Tom Zhang

Tom (Xinyuan) Zhang is the Co-Founder and CEO of Zenblen, a startup focused on creating a robotic smoothie bar that offers healthy, nutritionist-curated smoothies. He has held this position since August 2018, after recognizing a gap in the market for convenient and healthy smoothie options while working as a strategy consultant.12

Background and Education

Zhang graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2016. His early career included roles at Stax Inc., where he worked as a Senior Associate, leveraging big data for market insights, and at Blackford Capital as a Private Equity Analyst.12

Zenblen's Mission and Development

Under Zhang's leadership, Zenblen aims to make healthy eating more accessible by partnering with high-traffic locations such as gyms and residential buildings. The company has participated in top startup accelerators and has been recognized for its innovative approach to health and wellness.2 Zhang's personal passion for smoothies—having been dubbed "the smoothie guy" in his previous office—led him to start initiatives like "Smoothie Fridays" to encourage healthier routines among colleagues.2

Responsibilities and Vision

As CEO, Zhang focuses on hiring talent, securing funding, and aligning the strategic direction of Zenblen. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong team and leveraging expert knowledge to enhance product offerings.12 The company is currently in its seed funding round and is actively seeking partnerships to further its mission in the health food sector.2

Personal Insights

Zhang is fluent in English and Chinese, with limited proficiency in French. His entrepreneurial journey has been supported by resources from mHUB, a community for innovators in Chicago, where he has utilized mentorship and educational opportunities to grow Zenblen.2

For more information about Tom (Xinyuan) Zhang, you can view his LinkedIn profile here.