Trends with Friends From Startup to Legend: Vlad Tenev & Howard Lindzon Recount Robinhood’s Rise
18 snips
May 6, 2025 
Vlad Tenev, co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, shares his insights on the company’s evolution from a startup to a fintech powerhouse. He discusses the pivotal moments in Robinhood’s journey, including the explosive growth after launching their waitlist and the tumultuous GameStop trading episode. Vlad reflects on the challenges of navigating regulations and raising funds, while revealing his passion for product innovation. With a focus on leadership dynamics and future opportunities in banking, this interview offers an inside look at the world of modern investing.
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Early Startup Pivot
- Vlad Tenev and co-founder Beju started with high-frequency trading software before pivoting to mobile-first commission-free investing.
- They spent almost two years building Robinhood’s waitlist before launching the product concept publicly.
Funding Regulatory Catch-22
- Early investors on AngelList included both institutional and unexpected individual angels.
- The hurdle was a catch-22: required funding to get regulatory approval, but investors hesitated without it.
Waitlist Validates Product-Market Fit
- Robinhood's waiting list launch quickly attracted massive demand, forcing a pivot away from social networking features.
- Their mobile-first commission-free trading app resonated immediately and scaled rapidly.