Full Breakdown
DoorDash in Advanced Talks to Acquire Instacart in Potential $17 B Deal
By Drooid · · How we work
Deal Overview
DoorDash Inc. is in advanced negotiations to purchase Instacart’s parent company, Maplebear Inc., in a transaction that could value the grocery-delivery platform at roughly $17 billion. Sources say an announcement could come as early as this week, but the talks remain non-binding and may collapse before any agreement is reached.
Background & Context
Instacart has been exploring a sale since at least 2021, when earlier talks with DoorDash fell apart over regulatory concerns. More recent discussions also involved Uber Technologies Inc., but those talks have reportedly ended. The intensifying competition in grocery delivery—driven by Walmart, Amazon and expanding retailer-owned services—has prompted major food-delivery firms to broaden beyond restaurant orders. DoorDash has pursued this strategy through prior acquisitions, including the U.K.-based Deliveroo (? $3.9 billion) in 2024, Finland’s Wolt (? $8.1 billion) in 2022, and restaurant-technology company SevenRooms in 2025.
Data & Statistics
- Market valuations: DoorDash’s market capitalization is reported between $73 billion and $78 billion. Instacart’s market value is cited at $13 billion, $13.1 billion, and $14.1 billion across sources.
- Share-price reaction: Instacart’s stock rose between 5 % and 9 % after the news, while DoorDash’s shares fell between 5.5 % and 6 %.
- Deal premium: Analysts estimate the transaction would represent a 27 %–30 % premium to Instacart’s pre-rumor share price.
- Revenue (2024-2025): Reported 2024 revenue is $3.38 billion for Instacart and $10.72 billion for DoorDash; projected 2025 revenue is $3.74 billion and $13.72 billion respectively.
Official Statements & Responses
Instacart declined to comment when approached for comment. DoorDash and Uber also did not immediately respond to requests for statements. The Wall Street Journal was the first outlet to break the story, with subsequent confirmation from Reuters and Bloomberg.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Valuation figures: Sources differ on Instacart’s market cap, reporting $13 billion, $13.1 billion, and $14.1 billion.
- Share-price moves: Reported Instacart gains range from 5 % to 9 %, while DoorDash declines range from 5.5 % to 6 %.
- Deal timeline: All sources agree an announcement could occur “as early as this week,” but no specific date is confirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Strategically, DoorDash looks like the more natural fit for Instacart, given the complementary strengths of its restaurant delivery network and Instacart’s grocery expertise,” — Nick Smith, co-founder of growth strategy consultancy Manifesto Growth Architects
- “We believe our strengths in software, data and AI give us a greater opportunity to help retailers and brands understand what’s actually happening on store shelves and take action on that information,” — Reuters. Instacart, wells fargo analyst
- “The boundaries between restaurant, grocery and broader retail delivery have become increasingly blurred,” — Michael Gunther, senior vice president of research and market intelligence at Consumer Edge
What’s Next
Instacart is scheduled to release its quarterly results on 5 November, while DoorDash will report earnings on 4 November. Both companies may provide further clarity on the transaction after those filings.