Julia Paino

Julia Paino is an investor and entrepreneur focused on supporting solutions that promote a more sustainable and equitable food system. Julia is currently a Founding Partner at Trofi Holdings and a Strategic Advisor to Desert Bloom Foods. Previously, Julia co-founded Branch Venture Group, a Boston-based syndicate that provides capital to early-stage companies in the food, beverage, and agtech space. Prior to co-founding Branch Venture Group, Julia joined as a Founding Venture Partner at NextGen Ventures, the first network- driven venture firm investing in innovative technology solutions. In addition to her work in venture capital, Julia founded Swoffle, a nationwide organic food company where she now serves on the board of directors. Through various philanthropic partnerships at Swoffle, the company provides over 8k healthy meals per month to those in need.

Julia has also been a part of several philanthropic initiatives including MIT Solve, Feeding America, MIT Enterprise Forum, and the Northeast Clean Energy Council. In addition to her philanthropic experience, Julia has been a mentor and judge for MassChallenge, CleanTech Open, and MIT. Julia has also been a featured speaker at The Federal Reserve Bank, Harvard University, Nexus Global Summit at the United Nations, among others. As an active member of NEXUS, Julia Co-Chairs the NEXUS Impact Investing Working Group.