The CEO and co-founder of Atlanta startup Gimme Vending Inc. is stepping down.
After eight years in the role, Cory Hewett is making way for his “best friend” and co-founder Evan Jarecki to take over the chief executive position, according to a LinkedIn post.
Hewett will stay until the end of June to help with the transition.
Gimme helps companies that deliver perishable groceries and vending machine snacks manage their inventory and delivery routes.
Hewett and Jarecki, both Georgia Tech graduates who met at Gulfstream Aerospace, founded Gimme in 2014 and have continued to grow the company together. The startup now has more than 50,000 vending machines connected to its platform, Hewett said.
Hewett is leaving to pursue opportunities in “electrification initiatives, emerging tech (like AI and computer vision) and community development,” he said in the post.
Jarecki is known for his industry contacts, according to the leadership transition announcement. He is also the board president of Startup Atlanta, a nonprofit that supports the local innovation ecosystem.
Gimme is backed by David Cummings, a prolific entrepreneur and investor who founded the Atlanta Tech Village incubator. It also has support from the Georgia Research Alliance. Gimme has secured at least $2.5 million.
Atlanta Inno named it one of its 2021 Fire Awards finalists.
