We have advised leading European 10-minute grocery delivery platform Dija on its successful exit to dominant US player, Gopuff. Having initially advised the business on its $20 million seed round in December 2020, we provided support through the company's rapid growth and significant European expansion ahead of guiding it through its exit.
Grocery delivery start-ups have shot to prominence in the UK and elsewhere during the COVID-19 pandemic as customers have opted to order their essentials from the safety of their own homes through online platforms. Founded by delivery industry leaders Alberto Menolascina and Yusuf Saban, Dija promises to deliver groceries to your door in 10 minutes or less.
Dija buys products wholesale and sells them through an app, often at a premium to supermarket prices, using small warehouses known as "dark stores" to hold the goods. Its experienced team of leaders has powered impressive expansion across Europe. Today the company operates dozens of micro-fulfilment centres across major metropolitan areas including London, Paris, Madrid, Valencia, and more.
Commenting on the transaction, corporate partner Angus Miln, said: "We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Dija team and supporting the company's spectacular growth over the past eight months. Its exit to Gopuff is an excellent achievement and we were pleased to work alongside our strategic alliance partner Wilson Sonsini to deliver another successful US exit."
Alberto Menolascina, CEO of Dija, added: “Taylor Wessing is one of the UK’s and Europe's pre-eminent firms advising clients in the tech sector. We are grateful to Angus and his team for their insightful and commercially focused guidance through the expansion of our business and now at this important next step."
The team was led by corporate partner Angus Miln, with support from senior associate Elinor Picton, associate Emily Thomas, and trainee Amie Corry. Additional support was provided by Graham Samuel-Gibbon on tax and Ann Casey on incentives.
The team at Wilson Sonsini advised on the US aspects of the exit.
