A Didi-Kuaidi source has revealed that the taxi app giant has completed an investment in O2O takeout service Eleme (meaning “hungry?”). An announcement is expected next week.
Eleme is a top O2O takeout delivery service in China
According to the source, Eleme and Didi-Kuaidi will partner for urban food delivery service using electric delivery bicycles and automobiles. The jointly developed service is already making a trial-run in Beijing and will officially go online in December. Eleme researchers have ben frequenting the Didi-Kuaidi office to conduct final adjustments to the convergence of the technology and product.
On November 12, Eleme’s CEO Xuhao Zhang confirmed it had received an investment from Didi-Kuaidi.
Rumors of a Didi-Kuaidi investment in Eleme began circulating in the industry as early as September this year. At the time, the GM of GSR Ventures and an investor in both Didi-Kuaidi and Eleme, Xiaohu Zhu, revealed that the two companies were looking into jointly developing an urban delivery service. At the time, neither Didi-Kuaidi nor Eleme gave any clear response to queries.
Interestingly enough, Didi-Kuaidi’s archrival Uber has already launched its own takeout delivery service in overseas markets.
The market also speculated whether Dianping-backed Eleme’s operational independence would be affected by the mega merger of lifestyle site Dianping and group buy giant Meituan.
For his part, Mr. Zhang has denied the possibility of Eleme merging with Meituan.
Even before news of its partnership with Didi-Kuaidi emerged, Eleme had released a public statement denying the rampant online rumors of an upcoming merger. In its statement Eleme said it would remain an independent operation and the company would continue to grow its operations.（Translation by David)
