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Based in Dixons Mills, Alabama, Gently manufactures and distributes botanical-rich bar soaps and bath products formulated specifically for consumers managing sensitive skin and eczema conditions. The company operates primarily through a direct-to-consumer business model, providing specialized skincare solutions that utilize clinically validated plant ingredients while strictly excluding essential oils, synthetic additives, and toxic chemicals. To fund its continued growth and operational scaling, Gently recently secured a $75,000 first-place prize at the Tulane Business Model Competition in March 2024. The enterprise is currently pursuing broader retail expansion strategies across the United States, which includes securing a Fast Pass victory at the Russell Innovation Center to facilitate early distribution discussions with major corporate retailers like Walmart. Gently was officially launched in 2020 by Kristen Dunning, a plant scientist and University of Georgia graduate student who developed the initial proprietary recipes.
Gently has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round.
Gently has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Gently has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Gently's investors include Background Capital, BigSpring, InReach Ventures, LAUNCH, Pantera Capital, Pareto Holdings, Quiet Capital, Uncorrelated Ventures, Y Combinator, Arash Ferdowsi, Bobby Lo, Brendan O'Driscoll.
Gently has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Seed in September 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2022 | $2M Seed | — | Background Capital, Bigspring, InReach Ventures, LAUNCH, Pantera Capital, Pareto Holdings, Quiet Capital, Uncorrelated Ventures, Y Combinator, Arash Ferdowsi, Bobby LO, Brendan O'driscoll, Gabriel Jarrosson, JOE Greenstein, Kunal Shah, Loreanne Garcia, Mike Krieger, Nate Matherson, Samvit Ramadurgam, Saturnin Pugnet, Vishal RAO, Austen Allred, Dorm Room Fund, JON Oringer, Peter Rahal, V1.VC | Announced |
Gently is an AI-powered logistics startup revolutionizing e-commerce with same-day delivery services for retailers and brands, focusing on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).[1][2][4] It partners with retailers to store inventory in local nano-fulfillment centers, using predictive AI to optimize demand forecasting, routing, and last-mile delivery, solving inefficiencies in centralized supply chains dominated by tech giants like Amazon.[1][3][5] This enables faster, sustainable shipping at a flat $6 per package rate, with 99% on-time delivery, 94% customer preference over competitors, a 99 Net Promoter Score, and 100% merchant retention.[2][4]
Launched in Los Angeles in April 2023, Gently emphasizes decentralization by empowering local operators to own and run nano-centers, cutting emissions via 100% EV fleets, optimized routes, and zero-waste compostable packaging made from corn.[1][2][3][5] It serves retailers seeking independence from legacy carriers, boosting their growth through data-driven insights without sacrificing sales data.[3][5]
Gently was co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Anas Aljumaily and Elian Pres-Gurwits, Harvard Business School classmates who bonded over frustrations with the antiquated U.S. supply chain as business owners themselves.[1][2][3] Recognizing how e-commerce giants and legacy delivery firms disenfranchised SMBs—99.9% of U.S. businesses—they launched Gently in April 2023 to decentralize logistics and level the playing field.[1][3][5]
The idea emerged from identifying pitfalls like long delivery times and data exploitation; their solution uses AI for predictive stocking in community-based nano-centers.[1][3] Pivotal early traction came with the first delivery in West Los Angeles, starting with three drivers, one fixed and one mobile center, and plans to scale to 10 drivers and four centers by May 2023.[1][3]
Gently rides the decentralized supply chain trend, accelerated by e-commerce growth (projected $1T+ logistics market by 2030), net-zero mandates, natural disasters, and consumer demand for same-day delivery.[5] Its timing aligns with SMB backlash against Amazon-like dominance, enabling 99.9% of U.S. businesses to compete via AI-optimized local networks rather than depreciating assets like trucks.[1][3][5]
Market forces like rising EV adoption and sustainability pressures favor its model, reducing last-mile emissions (often 50%+ of supply chain carbon).[2][5] By empowering local operators and retailers with data sovereignty, Gently influences the ecosystem toward resilient, community-driven logistics, potentially scaling to a fully decentralized U.S. supply chain by 2040.[1][3][5]
Gently's rapid post-launch expansion—adding hires, partners, and centers beyond LA—positions it for national scaling, targeting more nano-fulfillment sites and infrastructure to capture SMB e-commerce demand.[1][3][5] Trends like AI advancements in predictive logistics, stricter emissions regulations, and same-day delivery as the new standard will propel growth, especially as consumers prioritize speed and sustainability.[2][4][5]
Its influence may evolve by inspiring a wave of decentralized platforms, further eroding centralized giants' control and unlocking SMB opportunities. As Gently decentralizes one nano-center at a time, it promises to transform logistics from a barrier into a growth engine for retailers.[1][5]
