Julia Collins

Julia Collins is a prominent food tech entrepreneur known for her innovative contributions to the industry. She is the co-founder of Zume Pizza, a pioneering company that integrates robotics and automation into the pizza-making process. Under her leadership, Zume Pizza became notable for its unique approach to food delivery, utilizing a patented cooking-on-the-go technology that ensures pizzas arrive fresh and flavorful. In 2018, Zume Pizza was valued at $2.25 billion, making Collins the first Black woman to co-found a unicorn company.13

Early Life and Education

Born in San Francisco, California, Collins graduated from Harvard University in 2001 with a degree in Government. She later earned her MBA from Stanford University in 2009.2

Career Highlights

Before founding Zume Pizza in 2015, Collins gained experience in the restaurant industry, co-founding Mexicue, a fast-casual restaurant chain, and serving in various roles including Director of Restaurant Development at Murray's Cheese and Vice President at Harlem Jazz Enterprises.14

In addition to her work with Zume, Collins founded Planet FWD in 2019, a company focused on sustainability in the food industry. Planet FWD aims to help brands understand and reduce their carbon footprints, and it launched the climate-friendly snack brand Moonshot Snacks.246

Advocacy and Impact

Collins is also an active advocate for diversity in entrepreneurship, serving on several boards and as an angel investor focused on funding women and BIPOC entrepreneurs. Her work reflects a commitment to not only advancing technology in food production but also addressing climate change through sustainable practices.35

Julia Collins continues to be a significant figure in the intersection of food technology and sustainability, driving initiatives that aim to make healthy food accessible while protecting the environment.