Delivery Hero alumni spawn 150 startups worth €7.5B

A study published today by Marketscreener estimates that alumni of Delivery Hero and its European subsidiaries have founded 150 startups now valued at a combined €7.5 billion. The report suggests this network effect may stem from the company’s growth across Europe, which appears to have created opportunities for operators to transition into founding roles.

The figure emerges as Europe’s startup ecosystem continues to grapple with structural challenges, including regulatory hurdles and funding gaps that have led some founders to seek opportunities elsewhere. Manna CEO Bobby Healy’s recent relocation to the U.S., where he criticized Europe’s startup climate, underscores these tensions. However, the Marketscreener report hints at an alternative dynamic: a cohort of founders who may have remained in Europe or launched ventures in other regions, spanning sectors from AI development tools to hardware.

The €7.5 billion valuation raises questions about how this value is distributed. The report does not clarify whether a small number of startups drive the bulk of the figure, nor does it detail funding sources or geographic breakdowns. What it does highlight is the potential influence of founder networks—a trend European accelerators have increasingly emphasized, particularly in efforts to support women entrepreneurs, as StartupReader covered last month.

For those tracking Europe’s startup landscape, the report invites speculation about whether this model could extend beyond Delivery Hero’s ecosystem. While the company’s expansion may have created a talent pipeline, broader adoption would likely depend on sustained access to capital, mentorship, and market opportunities. The contrast between Europe’s persistent challenges and these emerging signs of founder-driven growth remains a key point of discussion.

Sources: marketscreener.com