Zum CEO Ritu Narayan Recognized As Goldman Sachs Builders and Innovators Exceptional Entrepreneur of 2023
Zūm today announced Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum, has been recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2023.
When Narayan was school-aged, her mom left the workforce to ensure her kids could get to and from school safely and reliably. Not wanting to repeat the cycle with her kids, and wanting to ensure millions of working families didn’t have to choose between work and getting their kids to and from school safely, she founded Zum in 2015 to fix student transportation. An accomplished entrepreneur with 20 years of experience as a tech industry leader, Narayan has been recognized for her pioneering efforts across technology, transportation, education, sustainability and social justice and serves as a mentor to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“For more than a decade, the Builders and Innovators Summit has brought together a diverse and talented group of entrepreneurs who are making a mark on various industries through innovation,” Narayan said. “I am honored to be recognized for transforming the nation’s largest mass transit system, making school bus transportation to and from school safe, reliable, tech-enabled, and sustainable for families, drivers and school districts across the U.S.”
“We’re delighted to recognize Ritu Narayan as one of the most exceptional entrepreneurs of 2023,” said David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. “Like everyone in this year’s class, Ritu has been a visionary in her field, pushing forward innovation and redefining markets. We are excited to harness Goldman’s convening power to bring together these dynamic leaders and hear their insights.”
Zum has revolutionized the school transportation system – the nation’s largest mass transit system – enabling students to get to and from school safely, reliably, and sustainably. Its technology provides real-time transparency to parents, drivers, and administrators; optimized routes reduce commute times; and a transition from diesel to EV bus fleets improves the health of children, drivers and communities, while delivering energy back to the grid.
Zum currently serves thousands of schools and school districts in the U.S., including Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest school district; San Francisco; Oakland; Seattle; Spokane; San Bernardino; Howard County; and Nashville.