GoPuff going bigger with expanded late-night delivery of everything from munchies to diapers

A Philadelphia startup that offers late-night delivery of convenience store items is raising big money for a national expansion.

GoPuff started its services with munchie runs aimed at college kids, but since launching in 2014, the company and its product offerings have matured.

Today, the online delivery service operates in nine cities, offering staples such as chips, ice cream and Gatorade, but also beer, rolling papers, condoms, and tampons, all delivered to your doorstep within 30 minutes, even late night.

“A lot of customers just come up and give you a hug,” said Rafael Ilishayev, who co-founded the company with his cousin while both were students at Drexel University.

GoPuff relies on independent drivers, similar to Uber’s employee model, charging customers a flat $1.95 delivery fee.

After recently raising $8.25 million in venture capital funding, the company is looking to go big.

“We are going to be using it to get a lot better and more qualified personnel, as well as expanding into as many cities as possible,” said Ilishayev.

That means four additional markets this summer, and 18 total by the end of the year. GoPuff is also tweaking the product lines to serve a wider audience.

“A huge request for us right now is diapers,” he said.

The company is looking to operate enough distribution warehouses and hire enough drivers to get delivery times down to under 15 minutes.