Uber Competitor Gett Adds New Delivery Categories in 32 Cities Around the World With 20,000 drivers from New York to London to Moscow, the Gett transportation network will start delivering goods and services in July.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Gett

The technology that powers ride-hailing services connects drivers with people who need to go places. Gett, a global competitor to Uber, is leveraging that transportation technology infrastructure and expanding into new categories.

If you can order a car to take you from your apartment to a party across town, then why couldn't you use that same app to instead, stop and pick up sushi, chocolate and wine and bring the party to you?

That's exactly what London-headquartered Gett has been working on for the last year. And in July, the ridesharing company will launch the new application of this technology. While Gett hasn't disclosed exactly whether its first product will be food, beauty or home services, eventually the company says it wants to have all three versions available.

Related: Gett Is Playing Serious Hardball to Win Drivers From Uber

"Gett is expanding into new verticals -- think Gett Pizza, Gett Sushi, Gett Grocery, Gett Wine, Gett Flowers, Gett Dry Cleaning and Gett Plumber," said Gett founder and CEO Shahar Waiser in a statement. "We plan to become the first app you tap to gett essential things done. Everyone will use it and no one will remember how they coped without it."

Image credit: Gett

Launched in 2010 as GetTaxi, the company has recently rebranded to be just Gett, a move that gives the brand room to expand to transportation segments beyond ferrying humans between their destinations. Gett currently operates in 32 cities around the world, including New York City, London and Moscow, and has 20,000 drivers.

Related: Uber in Hot Water Again Over Surge Pricing Revelations

Like any up-and-coming ridesharing company these days, Gett is up against the 800-pound gorilla in the room, Uber. Its strategy is to pounce on areas where Uber gets the most criticism; for instance, Gett is consistently is positioning itself as the "surge-free" ride-hailing option. That's primarily because Uber has taken a lot of heat for its controversial surge pricing policy, where the costs of rides vary depending on relative levels of demand at the particular moment.

With its new rollout of delivering products and services, Gett is making a bold play in the battle against Uber. Uber has, at various times, experimented with goods and services-related delivery programs including programs that provide helicopters on demand, help people move large cargo from one point to another and deliver toilet paper to your doorstep. None of those pilot programs have become part of Uber's permanent repertoire, though.

Related: Look Out, Uber: A Ride-Sharing Service in NYC Is Peddling $10 Flat Rates
Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

The End of Bureaucracy — How Leadership Must Evolve in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

What if bureaucracy, the very system designed to maintain order, is now the greatest obstacle to progress?

Business News

A New Hampshire City Was Named the Hottest Housing Market in the U.S. This Year. Here's the Top 10 for 2024.

Zillow released its annual lists featuring the top housing markets, small towns, coastal cities, and geographic regions. Here's a look at the top real estate markets and towns in 2024.

Business Ideas

Is Your Business Healthy? Why Every Entrepreneur Needs To Do These 3 Checkups Every Year

You can't plan for the new year until you complete these checkups.

Business News

A Government Shutdown Could Cost the U.S. Economy $6 Billion a Week, According to EY's Chief Economist

Experts from EY tell Entrepreneur that a government shutdown could leave "a visible mark" on the economy.