I was asked to MC for the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Dublin hub for the meet the Leader series were I sat down (over zoom) to chat with Buymie CEO & Co-Founder Devon Hughes. The MTL sessions are to create a space where shapers and young, driven individuals can meet and interact with local leaders across various sectors in order to learn from their personal journeys and gain insight into key issues affecting Ireland. I was excited to pick Devon’s brain on topics such as building a disruptive business in Ireland and the vital role Buymie has played in delivering essential food supplies during COVID19!

The online grocery delivery startup Buymie has seen a 300% boost in activity as a result of social distancing measures during the current pandemic. Buymie’s app, which is used in partnership with supermarket chains like Lidl, allows users to buy their groceries online and have them delivered to their homes. In the days after the initial surge in cases of Covid-19, Buymie, along with Enterprise Ireland (Enterprise Ireland is the Government agency in Ireland responsible for supporting Irish businesses), put forward a proposal to the government for a nationwide ‘direct food distribution initiative’.

The public-private initiative would link government and the grocery industry to distribute groceries to vulnerable citizens or people in self-isolation in a bid to reduce community transmission. Buymie’s technology and delivery service would be one cog in this effort. Buymie has raised €8 million in funding since the pandemic began to help ensure that the most vulnerable in Ireland are ensured they can still receive their groceries!

We discussed Devan's journey as an entrepreneur: how he started off as an analyst which gave him a deep appreciation for data and how he upskilled to learn about enterprise and strategy that lead to building and growing his latest venture Buymie. He also told us about the unexpected ways COVID19 and Ireland’s lockdown allowed for Buymie to create important partnerships in order to provide a crucial delivery service that kept people out of congested grocery shops where it is hard to keep socially distant. He is an inspiring go getter and his story was very powerful!