How a Finnish startup grew into a global delivery powerhouse
In short: Founded in Helsinki in 2014, Wolt has rapidly expanded from a simple pick-up service into a massive international platform. Now a key part of the DoorDash empire, the company manages millions of orders across dozens of countries, fundamentally changing how we access food and household goods.
Wolt's journey began in 2014 in Helsinki, Finland, when six founders, including former Slush CEO Miki Kuusi, launched the platform. Initially, the service was limited to pick-up orders only. However, by 2016, the company introduced delivery services and expanded into Sweden and Estonia, even experimenting with self-driving robots in Tallinn alongside Starship Technologies.
The company's growth was fueled by significant investment, raising $856 million from a diverse group of backers, including Tiger Global and Prosus. This momentum led to a major milestone in May 2022, when the American company DoorDash acquired Wolt in a deal worth approximately $8.1 billion. While DoorDash maintains its own branding in North America and Australasia, Wolt continues to operate as a sub-brand across Europe and Asia.
As of May 2023, Wolt's scale was immense: operating in 25 countries and over 300 cities, it served 20 million registered customers through more than 70,000 merchant partners. However, this rapid expansion has not been without friction. In Germany, the Hotel and Restaurant Association DEHOGA criticized the service for taking a 30% provision, potentially interfering with restaurant pricing. Meanwhile, in Israel, lawmakers have scrutinized the company's fee structures, and in Denmark, the company has faced criticism from restaurant associations and courier demonstrations regarding wages.
The company's leadership has also seen significant shifts. In October 2025, Miki Kuusi stepped down as Wolt's CEO to lead Deliveroo, another DoorDash-owned entity. Despite its vast reach, the company continues to refine its footprint, such as the 2026 decision to cease operations in Japan and Uzbekistan.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wolt
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