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DoorDash and Instacart announced a definitive agreement for DoorDash to acquire Instacart at $65 per share, an equity value of about $17 billion. The companies say the combination would pair DoorDash’s delivery network with Instacart’s grocery technology, but completion depends on conditions that were not fully detailed in the supplied announcement.

DoorDash has agreed to acquire Instacart in a deal that values the grocery-delivery company at about $17 billion, bringing together two major U.S. delivery platforms and their technology for local retailers. The companies said Instacart stockholders will receive $65 per share, with the consideration made up of at least 75% cash.

The announced price of $65 per Instacart share represents a 26% premium to Instacart’s closing share price on October 22, 2026, according to DoorDash. Instacart stockholders may elect cash, DoorDash stock or a combination, subject to proration. DoorDash stock cannot account for more than 25% of the total consideration. Instacart’s board unanimously approved the agreement.

DoorDash says the combined business would pair its delivery network with Instacart’s grocery and fulfillment technology. The companies expect their tools to serve retailers through both their apps and retailers’ own websites, alongside advertising and artificial-intelligence products. DoorDash also said it expects to retain the Instacart brand, app and enterprise technology products after closing.

The companies described potential benefits for shoppers, workers and retailers. DoorDash said Instacart customers could gain access to more than 50,000 additional stores, beyond the nearly 100,000 stores currently on Instacart’s platform. It also estimated that DashPass and Instacart+ members could save a combined $100 million a year in membership fees if they pay one membership fee rather than two. These are company projections, not realized savings.

At a glance
announcementWhen: Announced October 2026; transaction pen…
The developmentDoorDash announced a definitive agreement to acquire Instacart for $65 per share, valuing it at about $17 billion.

A Larger Network for Grocery Delivery

The deal would combine Instacart’s retailer relationships and grocery-specific ordering tools with DoorDash’s delivery operations and customer reach. That could give participating grocers another way to handle online orders and reach customers, while potentially adding more store choices and delivery options for shoppers. The companies’ statements describe intended outcomes; they do not establish that every retailer or customer will see those benefits.

The transaction also has implications for people who shop and deliver orders. DoorDash says Dashers and Instacart Shoppers would have more opportunities to earn and more flexibility in choosing work. It has pledged that Instacart Shoppers could retain features including the ability to choose which batches to accept, and decide whether to take DoorDash orders or continue shopping only on Instacart. The practical effect will depend on how the services operate after a deal closes.

For retailers, DoorDash says the combined offering could provide delivery, fulfillment, online storefront and advertising tools. Its stated commitment that grocers would not face grocery exclusivity is relevant to businesses that may want to work with multiple delivery platforms. How that policy will be implemented across markets and services was not explained in the supplied announcement.

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Two Platforms With Different Strengths

DoorDash said the companies serve different but overlapping shopping needs: Instacart is used for grocery orders, while DoorDash offers restaurant meals and other local goods. Instacart’s business includes technology that lets retailers operate online shopping and fulfillment services, while DoorDash operates a delivery marketplace and network. Their proposed combination is presented by the companies as a way to offer retailers both capabilities.

The announcement frames the deal against growing online demand for groceries and everyday goods and competition from large retailers building their own delivery and digital shopping systems. DoorDash and Instacart argue that smaller and local businesses may not have the resources to develop comparable infrastructure independently. Those points are the companies’ rationale for the acquisition, rather than independent findings about the market or a guarantee of increased sales for local stores.

““Instacart has spent years learning to do that well for grocers, while DoorDash has built a delivery network and technology that local stores rely on every day.””

— Tony Xu, DoorDash co-founder and CEO

Closing Conditions Still Matter

The announcement confirms that the companies signed a definitive agreement, but it does not mean the acquisition has closed. The supplied material does not specify a targeted closing date, a detailed list of regulatory or other closing conditions, or the status of any required reviews. Those details should not be assumed from the agreement announcement.

The exact mix of cash and stock received by individual Instacart stockholders will depend on their elections and proration under the stated limits. It is also not yet clear how the companies will integrate operations, membership programs, retailer tools or worker-facing systems. DoorDash’s projected store access and membership savings remain estimates, and the announcement does not provide independent confirmation of those outcomes.

Awaiting the Transaction’s Close

DoorDash and Instacart said they will continue operating as separate, independent companies until the transaction closes. The next key developments are further details on the closing timeline and conditions, followed by updates on the status of the deal. If it closes, DoorDash says it expects to keep Instacart’s brand, app and enterprise technology products, while the companies’ commitments to retailers and shoppers will be tested in how the combined services are run.

Key Questions

How much is DoorDash paying for Instacart?

The agreement values Instacart at $65 per share, or about $17 billion in equity value. DoorDash said the price is a 26% premium to Instacart’s October 22, 2026 closing price.

Will Instacart shareholders receive cash or DoorDash stock?

Shareholders may elect cash, DoorDash stock or a combination. At least 75% of the aggregate consideration will be cash, and DoorDash stock is capped at 25%, with proration applying.

Will Instacart keep its name and app?

DoorDash said it expects to retain Instacart’s brand and app, along with its enterprise technology products, after the deal closes.

Will the acquisition close right away?

No. The companies have announced an agreement, but said they will operate separately until closing. The supplied announcement does not give a closing date or detail all conditions that must be met.

Source: about.doordash.com

This content is for general information only and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for decisions about your money.
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