Candid with Index: In Conversation with Robinhood's Vlad Tenev

After graduating from Stanford with a math degree during the 2008 financial crisis, Vlad Tenev faced a tough job market. Math skills weren’t in high demand, and he didn’t even get an interview at Google. But instead of feeling stuck, Vlad saw it as an opportunity. With no cushy career or job prospects to leave behind, entrepreneurship didn’t seem risky. It was a chance to create something meaningful from scratch.

Index partner Jan Hammer sat down with Vlad in our London office to discuss Robinhood’s journey, from launching as a commission-free trading platform to expanding into other financial services like credit cards. They explored how Vlad and his team challenged incumbents in a crowded market, designed products for a new generation of investors, and built a mission-driven company that Vlad is proud to say passes his “legacy test.”

Vlad also shared a few personal reflections on growing up as an immigrant in America, his decision to leave academia for entrepreneurship, and why he believes the best opportunities in fintech are still ahead.