees from users
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Promotional partnerships
Why Did Glovo Become So Popular?
✔️ Very fast delivery
✔️ Multiple categories in one app
✔️ Easy to use
✔️ Strong presence in European and emerging markets
Challenges Faced by Glovo
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Competition from Uber Eats, DoorDash, Deliveroo
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Rider cost and profitability issues
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Regulatory challenges in some countries
My Honest Opinion
Glovo is a smart logistics + marketplace startup that solved a real daily-life problem.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
✅ Solve local problems
✅ Build flexible platforms
✅ Focus on speed and convenience
✅ Scale city by city
Final Verdict
Glovo is a perfect example of how a simple delivery idea can become a global super app.
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