Operator
The business, the turning points, and the decisions behind them.
Some sections are still being researched2 / 4
Sections to complete：02 · 05
01 / WHAT IT BUILT
What the company did
Operator was a shopping concierge app - a 'request network' - founded in 2015 by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp and former Zynga executive Robin Chan, built by Camp's startup studio Expa. Users texted a request for an item (e.g. 'running shoes'), and a human 'Operator' - a mix of the app's employees, in-store sales reps and brand representatives matched by expertise - researched products across the internet and sent purchase options; users could buy with an 'I'll take it' button. It later partnered with UberRush for one-hour delivery.
02 / FAILURE REASONS
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.
03 / EVENT HISTORY
Events in the structured record
- Founded and public beta
After two years in stealth, Operator opened its public beta in April 2015 as a human-assisted shopping app; in December 2015 it partnered with UberRush for one-hour delivery of purchases.
- No public outcome
No shutdown announcement, acquisition, or bankruptcy was ever publicly documented; the app quietly faded from public view.
04 / CONTEMPORARY REBUILD ASSESSMENT
Difficulty of rebuilding this project today
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.
Overall assessment: Not completed
05 / CAUSAL CHAIN / AFTERMATH
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.