Early Life
Baiju Bhatt was born in 1984/1985 to Gujarati immigrants in the United States. His parents moved to the U.S. after his father was accepted into a PhD program. Bhatt grew up in Poquoson, Virginia. His father's struggles with kidney failure and the resulting financial hardships significantly influenced Bhatt's life and instilled in him a strong belief in education as a means of self-improvement.
Rise to Success
Bhatt attended Stanford University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in Mathematics in 2008. It was during his time at Stanford that he met Vlad Tenev, with whom he would later co-found Robinhood. Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, Bhatt and Tenev aimed to democratize finance by creating a commission-free trading platform. Robinhood launched in 2013 and quickly gained popularity, transforming the brokerage industry and making investing accessible to millions.
Key Business Strategies
The core strategy behind Robinhood's success was its commission-free trading model, which attracted a large user base, particularly among younger investors. Bhatt focused on user experience and design, making the platform simple and user-friendly. Robinhood's rapid growth led to a $32 billion valuation upon its public debut in 2021. Bhatt's continued stake in the company contributed significantly to his wealth. In 2024, Bhatt stepped back from day-to-day executive duties but remains on Robinhood's board.
Philanthropy
Specific philanthropy amounts could not be found, however, Bhatt is known to be a philanthropist.
