Mubadala Investment Company, the $276 billion Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, is reportedly eyeing a full exit from Getir, raising fresh questions about the future of Turkey’s quick-commerce experiment.
As of September 22, 2025, sources close to the matter reveal that Mubadala, Getir’s largest shareholder, is exploring sales across the company’s core delivery operations, financing arm (Getir Finans), and even its car rental subsidiary (Getir Arac).
This potential exit caps a turbulent chapter marked by boardroom battles, market retrenchments, and a refocus on home turf.
For investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone tracking Middle East-Turkey business ties, this development signals broader questions about foreign capital’s staying power in emerging markets.
Who Are the Key Players?
Mubadala, managing a massive $330 billion in assets as of 2025, isn’t your average investor. As Abu Dhabi’s flagship sovereign wealth fund, it has poured billions into global tech, energy, and infrastructure, often acting as a stabilising force in volatile regions.
Its venture into Turkey reflects the UAE’s growing economic footprint in the region, blending oil wealth with digital innovation bets.
Enter Getir:Founded in 2015 in Istanbul, Getir disrupted on-demand grocery delivery with its “15-minute” promise, blending dark stores, AI logistics, and hyper-local ops.
At its 2022 peak, the company hit a $12 billion valuation after a funding round led by Mubadala. It expanded aggressively into Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands) and the US, but cash burn and cooling demand forced a 2024 pivot: full withdrawal from international markets to double down on Turkey.
Today, Getir operates as a leaner, Turkey-centric player, but its $374 million asset valuation (per a January 2025 Dutch court filing) reflects the scars of overexpansion.
The Investment Saga: From Unicorn Darling to Exit Talks
Mubadala’s romance with Getir kicked off in 2021 with an early stake, evolving into a controlling interest by 2024. Key moves include:
- 2022 Funding Boost: Mubadala anchored a round that propelled Getir to unicorn status, fuelling global ambitions.
- 2024 Acquisitions: Post-regulatory nods from Turkey’s competition authority, Mubadala snapped up majority shares in Getir’s grocery distribution unit, Getir Finans (fintech services), and Getir Arac (vehicle rentals), essentially encircling the ecosystem.
- Debt Lifeline: In a cash-strapped phase, Mubadala extended $80 million in loans (March-April 2024) and a hefty $250 million tranche in June 2024, buying time amid restructuring woes.
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This wasn’t passive investing; it was a deep integration. Yet, by mid-2025, friction erupted. Getir’s founders, led by CEO Nazım Salur (who was ousted in February 2025 amid the power play), accused Mubadala of an “illegal coup” over duelling restructuring blueprints.
An Amsterdam court sided with Mubadala in January 2025, rejecting the founders’ appeal.
Fast-forward to September 19, 2025: Reuters broke the story of exit explorations, citing two insiders. No official confirmation from Mubadala, which declined comment, but the talks are “advanced” for some assets.
Why Now?
No single trigger, but a combination of headwinds:
- Control Clashes: Months of infighting over Getir’s survival strategy; founders pushed aggressive cuts; Mubadala favoured a measured overhaul, eroding trust. The fund’s “alternative transaction” plan, slammed as a coup, tipped the scales.
- Market Realities: Turkey’s delivery wars rage on, with giants like Trendyol (now Uber-backed after a $700 million May 2025 deal) and Yemeksepeti dominating. Getir’s post-exit refocus hasn’t stemmed losses, amid inflation and consumer belt-tightening.
- Strategic Realignment: Mubadala’s portfolio tilts toward high-growth, low-drama bets. Exiting Getir frees capital for stabler plays, like the UAE’s AI push or US semiconductors. For Getir, it’s a chance to reset without a heavyweight shareholder.
As of today, no deals are sealed; talks could fizzle,but the intent is clear: a clean break.
Who’s in the Mix?
Buyers are lining up, turning potential pain into opportunity:
- Core Delivery Ops: U.S. titan DoorDash (NYSE: DASH), holding 50%+ of America’s food delivery market, tops the list. Fresh off its $3.9 billion Deliveroo acquisition in May 2025, DoorDash eyes Turkey as a gateway to MENA growth. Multiple suitors are engaged, per sources.
- Car Rental (Getir Arac): Turkish logistics firm Tiktak is in “advanced” negotiations, a natural fit for fleet collaborative efforts.
- Fintech Angle (Getir Finans): Less activity here, but local banks or fintechs could snap it up amid Turkey’s digital finance boom.
If DoorDash lands the prize, it could turbocharge Getir’s tech stack while injecting fresh capital. For Mubadala, expect a valuation haircut from 2022 highs, but liquidity trumps legacy.
Broader Implications: A Wake-Up Call for Turkey’s Tech Ecosystem?
This isn’t just a corporate divorce; it’s a litmus test for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkey. Mubadala’s exit highlights:
- FDI Volatility: Amid Erdogan’s economic reforms, UAE inflows hit $2 billion in 2024, but disputes like this could spook others. Turkey’s delivery market, valued at $2.5 billion in 2025, needs steady capital to fight off global invaders.
- Getir’s Pivot Potential: Shorn of Mubadala’s influence, could Getir reclaim agility? Founders hint at legal fights, but a buyer infusion might stabilise ops.
- Global Quick-Commerce Trends: Echoes Uber’s Trendyol GO grab and consolidation favour scale players. Watch for DoorDash’s MENA expansion playbook.
| Aspect | Pre-Exit Getir | Post-Potential Exit Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Valuation | $12B (2022 peak) | ~$374M assets (2025 est.) |
| Markets | Turkey + exited intl. | Turkey-focused, possible new partners |
| Key Challenge | Cash burn & control fights | Buyer integration & market share defense |
| Opportunity | Mubadala loans | DoorDash tech + capital boost |
Final Thoughts: Eyes on the Deal Horizon
As September 2025 unfolds, Mubadala’s Getir approach reflects the high-stakes dance of sovereign funds in emerging tech.
Will DoorDash swoop in, or will Turkish rivals consolidate? For now, it’s speculation, but one that could redefine Turkey’s delivery landscape.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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