Postmates is owned by Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), which completed the $2.65 billion acquisition in December 2020.

Is Postmates still operating?

Yes. Postmates continues to operate under its own brand and app in select U.S. cities, though its orders, merchants, and couriers run on Uber's shared delivery infrastructure.

Is Postmates the same as Uber Eats?

They are separate apps on the surface, but Postmates operates on Uber's delivery platform. Uber encourages users to link their Postmates and Uber accounts, and the merchant networks are shared.

Why did Uber buy Postmates?

Uber acquired Postmates to strengthen its U.S. delivery position during the pandemic, adding Postmates' merchant network and customer base, particularly in Los Angeles and other western markets where the brand was strong.

Did Postmates go public?

No. Postmates filed confidentially for an IPO in early 2020 but instead agreed to be acquired by Uber in July 2020.

Food Service & Restaurants

Who Owns Postmates?

Postmates is owned by Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), which acquired the San Francisco delivery startup in a $2.65 billion deal completed in December 2020. Postmates continues to operate under its own brand and app in select U.S. markets, though its backend operations now run on Uber's delivery infrastructure and orders flow through the shared Uber Eats platform.

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Parent Company

Uber Technologies, Inc.

Acquired

2020

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

San Francisco, California, USA

Postmates Timeline

2009

Uber Technologies, Inc.

Parent company established in San Francisco, California, USA

Company Founded

2011

Postmates

Founded by Bastian Lehmann, Sam Street, Sean Plaice

Founded

2020

Acquired by Uber Technologies, Inc.

Uber Technologies, Inc. acquired Postmates

Acquired

mid rangemass marketUnited StatesOfficial Website

Who Owns Postmates?

Parent Company: Uber Technologies, Inc.
Ownership Type: Subsidiary
Acquisition Year: 2020
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: NYSE: UBER

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
Postmates	Uber Technologies, Inc.	Subsidiary

History of Postmates

Founded: 2011
Founders: Bastian Lehmann, Sam Street, Sean Plaice
Acquired by Uber Technologies, Inc.: 2020

Postmates was founded in May 2011 in San Francisco by Bastian Lehmann, Sam Street, and Sean Plaice. It began as a local courier service with the premise of delivering anything, not just restaurant food: groceries, electronics, alcohol, and household items picked up and delivered within an hour.

The startup raised venture funding through the mid-2010s and expanded to thousands of U.S. cities. At its peak as an independent company, Postmates operated in close to 3,000 cities and raised a valuation of about $2.4 billion in a 2019 funding round. It filed confidentially for an IPO in early 2020 but never went public.

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the delivery market. DoorDash surged to market leadership while Postmates lost share. In July 2020, Uber agreed to buy Postmates for $2.65 billion, a move that consolidated the U.S. delivery market to three major players and gave Uber a stronger position in cities such as Los Angeles, where Postmates was especially strong.

After closing in December 2020, Uber migrated Postmates' merchant network and much of its technology to Uber Eats. The company encouraged Postmates users to link their accounts to Uber, and over time the standalone app's operations became a thin front end on Uber's delivery infrastructure. As of 2026, the Postmates brand and app remain live in select U.S. markets, functioning as an alternative consumer entry point into Uber's delivery network.

About Uber Technologies, Inc.

What does Uber own?
Uber owns its technology platform, mobile applications (Uber, Uber Eats, Uber Freight), and the Uber One subscription program. The company acquired Postmates in 2020 for $2.65 billion, which operates as a subsidiary. Uber does not own vehicles or employ drivers in most markets. Its portfolio includes Uber (ride-hailing), Uber Eats (food delivery), Uber Freight (logistics), and Uber for Business (enterprise solutions).

Is Uber publicly traded?
Yes, Uber is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol UBER. The company went public in May 2019, raising $8.1 billion at $45 per share. Ownership is distributed among institutional investors including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and Morgan Stanley, as well as individual shareholders.

Who founded Uber?
Uber was founded in 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp in San Francisco, California. The concept emerged from Camp's frustration with finding a taxi in Paris. The company launched as "UberCab" in 2010, initially offering luxury black car rentals before expanding to ride-sharing with UberX in 2012. Kalanick served as CEO until his resignation in 2017.

Where is Uber headquartered?
Uber is headquartered in San Francisco, California, where the company has maintained its global headquarters since its founding in 2009. The San Francisco location provides access to technology talent and venture capital resources. Uber operates regional offices globally to support its operations in over 70 countries.

How many brands does Uber own?
Uber's major brands are Uber (core ride-hailing), Uber Eats (food and retail delivery), Uber Freight (logistics), Careem (Middle East mobility), and Postmates (U.S. delivery). The company also operates Uber for Business (enterprise solutions) and Uber One (membership program). Within its core mobility platform, Uber offers service tiers including UberX, Uber Black, Uber Comfort, Uber Pool, and Uber XL.

Who owns Uber?
Uber is publicly owned with no controlling shareholder. Ownership is distributed among institutional investors including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and Morgan Stanley, as well as mutual funds, pension funds, and individual shareholders. SoftBank Group, previously the largest shareholder, has reduced its stake significantly since 2024. Dara Khosrowshahi has served as CEO since 2017.

Founded: 2009
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: NYSE: UBER
Revenue: $52.0 billion (FY2025)
Employees: Approximately 31,000

Visit Uber Technologies, Inc. website

View full company profile for Uber Technologies, Inc.

Where Is Postmates Made / Based?

Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

Postmates Categories & Tags

Food Delivery Delivery App On Demand Gig Economy

Postmates Recalls & Controversies

Postmates faced the same gig economy disputes as its peers: courier pay, tipping practices, and contractor classification. In 2019 and 2020, the company settled lawsuits over worker classification and pay practices. The Uber acquisition itself drew antitrust scrutiny, with the Justice Department reviewing the deal before it closed. Since integration, Postmates-related issues fall under Uber's regulatory umbrella, including courier classification disputes and the 2025 FTC lawsuit over Uber One subscription practices.

Postmates Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Backed by Uber's delivery infrastructure, courier network, and merchant relationships
+Retains brand equity in key markets such as Los Angeles and the West Coast
+Uber One membership benefits extend to Postmates users
+Financially stable under a parent generating $9.8 billion in annual free cash flow

Considerations

-The brand is a secondary front end for Uber Eats rather than a distinct operation
-Limited investment in standalone features compared with the main Uber Eats app
-Market share is modest relative to DoorDash
-Uncertain long-term brand strategy; Uber could retire it as it did Drizly

Frequently Asked Questions About Postmates

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to Postmates

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
Uber EatsSister Brand	Uber	USA	2014	Mass market	Global	All Genders
DoorDash	Doordash	USA	2013	Mass market	United states	All Genders