Julia Collins has deep entrepreneurial roots, stemming from a family with a legacy in real estate, dental practices, and produce supply chains. Growing up in San Francisco within this environment gave her an early appreciation for business and innovation, which later influenced her career trajectory. Collins’ interest in agriculture and food industries connects to her family’s long-standing involvement in these sectors, including C.H. James Produce, one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the U.S.

Collins made a significant impact in the food tech space with her 2015 startup, Zume Pizza, a company that sought to combine technology with sustainable food production. Zume innovated by developing a patented cooking-en-route system, which delivered fresh, healthier pizzas without additives. The company also introduced the Pizza Pod, the first fully compostable pizza package, reflecting Collins’ commitment to reducing environmental waste. Zume’s adoption of robotics to streamline kitchen labor underscored its role as a pioneer in tech-driven food manufacturing.

In 2018, Zume Pizza raised an impressive $375 million funding round led by SoftBank, pushing its valuation beyond $1 billion and making Collins the first Black woman to co-found a unicorn company. Despite this success, Collins chose to step down as co-CEO and board member to focus on work with a stronger impact orientation, especially after becoming a mother. She noted the pressures and conflicts associated with managing large capital investments, which influenced her decision to pivot toward new ventures.

Following Zume, Collins launched Planet FWD, a sustainability intelligence platform aimed at food, fashion, and beauty companies responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Now in its eighth year, Planet FWD measures environmental impacts like water usage, air quality, and carbon emissions for these industries. Collins has raised $25 million for the venture, deliberately partnering with diverse investors to ensure broad representation on her cap table and board, reflecting a more intentional and inclusive approach to capital raising.