Instacart acquires Instaleap to expand enterprise tech globally

Instacart has acquired Colombia-based grocery tech firm Instaleap, the company announced on Tuesday. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the transaction marks a shift in how the US-based grocery delivery company approaches international expansion. Founded in 2019, Instaleap operates as a fulfillment solutions platform that helps retailers streamline and scale their online operations. The company brings an international footprint, serving clients across nearly 30 countries in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.

This footprint complements Instacart’s existing suite of enterprise tools. These include Storefront Pro, Instacart’s commerce platform for grocers, which powers the e-commerce operations of more than 380 grocers, including Aldi, Costco, Publix, and Sprouts. Additionally, its Carrot Ads offering, which serves as its advertising platform for retailers, allows more than 310 retailers to build and scale their online and in-store advertising business.

Because Instacart’s delivery service is only available in North America, the acquisition will allow the company to expand its business into international markets without needing to launch a delivery network in those regions. Instaleap will initially operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Instacart, with plans to expand more of Instacart’s enterprise technology to Instaleap’s partners over time.

Leadership from both companies highlighted the strategic alignment of the acquisition. Ryan Hamburger, chief commercial officer at Instacart, stated that the company sees “a meaningful opportunity to expand internationally through an enterprise-led strategy that empowers retailers across the globe to meet the evolving omnichannel needs of their customers.” He added that the addition of Instaleap’s technology, international expertise, and deep retail relationships can accelerate their international expansion and better serve retailers and consumers around the world.

Antonio dos Santos Nunes, co-founder and CEO of Instaleap, noted that the platform was built with a deep focus on the unique needs of grocery retailers across diverse international markets. He stated that joining Instacart enables the firm to scale its impact with the support of a trusted partner that shares its commitment to retailer success.

Why it matters

This acquisition represents a pivot in Instacart’s international strategy: rather than exporting its capital-intensive delivery network, it is exporting its enterprise software stack to existing retailers in global markets.