The European on-demand landscape is currently undergoing a profound change, characterized by Rise and fall of prominent players.

While companies like Getir and Gorillas faced challenges and eventually exited the market, others, such as Starship Technologies and Picnic, have secured significant funding to expand their operations. In 2024 alone, we saw Starship Technologies raise 90 million dollars and the Dutch online grocery retailer Picnic educated 355 million euros.

Beyond the traditional gig economy model of fast food delivery, on-demand startups (and scaleups) are carving out unique niches to differentiate themselves from their predecessors. Here are some companies to watch:

Cafler (Spain)

Kafler is an all-in-one marketplace platform for everything a car owner needs, from home services like maintenance and laundry to insurance, parking, financing and rental.

Cafler was founded in Barcelona in 2021 and has grew quicklywith over 150,000 completed services and more than 750 trusted partners. The company operates in Spain, France and the UK and serves both Consumers and businesses.

Laundryheap (UK)

pile of laundry picks up your laundry, cleans it and delivers it to your door. 98.7 percent of all standard laundry and dry cleaning shipments are delivered the next day.

Since its founding in London in 2014, Laundryheap has expanded to 14 countries worldwide, including Kuwait, Ireland, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, France, Peru, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Denmark.

The company recently partnered with bike-as-a-service specialist Delivery Mates to expand its cargo bike fleet in the UK and Europe.

PedalMe (UK)

Pedal is a London-based cargo and passenger bike service founded in 2017. It operates within a 9-mile radius of central London (with the option for longer journeys) using a fleet of 55 Urban Arrow bikes and 45 staff, covering 25,000km each month.

Pedal Me claims to be the only freight service whose bikes can carry the following in a single trip on the same day, while travelling at an average speed of 15 km/h in central London:

● two adults and a small dog

● 480L of essential products and food

● 150 kg of spirits and beer ● 50 hot meals

● a concrete mixer

● a refrigerator

Pedal Me enables her Customers can share delivery rides, reducing costs while providing a sustainable alternative. All Pedal Me riders are full-time employees with pre-determined shifts and hourly pay (as opposed to pay per delivery in the gig economy model). Pedal Me also has its own cycling instructors and a comprehensive training program.

Yolla (Germany)

Yolla is an ethnic food e-grower that focuses on products for the Turkish-Arab population in Germany. The company not only offers halal food but also follows halal business values ​​and principles.

The app is available in four languages ​​and more than 1000 SKUsincluding halal meat. Customers can order in 55 cities Already throughout Germany.

Market launch (Germany)

LANCH is a virtual kitchen and food delivery startup with a platform to operate online food delivery brands.

The startup builds food brands around artists and creatives to appeal to their fan base, including Loco Chicken In Partnership with the German rapper Luciano.

Jonas Meynert, Chief Operating Officer of LANCH, combined forces with Kevin Kock and Nono Konopka found the company. Kock founded virtual Kitchen startup Honest Food, which was acquired by Delivery Hero.

The company raised 2.5 million euros Pre-sowing Financing in May 2023with a further 8.3 million euros in October 2023. The investors include the German football players Mario Götze and André Schürrle.

Sparqle (Netherlands)

Sparqle is a sustainable delivery platform with the goal of reducing emissions in the logistics industry

Sparqles The platform offers easy integration between retailers, e-commerce brands and sustainable delivery methods.

The company’s proprietary software, driver app and its own fleet of e-cargo bikes and electric vehicles optimize delivery routes for maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact. The ensures punctual, reliable deliveries and reduces CO2 emissions, pollution and traffic congestion in cities.

Cover photo: Spaqle. Photo: no credit given.