GoKawiilJulia Collins on lessons from co-founding unicorn Zume Pizza and building Planet FWD
Julia Collins, who became the first Black woman to co-found a unicorn company after Zume Pizza hit a $1 billion valuation in 2018, later left to launch Planet FWD, a platform helping brands track and cut their carbon footprint. In an interview, she reflected on her entrepreneurial upbringing, her early career as the first hire at food chain Mexicue, and her approach to leadership across the more than $500 million she has raised in venture capital.
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Collins' career illustrates how founders can pivot from consumer robotics into climate tech while carrying lessons about authenticity and leadership style across very different industries. Her visibility as a rare Black woman leader in the unicorn startup world also highlights ongoing gaps in access to venture capital for founders from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Collins co-founded Zume Pizza, which reached unicorn status in 2018.
- She now leads Planet FWD, a carbon-tracking platform for brands.
- She has raised over $500 million in venture funding and champions authentic leadership.
Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven — Zume tried to automate pizza with robots celebrate the low-tech version at home with the Ooni Koda 12, a portable gas-fired oven that gets scorching hot for fast, blistered, pizzeria-style pies. It's compact enough for a balcony or backyard and ready to cook in minutes, no venture capital required.
See Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: entrepreneur.com — Amanda Breen, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “The First Black Woman to Co-Found a Unicorn Startup Breaks Down Her Business Advice: ‘When I Tried to Be Less Nice I Sounded Ridiculous.’”
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