Elevator Pitch: Bridging the Gap

01 Jun 2024

Elevator Pitch: Bridging the Gap

Re: Anas Aljumaily (MBA 2017); Elian Pres-Gurwits (MBA 2017)

Topics: Entrepreneurship-General Operations-Logistics

01 Jun 2024

Elevator Pitch: Bridging the Gap

Re: Anas Aljumaily (MBA 2017); Elian Pres-Gurwits (MBA 2017)

Topics: Entrepreneurship-General Operations-Logistics

01 Jun 2024

Elevator Pitch: Bridging the Gap

Re: Anas Aljumaily (MBA 2017); Elian Pres-Gurwits (MBA 2017)

Topics: Entrepreneurship-General Operations-Logistics

Anas Aljumaily (MBA 2017)

Elian Pres-Gurwits (MBA 2018)
Cofounders, Gently

Concept: Focused on urban markets, Gently is a last-mile delivery service that uses predictive analytics, electric trucks, and “nano-fulfillment” centers to provide sustainable, affordable same-day delivery. Using online retailers’ data, Gently leverages AI to predict demand for inventory, placing it at its centers to meet anticipated demand.

The Why: Delivery in the United States is bifurcated between Amazon (two days) and other online retailers, 90 percent of which average five days for delivery, Aljumaily explains. Gently bridges the gap for that 90 percent, providing same-day shipping as a standard, rather than premium, option.

Heard:

“I like that we’re solving a massive problem,” Aljumaily says. “Right now we’re tiny but I can feel that we’re on the cusp of something that’s giant, frankly.”

“I like that we’re solving a massive problem,” Aljumaily says. “Right now we’re tiny but I can feel that we’re on the cusp of something that’s giant, frankly.”

Status Update: Gently made its first deliveries in Los Angeles in April 2023, with plans to expand to New York City and other urban markets, including Dallas, Chicago, and Miami. Backed by serial entrepreneurs Aljumaily (OneFour) and Pres-Gurwits (GlossyBox), Gently has not accepted outside capital to date.