

Max Levchin
Ukrainian-American software engineer and entrepreneur. Co-founded PayPal and later founded Affirm.
Top 10 podcasts with Max Levchin
Ranked by the Snipd community

287 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
20VC: Affirm Max Levchin on Why Grading Talent by Letter (A or B) is Total BS | How to Create a Culture of Post Mortems and Writing | Why You Should Only Study Failure Not Success & The Biggest Surprises Scaling to $18.7BN Market Cap
Max Levchin, the visionary behind Affirm and co-founder of PayPal, shares his insights on hiring top talent and managing extreme personalities. He challenges the traditional talent grading system, arguing it's outdated. Levchin also underscores the importance of learning from failure over success and advocates for a robust writing culture within companies. He discusses creating transparent post-mortems to foster continuous improvement and how to navigate the competitive landscape of the 'buy now, pay later' market.

114 snips
Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 24min
PayPal: Max Levchin (June 2022)
Max Levchin, co-founder of PayPal and founder of Affirm, shares his journey from Soviet Ukraine to Silicon Valley's tech scene. He discusses the formation of PayPal with notable figures like Elon Musk and the challenges they faced, including Musk's ouster as CEO. Levchin reflects on the intense work culture and pivotal moments in the company's rapid growth, driven by innovation. His transition to entrepreneurship after PayPal's acquisition by eBay showcases his relentless drive to create impactful fintech solutions.

41 snips
Sep 7, 2023 • 47min
PayPal ft. Max Levchin - A merger of enemies that reshaped Silicon Valley
Max Levchin, Co-founder of PayPal, discusses the challenges of navigating early inflection points and battling fraud in the fledgling business. Topics include the rivalry with X.com, intense competition and paranoia, leadership changes, fighting fraud with CAPTCHA, and the long-lasting impact of PayPal's fraud-fighting tools.

31 snips
Jun 13, 2022 • 1h 28min
PayPal: Max Levchin (Part 1 of 2)
Max Levchin, co-founder of PayPal and Affirm, shares his fascinating journey from Soviet Ukraine to Silicon Valley. He discusses transforming a simple idea into PayPal, the fierce competition in the tech landscape, and the emotional upheaval of witnessing Elon Musk's ousting as CEO. Levchin reveals the startup challenges they faced, such as fundraising and user adoption, while navigating the dynamic culture of the 'PayPal Mafia.' The conversation delves into the origins of his entrepreneurial spirit and the pivotal moments that shaped the future of online payments.

26 snips
Feb 27, 2024 • 48min
🎧The Fintech OG Series: Max Levchin and Jackie Reses
In this podcast, Max Levchin and Jackie Reses shared their journey in fintech, discussing personal challenges and future innovations. They touched on algorithmic lending, Square's impact, and global money movement. The episode also included insights on starting a fertility tech company and staying active by cycling during lockdown.

25 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 2h 57min
Pop Mart: The History & Economics | Max Levchin, Jim Belosic
Max Levchin, the Ukrainian-American tech pioneer who co-founded PayPal and later launched Affirm, shares valuable insights on the evolving landscape of consumer lending, reflecting on a 43% growth at Affirm. Jim Belosic, CEO of SendCutSend, discusses how he's scaled a rapid manufacturing company to 350 employees without venture capital, merging software with manufacturing. They dive into the impact of social media on collectibles, the economics behind Pop Mart's mystery boxes, and the changing dynamics in the toy industry, driven by innovative marketing and consumer behavior.

23 snips
Jun 20, 2022 • 58min
Affirm: Max Levchin (Part 2 of 2)
Max Levchin, an entrepreneur and fintech pioneer known for co-founding PayPal and launching Affirm, shares his journey of rediscovery after leaving PayPal. He candidly discusses the struggles he faced in finding purpose post-success and the motivation behind creating solutions for credit challenges. Maximizing innovation, he highlights the transformative power of Buy Now, Pay Later services over traditional models, democratizing access to credit. Levchin also reflects on the balance of luck and hard work in navigating the evolving financial landscape.

4 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 18min
Business Daily meets: Max Levchin
Max Levchin, co-founder of PayPal and founder of Affirm, shares his entrepreneurial journey from tech pioneer to fintech innovator. He recounts a humbling moment when a poor credit score forced an all-cash car purchase, sparking his drive for change. Levchin delves into the inadequacies of traditional credit scores and the emotional rollercoaster of PayPal's meteoric rise. He emphasizes the mission behind Affirm, aiming to create inclusive financial solutions that prioritize consumer well-being amidst evolving regulatory landscapes.

Jul 8, 2024 • 54min
Smart Humans: Affirm's Max Levchin on entrepreneurship, angel investing, and the future of finance
Max Levchin, founder of Affirm and PayPal, shares insights on entrepreneurship, angel investing, and the future of finance. Topics include challenges in raising money, reflections on cryptocurrency, importance of yield-oriented assets, innovative credit solutions, complexities of lending, and the evolution of companies like PayPal and Affirm.

Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 28min
Bloomberg Businessweek Weekend - September 5th, 2025
Cheryl McKissick-Daniel, CEO of a historic construction firm, shares inspiring tales of her family's legacy and their pivotal projects. Rick Caruso, real estate mogul and former LA mayoral candidate, discusses urban development trends. Max Levchin, CEO of Affirm, explores the Buy Now, Pay Later revolution and its impact on consumer habits. Ted Leonsis delves into the synergy of sports and technology in enhancing fan engagement, while Derek Sprague outlines the PGA's innovative efforts to grow golf's appeal. Together, they highlight resilience in business and community.