Vladimir Tenev

Vlad Tenev is the Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Robinhood Markets, a pioneering fintech company that has revolutionized retail investing. As of November 2020, Tenev has also served as Chair of Robinhood’s Board of Directors, helping steer the company’s vision to democratize finance for all.

Early Life and Education

Born in Bulgaria and raised in the United States, Vlad Tenev demonstrated a strong aptitude for mathematics early in life. He pursued higher education at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He furthered his academic journey at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a Master of Science in Mathematics.

Early Career and Entrepreneurial Drive

Before launching Robinhood, Tenev co-founded two finance companies in New York City focused on building trading infrastructure for financial institutions. These early ventures gave him a deep understanding of financial markets and the inefficiencies that kept retail investors at a disadvantage. This experience laid the foundation for what would become his most impactful venture.

Founding Robinhood

In 2013, Tenev partnered with longtime friend and Stanford classmate Baiju Bhatt to found Robinhood Markets. Their goal was ambitious: to democratize finance for all by eliminating trading fees and making financial markets more accessible to everyday investors. From its official launch in 2015, Robinhood quickly attracted millions of users, particularly younger investors drawn to its mobile-first interface and zero-commission trading model.

From 2013 to November 2020, Tenev served as Co-CEO and Co-President alongside Bhatt. In late 2020, he transitioned into the sole CEO and President roles, assuming full executive leadership of the company. As Chair of the Board of Directors, Tenev plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s long-term strategy and governance.

Leadership and Legacy

Under Tenev’s leadership, Robinhood has grown into one of the most prominent retail trading platforms in the United States. The platform now offers a broad range of services, including stock and ETF trading, cryptocurrency trading, and retirement savings plans. Tenev has been at the center of the platform’s rapid expansion, spearheading innovations aimed at empowering individual investors with tools previously available only to institutional traders.

Vision for the Future

As CEO, Tenev continues to focus on expanding Robinhood’s reach, improving financial education, and developing new products to support long-term investing. His vision is rooted in inclusivity, with a belief that access to the financial system should not be limited by income or experience.

Conclusion

Vlad Tenev’s journey from mathematician to fintech innovator underscores his commitment to reshaping financial access. Through Robinhood, he has become a leading voice in the movement to make markets more equitable and accessible, impacting millions of users and transforming the brokerage industry in the process.

• Robinhood Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
• Harmonic Co-Founder and Executive Chairman