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He was born in India and grew up in Libya before moving to Canada with his family. Like many immigrants, his early life was filled with adjustment—new schools, new cultures, and the constant challenge of starting over.
He studied engineering at the University of Waterloo, a place that would sharpen his problem-solving skills and expose him to the world of technology. But his journey to success wasn’t smooth.
✨ A Spark Becomes a Startup
Apoorva worked at Amazon in Seattle, helping to design fulfillment systems. He saw firsthand how e-commerce was transforming the world—but he also spotted a gap: groceries.
In 2012, after moving to San Francisco, he launched Instacart, starting from scratch and coding much of the first app himself. The idea was simple but revolutionary—deliver groceries on demand, using everyday people as shoppers.
“The hardest problems are the ones worth solving.” — Apoorva Mehta
❤️ Building More Than an App
At first, investors were skeptical. Grocery delivery had been tried before—and failed. But Apoorva’s persistence paid off. He knocked on doors, pitched relentlessly, and grew the company city by city.
Within a few years, Instacart had become a household name across North America, valued in the billions of dollars and employing tens of thousands of shoppers.
🌍 Beyond Business
Apoorva didn’t just build a company—he built a lifeline. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Instacart became essential, helping families get food safely delivered at a time of crisis.
His journey turned him into one of the most successful Indian-born tech entrepreneurs in Canada and the U.S., proving that immigrant innovation fuels industries.
🎯 Why His Story Inspires
Apoorva Mehta’s path shows us that:
- Failures are not endings—they are lessons.
- Immigrants see opportunities others overlook.
- Persistence can turn an idea into an industry.
From a student struggling with change in Canada to a tech billionaire shaping how we shop, Apoorva’s story is proof that resilience and vision can transform everyday life.
