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Linzon will share his experiences in a panel discussion, “Scaling UVA Startups: From Local to Legendary.” He will speak alongside Darden School of Business alumnus Matt Loftus, the co-founder of the activewear company Rhoback, and McIntire School alumnus David Roselle, the CEO of DoorList. While tickets to Linzon’s session are sold out, for other speakers.

The Founders Forum’s theme this year is “Human Connection in a Digital World.” To Linzon, human connection and community impact are two of his guiding pillars.

The idea for Roots started while Linzon was a student at the McIntire School. Originally wanting to pursue investment banking, he realized he preferred work that aligned with the impact he wanted to create in the UVA community. 

: Linzon, center, stands with his fellow graduates during �鶹�ƽ�� Final Exercises. He returns to Grounds this week to share his experiences with future entrepreneurs. (Contributed photo)

“I came back to UVA as a fourth-year and thought, ‘OK, what do I do next?’” he said. That’s when he noticed a lack of healthy, affordable food options for students. “I realized that it was easier to find pizza at 2 a.m. than it was to find spinach at 2 p.m. Charlottesville was a really health-oriented community, but there just weren’t many healthy options back then.”

Linzon then teamed up with classmates Alvaro Anspach, Alberto Namnum and Jung Kim to start Roots Natural Kitchen in 2015.

“We prioritized working on Roots over class a lot of the time ... most of my professors were okay with it,” he said. “We had spent months working on our idea, and on opening day, we had a line out the door. We were four recent grads, and it hit us, ‘Wow, people are trusting us with their health.’ That is a huge responsibility, and honestly, an honor,” Linzon said.

They quickly began expanding into other locations. Among them was the University of Delaware, where the competitive fast-casual food landscape allowed them to prove their concept. After that came Corner Juice, which Linzon co-founded in 2017 with UVA alumnus Julie Nolet and Kevin McConnell.

“Our mission is to spread good vibes, make healthy food more accessible, and create a welcoming space where people can connect. Your home away from home.” Linzon said.

Linzon, second from right, stands with his co-founders of Roots Natural Kitchen before its opening in 2015. While it took hard work to start the business, Linzon describes it as a formative part of his UVA experience. (Contributed photo)

Roots now has 20 locations across the United States, and Corner Juice has two. 

“UVA has been so crucial to our growth,” Linzon said. “At Roots, our first investor came from the Galant Challenge. Our CEO, Henry Borgeson, also went to McIntire. At Corner Juice, many of our menu items reference UVA, like ‘The Lawn,’ and ‘Beeta Bridge.’ We love this community so much and try to give back through regular partnerships with the UVA Hospital and several other local organizations that share our mission.”

Linzon, a Toronto native, has been formally recognized with accolades, including recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List and Canada’s Top 20 Under 20. Still, he defines his success by the impact he has made on people’s lives. “For me, the most rewarding thing is serving someone once, and seeing them come back the next day,” he said. 

Linzon said he is excited to be back at UVA for the Founders Forum and to engage with the University’s growing entrepreneurship community. “I love connecting with students. They open my mind, challenge my assumptions, and teach me so much,” he said. 

He is also excited to meet other founders.

“Being shoulder to shoulder with leaders in the industry, like Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, is incredible,” Linzon added.