Could groceries truly arrive in just ten minutes? Here we are at Flink SE in Stuttgart. It is more than just a delivery service. It is a race against the clock.
Flink SE started its journey in Berlin at the end of 2020. Christoph Cordes, Oliver Merkel, and Julian Dames founded it. They envisioned a new way to get everyday items. Their goal was speed and convenience.
Flink delivers groceries from local warehouses. These warehouses are not open to the public. They call them dark stores. The promise is simple. Groceries delivered in ten minutes. This speed is achieved by using e-bikes. Flink’s employees ride them.
Flink quickly became a major player. By 2021, it surpassed Gorillas. It became the largest third-party delivery service in Europe. Flink delivered to ten million customers. This happened in over 140 locations. These locations spanned more than 60 cities.
Investors also noticed Flink’s potential. The company raised around 750 million US dollars. DoorDash and REWE were among the investors. A first funding round in February 2021 was led by Cherry Ventures. Northzone and Target Global also participated. By the end of 2021, Flink was valued at 2.1 billion US dollars.
In 2022, Flink acquired Cajoo. Cajoo was a French competitor. This acquisition made Flink the market leader in France. Carrefour, a trading group, became a shareholder. This partnership strengthened Flink’s position.
However, the road has not been without its challenges. In April 2024, the French subsidiary filed for bankruptcy. Flink had also withdrawn from Austria in December 2022.
Flink’s business model relies on speed and efficiency. They have warehouses in many locations. This enables them to deliver quickly. After an order is placed, warehouse pickers gather the items. Drivers then deliver the order on e-bikes. These drivers are full-time employees.
Flink offers a wide range of products. These include fresh meat, fish, pastries, and drinks. Customers can order via the Flink app. The app is available for both Android and iOS. Payments can be made using credit cards or PayPal.
Flink makes money through grocery sales and delivery fees. They also charge peak hour fees. In-app advertising and sales commissions also contribute to their revenue.
Flink has faced some controversies. These include a storage fee that was criticized. There were also issues with the obstruction of works councils. Despite these challenges, Flink continues to operate in several European countries.
Today, Flink continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing demands of the on-demand delivery market. From its start-up roots to its current presence, Flink SE remains a notable player.