Oscar Pierre, Founder and CEO of Glovo: Building a Globally Renowned Company

Meet the founders

Oscar Pierre, the CEO and co-founder of Glovo, embarked on his academic journey at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya before transferring to Georgia Tech in the U.S. to seek greater opportunities. After graduation, he began his career as an aerodynamics engineer at Airbus in Toulouse. However, after just six months, he felt the urge to pursue new challenges and decided to embark on his entrepreneurial journey.

Before founding Glovo, Oscar had already launched two impactful ventures: Zikkomo.com, a platform dedicated to supporting children in Malawi, and LoveItLocal.es, an online marketplace designed to promote local craft businesses. However, Oscar was very much inspired by the success of disruptive apps like Uber and Airbnb, which led him to identify a significant gap in the market—a lack of on-demand delivery services for local products.

In 2015, Oscar returned to Barcelona with the vision of creating Glovo and soon crossed paths with Sacha Michaud at the Catalan Conector Startup Accelerator program. Michaud, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, became Oscar’s co-founder, as he recognized potential in Oscar and his vision. Together, they began brainstorming the concept of Glovo and registered the company, GLOVOAPP23 SL, in September 2014.

Origin of the Idea

The idea for Glovo was conceived from a simple yet insightful observation of Oscar. He analyzed that as urban life is becoming increasingly hectic, people are placing higher value on their time and are willing to invest in services that could save their time.

Oscar Pierre recognized a significant gap in the market, which was a need for a delivery service capable of transporting virtually anything to anyone in a city within minutes. While food delivery was gaining traction, Pierre envisioned a more expansive service that could deliver not only meals, but also groceries, pharmacy items, and even forgotten keys.

Humble Beginning of The Journey

So, finally in 2015, Oscar Pierre and Sacha Michaud, launched Glovo. Initially, they launched a basic version of the app in Barcelona to test the concept and refine their business model. The initial app allowed users to order food from a limited selection of local restaurants and stores.

However, The company quickly identified its unique selling proposition. The founders realized that the company wasn't just a food delivery service, but a versatile platform capable of delivering virtually anything. This broad scope of services became the company’s defining strength. The company partnered with major brands like McDonald's, which positioned Glovo as a serious contender against already established players like Deliveroo and UberEats in the market.

Overcoming Challenges

In its early days, the company faced a series of significant challenges. Despite Glovo’s innovative approach, the company's early growth was slow. The idea of on-demand delivery for everything was new in Spain, and getting both customers and businesses to adopt the service was difficult. Nevertheless, Pierre and his team remained committed. The dedicatedly focused on delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring fast and reliable deliveries, and fostering strong relationships with couriers to optimize efficiency.

In addition to that, the founders were facing challenges in secure funding so that they could assemble a talented team, and build a robust platform from the ground up.  In 2016, the company overcame these early hurdles by securing its first significant round of investment from a group of Spanish investors.

The flow of capital allowed the company to grow quickly and extend its operations to other cities in Spain. The company used it to enhance its app with new features and more diverse delivery options. The company quickly gained traction with its unique value proposition and improved platform. The company became a strong competitor in the crowded delivery market.

Hand in Hand with Success

Pierre’s hands-on leadership was key to Glovo’s success. He managed everything from product development to marketing and operations, while focusing on customer needs. His ability to learn from early challenges and stay adaptable helped Glovo build a loyal customer base.

Glovo’s growth is driven by constant innovation. Pierre knew that the company had to keep evolving to stay competitive. In 2018, the company made a breakthrough with the launch of "dark stores” which are small warehouses stocked with popular items for fast delivery. This new proposition helped in cutting delivery times and expanded the product range, which aided in attracting more customers.

By 2018, Glovo expanded into international markets like Italy, France, Portugal, and South America. However, this growth came with challenges like local regulations, competition, and cultural differences. But Pierre’s perseverance paid off, as he adapted Glovo’s services to fit each market and adjusted the business model when needed.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company quickly adapted by introducing contactless delivery and stricter hygiene measures to protect customers and couriers. The company also strengthened its partnerships with grocery stores and pharmacies to handle the increased demand for essential items. This proactive approach allowed it to keep operating smoothly during the crisis.

How is Glovo going forward?

Today, Glovo stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing delivery platforms. The company has a presence in over 22 countries and more than 300 cities. Oscar Pierre’s visionary leadership has been a cornerstone of the company’s success.

Looking to the future, Pierre is firmly committed to evolving Glovo’s services while expanding into new markets. His focus on innovation keeps improving customer experiences and making operations more efficient. The company is set to continue its growth and strengthen its position as a leader in the on-demand delivery industry. As the company evolves, Pierre’s leadership will remain a crucial factor in its continued success.

The story of Oscar Pierre is truly inspiring. From recognizing a market need to building a globally known brand, Pierre's vision, persistence, and leadership have been key to the company's success. Through hard work and innovation, he has shown that with resilience and a bold approach, it’s possible to turn an idea into a global name.

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