From a homeless teenager to transforming a trillion dollar industry - this is our story.
Hemut didn't start in an MBA classroom or Silicon Valley. It started with a 16yo running his own trucking company, who dreamed of something more.
Hemut
[Hemm-uht] noun - Origin: Punjabi
Hemut's name is a testament to its founding. Our company’s genesis was born out of years of struggle, hardship, and pure determination and perseverance by our founder. The same traits that allowed Cheema to rise from homelessness to a self-made millionaire at 19 are the same traits instilled in our company’s culture today, and the same traits we embody when serving our clients. Grit and perseverance—if Hemut is defined by anything, it is that.
Cheema's First Business
After a stint of homelessness in New York and Seattle following family hardship, Cheema moves to Fresno, California where he founds his first trucking company. He runs the whole operation: dispatching, managing drivers, and learning first hand how broken the industry really is.
A Serial Founder
During his years in Fresno, Cheema goes on to found three additional businesses: a grocery store, a restaurant, and a trading fund. All three go on to be successful and Cheema makes his first million before the age of 20— most of which, he ends up giving to friends and family
The Team Meets
In August 2023, Cheema enrolls at UCLA, where he meets fellow bruins Kaito Ikeda and Pranav Guda, and crosstown rival, Alex Kruchten. Over the course of their first two years, the group becomes close friends.
Hemut is Founded
After studying Computer Science, Cheema realizes how many problems he used to face as a trucking operator could be solved by modern software. He has a vision— a software system that makes the lives of people in the industry easier and gives money back to the driver. Set on his goal, he founds Hemut.
Y Combinator
Shortly after founding, Hemut is accepted into the prestigious startup accelerator, Y Combinator. The early team moves to San Francisco and gets to work.
Meiborg Brothers
Halfway through YC, Hemut lands its first major contract: a custom technology engagement with Meiborg Brothers— a large 3PL based out of Illinois and Texas. Shortly after, the team packs its bags and relocates to the client’s office. This sets the tone for Hemut’s long term service model: ultra forward deployment.
Founding Team Expands
After relocating to Illinois, Cheema, Alex, Pranav, and Kaito hire Hemut’s five founding engineers: Andrew, Avo, Fed, Sumedh, and Ashish. Hemut’s founding team is set.
Seed Round Closes
At the end of the Summer, Hemut closes its first round of investment. Over $1.8 million is raised at a $30 million valuation from top VCs like Y Combinator, Pioneer Fund, Sunset Ventures, and more.
Product Development & Expansion
During the Fall and Winter the team beds in and gets to work. Months are spent carefully designing, testing, and deploying Hemut’s flagship suite of solutions for the freight industry.
Launch to Market
In April of 2026, Hemut officially launches its services to the broader market. In just 1 month, a client pipeline of over $3 million is built, validating both Hemut’s products and unique service model.
