Food delivery company Chilivery is in investment talks with Iran’s major e-commerce platform Digikala.
Recently, Iranian social media users were abuzz about Digikala having acquired Chilivery. However, in a statement, Chilivery denied any acquisition agreement between the two, but noted that Digikala might invest an undisclosed amount of money in the food delivery platform, Peivast news website reported.
In December 2019, Iran’s two major food delivery companies, Chilivery and Reyhoon, had signed a merger and acquisition deal. The new company will offer services under the brand name Chilivery.
The M&A agreement is expected to give Chilivery a competitive edge against Snapp Food, the dominant player in the Iranian market.
Chilivery is a subsidiary of Iranian Modern Business Company. Working with 4,000 restaurants, Chilivery is active in 30 cities.
Chilivery’s CEO Alireza Sadeghian says the company is set to offer a wider range of goods in the near future, including groceries, pastry and flowers.
In mid-December and following marathon talks, Takhfifan and NetBarg, two other major Iranian e-commerce platforms, also signed an M&A deal. Both startups offer products and services at significantly reduced prices. This deal was hammered out by Iranian equity firm Sarava Pars.
Sadeghinia, who also heads NetBarg, said a press conference will be held to furnish further details about the deal.
According to Takhfifan CEO Nazanin Daneshvar, there were ongoing negotiations between the two companies over the past three years because of numerous sticking points, including the companies’ valuation and legal complexities.
Reportedly, the new company will operate under Sarava that has invested in numerous Iranian startups, including Digikala and Cafe Bazaar.
