Born in 1984, Baiju Prafulkumar Bhatt is an American entrepreneur, co-founder of the investment giant Robinhood, and a pioneer of the zero-commission trading revolution. He is the son of Indian immigrants; his father was a physics professor, instilling in Baiju a strong foundation in science and quantitative thinking. Growing up, he struggled with feeling like an outsider and, as an overweight kid, turned to running as a way to gain mental toughness and control over his life—a discipline he credits for his resilience as a founder.

Bhatt pursued his education at Stanford University, where he graduated and met his future co-founder, Vlad Tenev. Their relationship began with a shared interest in algorithmic trading. This unique background—the quantitative rigor of physics combined with the grit developed through intense physical discipline—equipped him perfectly for a high-stakes, disruptive career in fintech.

Baiju Bhatt's entrepreneurial journey began with an attempt to commercialize his quantitative skills. After graduating from Stanford, he and Vlad Tenev started a series of algorithmic trading companies and hedge funds serving institutional clients. However, they realized a crucial flaw in the system: while institutional traders could execute trades for free or very little, everyday retail investors were charged up to $10 for every trade.

In 2013, they founded Robinhood, with the mission to democratize finance by offering zero-commission trading via a user-friendly mobile app. The idea was initially rejected by hundreds of potential investors, but the founders' belief in their disruptive vision was unwavering. Robinhood became a cultural phenomenon and quickly scaled to millions of users, fundamentally reshaping the retail brokerage industry and reaching a peak valuation of over $40 billion. This success secured Bhatt's multi-billion dollar fortune, cementing his legacy as a fintech revolutionary.

Baiju Bhatt’s social impact is massive and structural: the democratization of finance through zero-commission trading, which has provided millions of young and first-time investors with access to the financial markets. This has been a huge driver of financial inclusion in the U.S.

His personal philanthropy is channeled into the science and technology sectors, particularly through his new venture, Aetherflux. This commitment to space solar energy is a multi-billion dollar bet on sustainable clean energy for the future, a massive structural contribution to global climate goals. His personal story—using running to gain mental toughness and pushing through hundreds of rejections—is a powerful inspiration for founders globally, embodying the grit required for high-stakes disruption.

Baiju Bhatt maintains the distinctly modern, Bay Area tech aesthetic of a young disruptor. His attire is consistently casual, featuring high-quality shirts, simple trousers, and premium sneakers, reflecting his focus on product and innovation. His style is confident and unpretentious, reflecting the anti-establishment ethos of Robinhood.

His lifestyle is centered on the intersection of technology and physical discipline. He is an avid runner, using movement to stay grounded while managing high-stakes ventures. His wealth affords him the luxury of financing ambitious 'moonshot' projects like Aetherflux, dedicated to clean energy from space. His life is defined by a relentless drive to challenge the status quo, both in finance and in science.