Diaspora NZ with David Booth 
About Xavier Collins
Xavier Collins is co-founder and chief executive of Wonder Studios, a London-based studio and creative agency that pairs AI tools with conventional film production. He started the company with filmmaker Justin Hackney in 2025. Its pre-seed round was led by LocalGlobe with Blackbird, and in October 2025 Atomico led a US$12 million seed round.
Before Wonder, Collins worked in marketplace businesses. He started as an intern at Uber, joined Deliveroo among its first 30 staff as a general manager scaling its UK business, and later led Turo in the UK as vice-president, helping take its European business from zero to more than $60 million. He also started Nexus Notes, a marketplace connecting note-takers with students.
On Diaspora NZ with David Booth, he talked about AI in creative work, building marketplaces and changes in film production.
- Talks about
- AI, Growth & Scaling, Product
In conversation.
1 episode
Diaspora NZ with David Booth Go straight to the good bits.
Key moments from S3 | E7 - Xavier Collins (CEO & Co-Founder at Wonder) on AI’s creative revolution, building thriving marketplaces, and reshaping the film industry.
- 2:49The Cannes moment: Realising AI will reshape filmmaking
- 7:18Using AI to rescue stories that wouldn’t otherwise be told
- 10:56The life-changing phone call that sent Xavier into startups
- 19:37Early lessons on marketplace liquidity from Deliveroo and Turo
- 25:52Price, selection, and service: The three pillars of marketplace success
- 32:16Services vs SaaS: Rethinking business models in the AI age
- 41:05Financing films 101: Inside Xavier’s other venture, Lumiere Ventures
- 48:26Xavier’s advice to young people: Lean into AI now
In their own words.
“I've kind of done my time as a mercenary and I'm excited to do my time as a missionary.”
The path so far.
- Now
Co-Founder & CEO · Wonder Studios
- Earlier · Scale-up
Vice President, Europe · Turo
- Earlier · Scale-up
General Manager, UK · Deliveroo
Sources: blackbird.vc
Wonder Studios on Day One
Wonder Studios is a London-based AI creative studio founded in 2025 by Justin Hackney and Xavier Collins.
1 person · 1 episode
Across the network.
Backers of Wonder Studios heard on Day One
In the room with
Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026
Be part of
the conversation.
Put your brand alongside the voices founders, investors and operators come to hear.
Explore sponsorshipProduced by W2D1 Media
Want a show of your own?
W2D1 Media — the team behind the Day One Network, which helped build Blackbird Ventures' Wild Hearts — builds and produces podcasts for funds, founders and operators. If you want a show built around your brand, let's talk.
