Wolt

The Helsinki startup scene buzzed in 2014 when three friends launched a service designed to beat the clock on dinner. Miki Kuusi, Juhani Mykkänen, and Elias Aalto built an app that promised faster delivery from local restaurants than anyone else could manage. Their strategy relied on connecting customers directly with independent merchants rather than just big chains, creating a hyper-local network across Europe and Asia.

Over the last decade, the company evolved from a simple meal delivery tool into a broader e-commerce platform. Wolt Market now operates physical grocery stores alongside its digital marketplace, selling household goods and pharmacy items. This pivot toward retail commerce proved successful; by April 2026, grocery sales made up more than 25% of the company's global revenue, placing it among Europe's top ten online grocers.

DoorDash acquired the Finnish brand in late 2022 for roughly $7.9 billion to expand its international footprint. While the parent company announced plans in early 2026 to wind down operations in four smaller markets to optimize its portfolio, Wolt remains a primary brand in core territories. The company continues to experiment with features like split payments for group orders and maintains a playful marketing style that emphasizes human connection over sterile utility. [edit]