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Billionaire Profile
Vlad Tenev
Global Rank
#533

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Vlad Tenev

CEO, Robinhood
US
Real-Time Net Worth
$6.2B
As of December 2025
Age
38
Source
Stock trading app
Industry
finance-investments
Citizenship
US

Biography

Vlad Tenev is a Bulgarian-American entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, a financial technology company. Born in Bulgaria and raised in the United States, Tenev's career has been marked by his focus on democratizing finance. His wealth source is the stock trading app, Robinhood. Tenev's innovative approach has transformed the brokerage industry. He attended Stanford University where he earned a degree in Mathematics, followed by a Master's from UCLA. His achievements include the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 and Fortune 40 Under 40 lists. Most recently, he co-founded the AI startup Harmonic in 2023.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Vlad Tenev was born in Varna, Bulgaria, on February 13, 1987. At the age of five, he moved to the United States with his parents, who both worked for the World Bank. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Education

Tenev earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Stanford University. He also obtained a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Career

In 2010, Tenev and Baiju Bhatt founded Celeris, a high-frequency trading software company. They later closed Celeris, and formed Chronos Research, which sold low-latency software. In 2013, Tenev co-founded Robinhood, a commission-free trading platform, with Bhatt. Tenev served as co-CEO from 2013 to 2020, and became the sole CEO in November 2020. In 2023, he co-founded the artificial intelligence startup Harmonic.

Key Business Strategies

Robinhood's strategy focused on a mobile-first approach, commission-free trading, and ease of use to attract a younger demographic. The app launched in 2015, quickly gaining traction. The company went public in July 2021.

Philanthropy

Information regarding specific philanthropic amounts is not available in the provided search results.

Career Milestones

2010

Co-founded Celeris

A high-frequency trading software company.

2011

Co-founded Chronos Research

Sold low-latency software to trading firms.

2013

Co-founded Robinhood

A mobile trading platform.

2016

Forbes 30 Under 30

Recognized in the finance sector.

2020

Sole CEO of Robinhood

Became the sole CEO.

2023

Co-founded Harmonic

Co-founded an AI startup.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

N/A

Not Available

$XB

Philanthropic information not available.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

""We have a chance to prove to the world what we've believed all along...that crypto is much more than a speculative asset.”"

"Even as an entrepreneur, I think what drives me is just trying to understand how the world works.”"

Leadership Principles

Leading from the Front

Involves getting into the details and talking to individual contributors.

High Standards and Urgency

Maintaining high standards while increasing the pace of the company.

Controversies & Challenges

2021

GameStop Trading Restrictions

Robinhood faced scrutiny and regulatory challenges due to restrictions on trading GameStop stock during the short squeeze.