Delivery Hero alumni have built 150 startups worth €7.5B, making it Europe’s biggest founder factory

Delivery Hero alumni have amassed an impressive track record, with their collective efforts giving birth to 150 startups valued at a combined €7.5 billion, according to a new analysis by Dealroom.co. These ventures, launched by individuals who once worked for Delivery Hero and its European subsidiaries, have collectively attracted €4.4 billion in venture capital and are currently employing 11,000 people worldwide.

The impact of these startups is particularly pronounced in Germany, with Berlin-based ventures accounting for €4.9 billion of the total enterprise value and around 3,700 of the 11,000 jobs created in the country. The Berlin headquarters of Delivery Hero alone has given rise to 42 next-generation startups, boasting a combined enterprise value of €4.4 billion and employing approximately 6,800 individuals.

While Delivery Hero dominates the report in terms of the number of alumni-founded startups and venture capital raised in Germany, its influence extends across Europe. For instance, alumni from foodora have founded 49 companies in France, Spain, Scandinavia, and Central Europe, totaling €2.3 billion in combined enterprise value. Similarly, former Glovo employees have established 35 startups worth €461 million.

The impact of Delivery Hero's alumni extends beyond the food delivery sector, with enterprise software and health and transportation also being significant areas of focus. The report indicates that Delivery Hero alumni typically remain with the company for about three years before launching their own ventures, with a third of them doing so within six months of leaving Delivery Hero.

The transition from employee to entrepreneur is often swift, with 43% of founders establishing their companies within a year of departing from Delivery Hero.