Delhivery Founder Sahil Barua: Startup Story Behind India’s Logistics Giant

Delhivery Founder Sahil Barua: Startup Story Behind India’s Logistics Giant

A decade ago, online purchasing in India was not easy. People  questioned if their orders would arrive on time or at all. This was especially true for individuals living in small towns or isolated places, where deliveries were frequently delayed or never came.

Fast forward to now, and the situation has dramatically changed. One of the primary drivers of this transition is Delhivery, a logistics firm founded in 2011 by Sahil Barua and a group of close friends. What started as a small-scale delivery business in Gurgaon has evolved into one of India's largest logistics networks, servicing over 18,000 pin codes and carrying over 2 billion items to date.

From humble beginnings to national impact.

Sahil Barua, an IIM Ahmedabad alumni, was working for a renowned consulting business when he noticed the tremendous expansion of internet shopping in India. But he also saw a problem: the back-end logistics system couldn't keep up. Small firms lacked access to dependable delivery, and consumers were frequently kept in the dark about their shipments.

Seeing a tremendous chance, Barua quit his corporate career and collaborated with his friends to create something fresh. Initially, Delhivery concentrated on delivering food and supplies to local merchants. However, they soon altered gears when they recognized that the e-commerce business required a stronger logistical partner.

With online titans like Flipkart, Snapdeal, and Amazon developing rapidly, the time couldn't have been better. Delhivery was prepared to fill the gap.

Solving Old Problems with Smart Technology

What distinguished Delhivery from typical courier businesses was its use of cutting-edge technology. They created real-time tracking tools, sophisticated route planning systems, and easy platforms to help vendors and buyers effortlessly track their goods.

Rather than focusing just on metros, Delhivery expanded its services to smaller cities and even outlying locations, which were typically overlooked by other businesses.

Real people, real impact.

The actual measure of Delhivery's success is based on the experiences of those who utilize it—not just large companies, but also local enterprises and regular customers. Their experiences demonstrate how a smart delivery system may actually benefit people and companies.

Radhika’s Jewelry Business

“I used to manually call couriers and stand in line at the post office. It was a nightmare,” she recalls. “Then I started using Delhivery. They picked up parcels from my house, and my customers began getting their orders on time. That changed everything. I now send out 20–30 parcels a week.”

Abbas and the Bookstore

In Lucknow, Abbas Rizvi runs a small bookstore. He always wanted to sell books online, but logistics was holding him back.

“Most couriers took five to seven days, and customers weren’t happy,” he says. “Delhivery came into the picture, and suddenly I could ship across India in two to three days. Now, over half my orders come from outside Uttar Pradesh.”

Asha’s Peace of Mind

Asha Patil, a working mother in Pune, says she trusts Delhivery more than others.

“I once had my son’s birthday gift delivered a day early,” she laughs. “The delivery guy even called to check if I was home. It’s not just about speed—it’s about care.”

Challenges and Resilience

Of course, the journey wasn't easy. Logistics in India include coping with traffic congestion, poor roads, unpredictable weather, and sometimes poor infrastructure. Training hundreds of delivery personnel around the country was no easy feat.

Then followed the COVID-19 epidemic. Many firms had shut down. But Delhivery adapted rapidly. They helped transport necessary food, medications, and safety kits, serving as a lifeline during lockdowns. That time demonstrated the importance of a dependable logistics partner—not only for ease, but also for survival.

Going Public and Going Global

In 2022, Delhivery reached a new milestone by launching its IPO and becoming a publicly listed company. It raised over ₹5,000 crore—making it one of the biggest tech IPOs in India that year.

Now, the company is looking at international markets, improving its warehousing services, and adding even more automation to its operations.

A New Type of Business Leader.

What's most motivating is that Sahil Barua comes from a non-business household. He did not inherit a logistics firm. He constructed it step by step, with one clear purpose in mind: to make delivery faster, easier, and more dependable for everyone in India.

Delhivery is more than simply delivering boxes; it is also about providing trust and it all started with a simple question: "How can we do this better?"