Core Insights - The article highlights the entrepreneurial journey of Zhang Xuhao, founder of Ele.me, illustrating how a simple idea born from a common inconvenience evolved into a significant business that transformed the food delivery landscape in China [2][26]. Group 1: Origin of the Idea - The concept of Ele.me originated in 2008 when Zhang Xuhao, then a student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, faced challenges in accessing food due to the remote location of his dormitory [3][5]. - The initial idea was to sell boxed meals online to address the inconvenience of traveling to the cafeteria or off-campus restaurants [3][5]. Group 2: Initial Challenges - In the early stages, the online food delivery model faced skepticism from potential merchant partners, who were reluctant to embrace a new and unproven business model [7][10]. - Zhang Xuhao and his team faced significant funding challenges, relying on personal savings and contributions from family and friends to purchase delivery vehicles [7][9]. Group 3: Business Model Development - After launching the website in April 2009, Zhang made a pivotal decision to focus on creating an online ordering platform rather than managing delivery services directly [10][12]. - The team developed a restaurant management system to help merchants streamline order management and improve operational efficiency, addressing a core pain point for restaurant owners [14][16]. Group 4: Growth and Competition - By 2011, Ele.me had gained traction, with the app generating over 6 billion in transaction volume and nearly 10 million in revenue in its first year [18]. - The entry of major competitors like Alibaba and Meituan in 2013 intensified market competition, leading to aggressive subsidy wars that strained Ele.me's financial resources [19][21]. Group 5: Acquisition and Legacy - In 2018, Alibaba acquired Ele.me for 9.5 billion, marking a significant milestone in Zhang Xuhao's entrepreneurial journey [24]. - Post-acquisition, Zhang continued to play a role in the company and the broader Alibaba ecosystem, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to innovation and growth in the retail sector [24][26].