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Annie Ryu

CEO & Founder at jack & annie's

Annie Ryu is the founder and CEO of jack & annie's and The Jackfruit Company, pioneering innovative plant-based food products using jackfruit.13 She founded the company in 2011 while working on a maternal and child healthcare program in India as a premedical student at Harvard.25

After graduating summa cum laude from Harvard College in 2013, Ryu left Harvard Medical School to focus on scaling her venture.15 Under her leadership, jack & annie's has become a top 5 brand in Frozen Plant-Based Meat, with products available in over 1,500 stores nationwide.34

Ryu has received numerous accolades for her entrepreneurial achievements, including:

  • Forbes 30 under 30 (2017)15
  • Top Women in Grocery (2019)15
  • Unreasonable Fellow (2019)15
  • Entrepreneur of the Year (Mountain West, 2022)1
  • Mindful CEO of the Year (2022)3

Her company has made significant social impact, working directly with thousands of small farmers in India and contributing 10-40% of their annual income.14 As of 2022, jack & annie's had closed a $23 million Series B funding round to support its continued expansion.4

Ryu's vision extends beyond creating delicious plant-based alternatives; she aims to transform the global food system for the benefit of people and the planet.4 Her LinkedIn username is annie-ryu-ab205a19.

Highlights

Feb 18 · linkedin

Couldn't be more excited for our national rollout with Smashburger! This partnership underlines the amazing taste and quality of our delicious, juicy, naturally meaty burgers. Made possible by jackfruit, our burger has 87% less saturated fat vs a beef burger. Let's make "plant-based" stand for better again. #food #leadership #taste #health #environment #sustainable

Jun 23 · linkedin

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 Mountain West Award winner, which recognizes contributions to create a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world for all. As an entrepreneur in the ever-growing plant-based category, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my vision for the sustainable future of food. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from jack & annie's this summer!

Related Questions

What inspired Annie Ryu to start jack & annie's?
How has Annie Ryu's work impacted small farmers in India?
What are some of the awards and recognitions Annie Ryu has received?
How does jack & annie's ensure the sustainability of its products?
What makes jackfruit a unique ingredient for plant-based meat alternatives?
Annie Ryu
Annie Ryu, photo 1
Annie Ryu, photo 2
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Location

Denver Metropolitan Area