Truss is a company focused on partnering with U.S. companies to hire and manage software engineers in emerging global markets. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Truss co-founder Julia Collins to learn more.
Julia Collins’ Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Collins said:
“I studied Computer Science and started my career in Chicago doing Data Analytics consulting, where I focused on cloud migrations, helping companies move their on premises data infrastructure to the cloud. From there, I moved to New York City and joined a fast growing HR Tech startup as a Data Engineer. It was an exciting ride. The company was eventually acquired by ADP in 2018.”
“During the pandemic, I was approached with an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up: becoming the managing partner of an HR Tech startup. That’s how Truss was born, and I’ve been building it ever since.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Collins shared:
“In the early 2000s, there was a company called Dealerfire that was an automotive tech startup. At Dealerfire, there was an amazing team of developers from Uzbekistan who quickly became more than colleagues, they became family. Together we built not just software, but strong bonds across continents, celebrating milestones and supporting one another along the way.”
“When Dealerfire was acquired and that talented team was left without work, we knew we had to help our friends and colleagues. That’s how Truss was founded, with a simple goal to connect extraordinary talent from emerging markets with opportunities in the U.S. Some of those original developers are still with us today, a living reminder of where this journey began.”
“That experience taught us something powerful: the best talent isn’t always where you expect to find it. Truss exists to make it effortless for companies to access world-class talent in unexpected places, because sometimes the path you don’t plan for leads to exactly what you’ve been searching for.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Collins reflected:
“Last summer, I visited our team in Uzbekistan and we hiked to a waterfall. It was way more challenging than expected, with moments where I genuinely questioned if we’d make it. But when we all reached the top together, exhausted and exhilarated, it perfectly captured what our team is all about. The traditional Uzbek meal afterward was the perfect ending.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Collins explained:
“At Truss, our ‘product’ isn’t just software or a platform, it’s the bridge we’ve built between U.S. companies and world-class talent in emerging markets. It all started with one team in Uzbekistan, and today that network spans across countries like Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Georgia, where skilled developers are eager to contribute on a global stage.”
“What we offer is simple, but powerful: we make it effortless for companies to hire, manage, and pay top tech talent in emerging markets. From matching the right talent with your team’s unique goals to handling the day-to-day logistics of contracts and compliance, Truss takes the complexity out of global hiring so that your team can focus on scaling.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Collins noted:
“We’ve come a long way. When we started, we were primarily a service based company handling most processes manually. Now we’ve built a comprehensive platform from the ground up that powers the entire employee lifecycle. From the moment a customer signs on, our platform handles everything: seamless onboarding for both clients and their employees, AI powered candidate screening that dramatically speeds up hiring, and end to end global payroll management across multiple countries.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Collins cited:
“One of our proudest milestones came this year as we celebrated our fourth anniversary: reaching a community of more than 10,000 vetted, English-speaking tech candidates from emerging markets.”
“Each number represents not just a skilled professional eager to contribute, but also the growing trust companies place in Truss to connect them with world-class talent. With over 200 professionals from Central Asia now on payroll and thriving in roles with U.S. companies, we’re seeing our mission come to life in real time. And while we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we see this as just the beginning of an even bigger journey ahead.”
Customer Success Stories
Can you share any specific customer success stories? Collins highlighted:
“Infinity Machine and Engineering Corp., based in De Pere, faced a challenge familiar to many growing tech companies: they needed specialized skills that weren’t available in their local market. Expanding into new tech territories meant finding talent in places where it was scarce, and doing so without compromising on quality or fit.”
“That’s where Truss stepped in. By connecting Infinity with skilled professionals in untapped global markets, we were able to find candidates who perfectly aligned with the company’s technical needs and culture. The result was a team that became integral to Infinity’s growth and innovation.”
“As Crabb shared, ‘We definitely picked the right people. They are probably 90% of the product, those guys. I really rely on them to help evolve the product that we have today. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them. No doubt.’ For Infinity, and countless other companies we work with, tapping into global talent through Truss isn’t just a solution, it’s a game-changer.”
“Other companies we work with are Businessolver, Sunrun, Caret Legal and Evercommerce just to name a few.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Collins affirmed:
“In today’s crowded tech hiring landscape, risks are everywhere: ghost employees, resume fraud, or one person juggling three jobs. For companies competing in saturated markets, these challenges aren’t just rare, they’re growing.”
“That’s why Truss does things differently. We build teams in emerging markets and meet every candidate in person, taking the guesswork, and the risk, out of hiring. With over 20 years of experience building high-performing tech teams, we know how to spot talent that not only has the skills but also the drive to succeed.”
“Our platform now features more than 15,000 vetted, eager candidates, ready to make an impact. We don’t just connect you with talent, we hire, manage, and pay them in ways that align perfectly with your company’s goals, giving you confidence and transparency every step of the way.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Collins concluded:
“Looking ahead, we’re setting our sights on becoming the #1 platform for tech hiring in emerging markets. Our goal is to continue bridging opportunities, helping businesses in the U.S. scale with ease while creating meaningful careers for talented professionals across the region. By expanding our reach and deepening our impact, we’re building a future where companies and candidates alike can thrive together.”
