The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 20VC: Robinhood Founder Vlad Tenev on The Single Most Important Thing Leadership is Responsible For, How To Manage Fear and Self-Doubt as a Leader & The Future of Fintech; Bundled or Unbundled
Nov 30, 2020
Vlad Tenev, Co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, shares his inspiring journey from Bulgaria to launching a leading fintech platform. He discusses the evolution of his leadership style, emphasizing the importance of company tempo and managing fear and self-doubt. Tenev also reveals insights on recruiting top talent, advocating for mentorship, and entrusting young team members with responsibility. He dives into the current fintech landscape, debating bundling vs. unbundling, and outlines his vision for democratizing finance over the next five years.
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Robinhood's Origin
- Vlad Tenev and Baiju Bhatt met at Stanford, studying physics, and graduated during the 2008 financial crisis.
- Inspired by Occupy Wall Street and the rise of mobile, they founded Robinhood to democratize investing.
Formative Experiences
- Vlad Tenev's family moved from Bulgaria to the US shortly before the Bulgarian economy collapsed.
- This experience gave him a deep appreciation for democracy, capitalism, and the transformative power of innovation.
Risk and Reward
- Vlad Tenev felt starting a business right after college was not very risky.
- He had little to lose financially as a math PhD student and was used to enduring years of difficulty with a low salary.
