Bisu

Bisu operates as a mobile-first platform in Turkey, initially conceptualized to modernize the country's prevalent carboy water delivery market. The company was founded in Istanbul in 2015 by childhood friends Ergin Üner and Ozan Alptekin. Üner brought extensive corporate experience from his time at Pepsico, Danone, and Metro Group, while Alptekin, a computer engineering graduate, had a background in consulting for global firms. The venture was born from the realization that the traditional, phone-based water ordering system was inefficient and lacked transparency for consumers.

The core of Bisu's business is its marketplace application, available on iOS and Android, which aggregates various water brands, allowing users to compare prices, pH values, and delivery options before placing an order. This model addresses a fundamental need in a market where reliance on bottled water is high. The service is free for consumers, with revenue generated through commissions from the water producers and suppliers listed on the platform. Initially launched as a pure marketplace for water, the company later expanded its business model to include a rapid grocery delivery service. This service, named 'Bisu Fast Delivery', delivers a wide array of products, from fresh produce and beverages to cleaning supplies and pet food, often within 30 minutes from its own network of warehouses.

The company's journey has included several funding rounds to fuel its expansion. An early investment in 2016 from 500 Istanbul (now 500 Global) and Sankonline valued the company at $2.2 million. A more recent seed round in March 2023 involved investors like Integral Private Equity Portfolio Management and Alesta. However, in April 2023, the company announced it was undergoing a concordat process—a form of debt restructuring—and would suspend its rapid grocery delivery operations to refocus on its original and more stable water marketplace model. This strategic pivot aims to ensure financial stability and fulfill obligations to its partners while continuing to serve customers across more than 60 cities in Turkey.

Keywords: water delivery, on-demand grocery, Turkey, mobile marketplace, e-commerce, carboy water, grocery delivery app, Bisu, Ergin Üner, Ozan Alptekin, Istanbul startup, fast delivery, online market, beverage delivery, home delivery service, mobile ordering, Turkish market, consumer goods delivery, retail tech, logistics platform