May 22, 2020

Meet Evan Jarecki of Gimme in Atlanta Tech Village

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Jarecki.

Evan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I moved to Savannah, GA, during my freshman year in high school, I fell in love with my dream company: Gulfstream. Throughout high school and college, I was dead set on working for them. Since they are based in my hometown, I’d be able to see my family and friends often too. I decided to become an engineer at the best school for it: Georgia Tech (go Jackets!).

I met my business partner, Cory Hewett, while interning together there summer of 2012. We were both electrical engineers, but there was one significant difference between us by our junior year: Cory had already owned 3-4 small businesses. One of these businesses was a vending route operation, where Cory would restock snacks and drinks for about 30 machines in Peachtree City, GA. We spent the next two years hanging out at GT, and I learned a lot more about what it meant to be an entrepreneur. But, as planned, I accepted an offer to work full-time at Gulfstream during my senior year at GT.

Two weeks before my graduation, Cory and I both received an email from the school saying there was a program called “Startup Summer” beginning the summer of 2014. I swear within 5 minutes of getting that email, Cory called me. He pitched me an idea: build technology to improve the lives of vending route operators. We didn’t have the details yet of how we’d do it, but Cory was inviting me to be a co-founder. He told me at the end of the call, “Meet me for dinner tomorrow at 6 pm. If you’re in, you buy me a beer. If not, I’ll buy you one.” He gave me 24 hours to decide if I was in for the entrepreneurial journey, or if I would quit my job and [original] dream at Gulfstream. I bought his beer!

Now it’s been almost six years since we’ve been in business. Getting to where we are today has required fundraising, multiple business model changes, and amazing customers that believe in our well-rounded team. Fundraising started with three non-dilutive methods: $15k grant from Startup Summer, $20k from friends and family, and $50k from winning the 2015 TAG Business Launch competition (we went all-in on this effort at the time). Then later, in 2015, we raised a Seed round of $450k led by David Cummings (Pardot, Atlanta Tech Village, Atlanta Ventures). In 2018 we also closed a Series A for $1.25M.

Our business model started simple, as hardware and software that would help vending operators run their routes more efficiently and merchandise better to increase top-line revenue. Our hardware, the Gimme Key, was plug-n-play for any vending machine and would communicate wirelessly with our software app. We gained many customers on this model and even landed a strategic partnership with a public company to accelerate sales. After learning from our fantastic customers over the years, we’ve expanded our platform to run the entire supply chain for operators — a complete food service management software. We’ve also launched our hardware in the direct-store delivery grocery space, and are developing video inventory counting of food & beverage products on shelves.

These three products are the pillars of Gimme today, and we’re excited to keep growing each!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh yea, there have been some significant obstacles throughout this ongoing adventure! Like when we removed our third co-founder (within six months of being a company), took a competitor to federal court to defend our hardware patent (which we won), and ended our strategic partnership with a public company after they acquired a direct competitor of ours (among other technical challenges). Also, our major product expansion took over a year longer to release than we anticipated. Phew.

There are a lot of details that go into each of the scenarios above. Still, the common denominator in the first three mentioned is people (not technical, like the product expansion delay). I think this has been the biggest underlying challenge in our business (and probably for many other startups): knowing who to work with. With any new hire, customer, integration, strategic partner, there’s a honeymoon phase, where first impressions are lovely, and everything looks good on paper. And for me, who’s super optimistic and patient, it can be hard to realize when things are working for Gimme and when things are off.

We’ve learned a lot over the years, and Cory and I trust our gut instincts more now. We also have plenty of examples of excellent hires, customers, and partners, so this prepares us to overcome these obstacles in the future too.

And since we’re innovating at such a rapid rate, we’re continually batting technical struggles. I don’t think this will end anytime soon 🙂

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Gimme – what should we know?
We build advanced software and hardware for food service automation. We operate three distinct revenue streams:
• Gimme VMS – food service management software that works on any device,
• Gimme DSD – the #1 wireless invoicing hardware for food service and grocery delivery, and
• Gimme AutoDrive – identify and count products using computer vision and AI.

We are known for bringing a modern software platform, infrastructure, and UI to an industry severely underserved by current technology providers. More easily identifiable is our patented hardware, the Gimme Key. It was the first Bluetooth Low Energy wireless device that was plug-n-play for any vending machine type, and the same device is now the #1 solution for grocery delivery routes too (different use cases). Also, our partners rave about our 365/24/7 support. We’ve made it our mission to provide immediate service no matter what date or time.

I’d say what I’m most proud of our team for is our motivation towards innovation (also proud of this alliteration!). We push the envelope on behalf of our customers and partners in this industry. We never sit still and are continually looking for ways to improve our team, product, and support. One thing that immediately sets us apart is our transparency in pricing. We aren’t the cheapest option, but you know what to expect upfront, hidden fees are the bane of our existence.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost, I give most of the credit to my best friend and business partner, Cory Hewett. The thing is, he was also my first mentor, especially throughout college. I wouldn’t be in this venture without his entrepreneurial spirit. And, his experience in marriage and having children are guiding my personal knowledge there — I’m even fortunate enough to be his son’s godfather!

Then, there’s my Mom and Dad. They were my emotional and financial backbone during the transition from college to entrepreneurship. Not only did they help with some expenses in the early years, but they also invested in our friends and family fundraising. They’re still my emotional backbone 🙂

Dan Hart was also a critical part of my journey with Gimme. He was the owner of Southern Refreshment Services, and our first customer. He took the leap in buying a brand new product, essentially incubated our company for the first 18 months, and spoke highly of our team to other operators in our industry. After he sold his business to Five Star Food Service, he’s stayed close to Cory and I as an advisor.

Finally, I want to shoutout my mentor Garrett Ellington. His customer experience knowledge is top-notch, and he’s taken active roles for our team at tradeshows, weekly meetings, among other events. His work ethic is impressive, and I’m consistently motivated by his actions.

And I want to thank every family member and friend who wears Gimme swag or follows and posts about us on social media. It means so much that people share that, and I love seeing it!

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