Failed 2025

    GoPuff

    $3.4B in funding for instant convenience delivery still hasn't produced profitability. Another quick commerce cautionary tale.

    Founded → Closed

    2013 → 2025

    Funding Raised

    $3.4B

    Industry

    Quick Commerce/Delivery

    Country

    USA

    IdeaProof AI Failure Score

    75/100
    Market Fit RiskBurn Rate RiskFounder Risk
    Market Fit Risk
    55
    Burn Rate Risk
    90
    Founder Risk
    30

    Full Analysis

    GoPuff operates micro-fulfillment centers (dark stores) for instant delivery of snacks, alcohol, and household items. Despite raising $3.4B at a $15B peak valuation, the company laid off thousands of employees, closed hundreds of dark stores, and retreated from many markets. The fundamental challenge: delivering $5-15 orders profitably requires order density that only works in the densest urban neighborhoods. GoPuff continues to operate but at a fraction of its peak scale.

    Could This Failure Have Been Prevented?

    IdeaProof's AI validates market demand, competitive positioning, and business model viability in minutes — catching the exact issues that sank GoPuff.

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