Live Q&A with Sarah Kunst and Julia Collins

Julia Collins' Journey from Zume to Planet FWD

Julia Collins achieved a significant milestone as the first African American woman to co-found a unicorn company, Zume. This innovative firm combined robotic pizza cooking with simultaneous delivery services.

Zume's Rise and Subsequent Challenges

Zume garnered substantial investment, notably from SoftBank, and reached a valuation of $2.25 billion in 2019. Despite initial promise, the company ultimately failed to meet projected expectations.

Planet FWD: A New Venture

Collins has since embarked on a new entrepreneurial path with Planet FWD. This venture has successfully attracted funding from investors such as BBG Ventures, Emerson Capital, and Cleo Capital.

Extra Crunch Live Featuring Collins and Kunst

Today’s episode of Extra Crunch Live will feature a discussion with Collins and Sarah Kunst of Cleo Capital. The conversation will center on lessons learned from Zume and their application to Planet FWD.

Kunst’s investment focus on sustainability startups and her rationale for backing Collins will also be explored. Furthermore, the discussion will cover effective strategies for founders during pitch meetings, especially in a virtual setting.

Navigating Investor Relationships

The experts will also share insights on building productive relationships with investors and board members after securing funding.

Pitch Deck Teardown

As a standard feature of Extra Crunch Live, Kunst and Collins will provide live feedback on pitch decks submitted by audience members. Founders seeking expert critique can submit their decks for consideration here.

Changes to Access

Traditionally, Extra Crunch members have enjoyed complimentary access to Extra Crunch Live events, both live and on-demand. This remains unchanged.

However, a new option is being introduced: tickets will now be sold à la carte to the general public. This allows anyone to participate, ask questions, and benefit from the expertise of Collins and Kunst.

Event Details

The episode is scheduled to air today at 12pm PT/3pm ET and will last for one hour. Registration, which is free for Extra Crunch members, or ticket purchase can be completed via this link.

A comprehensive archive of past episodes is available here, and details regarding upcoming events can be found here.

Early Stage Event Announcement

Early Stage is a leading event designed to provide practical guidance for startup founders and investors. Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge from successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

Event Focus Areas

• Fundraising strategies
• Recruiting top talent
• Sales techniques
• Achieving product-market fit
• Public relations and marketing
• Brand development

Each session incorporates audience participation, allowing for questions and discussion. Use the code “TCARTICLE” at checkout to receive a 20% discount.