Join Philly Mag for a Virtual Secrets From the C-Suite Event Series
GoPuff co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, our special guests, will talk about how the company became essential during a global pandemic.
By Fabiola Cineas·	 5/23/2020, 8:20 a.m.
GoPuff co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola will join Philadelphia magazine for the third part of virtual Secrets From the C-Suite, presented by Comcast Business on Thursday, May 28th at 1:30 p.m.
The entrepreneurs launched the on-demand convenience store as students at Drexel University in 2013. Now nearly ten years later, goPuff, backed by a recent $750M investment, serves more than 180 locations, employs more than 3,000 people and runs 24/7 in many areas. On goPuff's website and app, shoppers can find everything from home essentials and snacks to cleaning supplies and medicine. While goPuff's trajectory is a legendary Philadelphia tale, the co-CEOs will talk to us about the company's latest stage — finding opportunity amid a global pandemic.
GoPuff spotted opportunity and earned its spot as an essential business. Since mid-February the company has seen an increase in customer demand, particularly in their newest categories — baby, pet, masks, and light groceries (milk, eggs, bacon, bread, etc.). A key differentiator for the service is its vertical integration. All products on the company's website are housed in its many warehouses, and unlike other services like Instacart, goPuff owns the entire customer experience from the app to the moment their driver partners deliver the products at your doorstep. There are no middlemen nor delivery windows. Even during the pandemic, the company aims to deliver within 30 minutes.
Ilishayev and Gola will shed light on how they've made decisions to foster unprecedented growth and bring value to consumers during the pandemic. Looking forward, they'll explain how they plan to keep the momentum alive once people get the green light and the confidence to return to grocery stores more regularly. In addition, tune in to hear how the entrepreneurs are leading differently during this time and working to protect everyone involved in the goPuff operation.
To register for the free live event, click here.
Secrets From the C-Suite, presented by Comcast Business launched in mid-May with La Colombe founder and CEO Todd Carmichael. The second event featured Skai Blue Media founder and CEO. You can watch a recording of each segment below.
Secrets From the C-Suite featuring Todd Carmichael
Secrets From the C-Suite featuring Rakia Reynolds
Philly CEOs
Fabiola Cineas	Senior Editor @fabiolacineas
fcineas@phillymag.com
Permits, Parking and Kiddie Pools: How to Throw a Raging Philly Block Party This Year
"Abbott Elementary," Set in Philly, Is Taking the TV World by Storm