Julie Wainwright is perhaps one of the best known women entrepreneurs and leaders in e-commerce. She’s preparing to bring what she’s learned to a fireside chat at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Wainwright is a trailblazer who has carved out her own path. She’s emerged on top after each major technology revolution, from the rise of personal computing to the era of personalized wellness.
Wainwright, founder and former CEO of The RealReal, made history when she took the company public in 2019. At the time, this landmark accomplishment made her one of only three females to ever achieve such a historic milestone. Her experience and expertise provide a unique perspective to the conversation around growing strong entrepreneurs. More broadly, they shed light on the shifting narrative of technology in business.
A Masterclass in Adaptation
Wainwright’s career firmly establishes her as one of the best at riding waves before they’ve even broken. Most importantly, she has successfully navigated firms through extraordinary technological leaps, from the evolution of online video and e-commerce. Her undisputable drive and visionary eye have kept her at the forefront of market trends and thriving for more than 50 years.
Her newest project, Ahara, is a shining example of her cutting edge vision. As a personalized nutrition platform and a Holistic Health Venture Studio company, Ahara strives to change how people think about and experience their diet and lifestyle. With this implementation, Wainwright once again seeks to test the limits and subvert the status quo in the industry of health and wellness.
Recognitions and Accomplishments
Julie Wainwright’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, she was honored with the Distinguished Silicon Valley Visionary Award, celebrating her entrepreneurial vision and transformational leadership in San Francisco’s tech community. On top of everything, she was then put on the cover of Forbes magazine, where her story inspired a whole class of new entrepreneurs.
Wainwright’s impact continues to soar, as she was named to the inaugural Forbes 50 Over 50 list. This honorary award highlights leaders leaving a legacy through extraordinary achievement later in their career. These honors highlight her commitment to empowering others and creating change across sectors.
Looking Ahead: The Armchair Entrepreneurs Podcast
In 2025, she hopes to introduce a new podcast called The Armchair Entrepreneurs. This platform provides priceless mentorship to the next generation of founders. It reflects her decades of deep experience in the field. The goals of the podcast are to inspire and educate young entrepreneurs as they begin their own journeys.
She’s going to tell her story and provide some great lessons learned to motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Her wonderful and unusual insights are sure to give attendees a look at what the future holds for entrepreneurship.