Pattern Breakers Zach Perret: The Survival Story of a Fintech Giant
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Feb 25, 2025 
Zach Perret, Co-founder and CEO of Plaid—a fintech innovation leader—shares his journey from facing rejection by nearly 100 VCs to transforming financial data movement online. He discusses the challenges of navigating resistance within the banking industry and the pivotal role of lighthouse customers in refining Plaid’s services. Perret emphasizes the importance of resilience, collaboration, and leveraging feedback to drive success in the ever-evolving fintech landscape.
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Don't Die
- To survive a startup, keep showing up and moving forward every day.
- Startup death is a choice; it happens when you give up, not when things get tough.
Early Struggles and Missed Opportunities
- Plaid's co-founders Zach Perret and William Hockey initially struggled, facing over 100 VC rejections during their seed round.
- Mike Maples Jr. admitted to missing out on Plaid's initial pitch.
Unconventional Path to Fintech
- Zach Perret's path to financial services was not direct; his background was in science and consulting.
- A friend suggested business as a career, leading Perret to startups and eventually co-founding Plaid.