The Power of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship
Successful founder stories are a treasure trove of information and inspiration for new and aspiring early-stage founders. They provide valuable insights into the challenges of navigating the complex startup landscape, highlighting the triumphs and tribulations that often accompany innovation and risk-taking.
In this article, we will delve into the remarkable story of Henrique Dubugras, founder and co-CEO of Brex, a financial services company that has disrupted traditional payment processing systems. We’ll explore how Dubugras’ entrepreneurial journey, which began at age 12, culminated in the creation of Brex and his latest ventures.
Henrique Dubugras: A Serial Entrepreneur
At just 16 years old, Dubugras founded payments company Pagar.me, which quickly gained traction and processed $1.5 billion in transactions within three years. In 2016, he sold Pagar.me and enrolled at Stanford University, but only for eight months before leaving to pursue his next venture: Brex.
The Birth of Brex
Founded in 2017, Brex aimed to provide corporate credit cards to startups, addressing a significant pain point in the financial industry. Within five years, Brex had evolved into a comprehensive financial operating system, offering business cash accounts, spend management software, and bill pay solutions for companies of all sizes.
A Meteoric Rise
Brex’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable:
- In January 2022, the company raised $300 million in a Series D-2 round, increasing its valuation to an impressive $12.3 billion.
- In April 2022, Brex acquired Pry Financials, a financial planning software startup backed by Y Combinator, for $90 million.
We are thrilled to announce that Henrique Dubugras and Anu Hariharan, managing director and partner at Y Combinator, will join us for a fireside chat at TechCrunch Disrupt on October 18-20 in San Francisco. This is an opportunity to gain insights into the story behind Brex’s success, exploring what it took to build this fintech giant from scratch.
The Investor Perspective
Anu Hariharan has been instrumental in guiding Brex’s growth. As managing director and partner at Y Combinator, she led investments in numerous successful startups, including Boom, Convoy, Faire, Groww, Gusto, Instacart, Monzo, Rappi, RevenueCat, Snapdocs, Vouch, and Whatnot.
Prior to her tenure at Y Combinator, Hariharan was a partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), focusing on consumer internet growth investments. She worked closely with the management teams of portfolio companies such as Airbnb, Instacart, Medium, OfferUp, and Udacity.
The Brex Story: A Journey Worth Telling
Dubugras’ journey is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and calculated risk-taking. His ability to identify and solve problems in the financial industry has enabled Brex to disrupt traditional payment processing systems.
At TechCrunch Disrupt, we’ll delve into the story behind Brex’s success, highlighting what it took to build this fintech giant from scratch. With both the founder and investor perspectives represented, this fireside chat will provide valuable insights for new and aspiring early-stage founders.
Join the Conversation
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from one of the most successful startups in recent history. Join us at TechCrunch Disrupt on October 18-20 in San Francisco, where we’ll explore the triumphs and challenges that have shaped Brex into a leading fintech company.
Early Bird Discounts Available
TechCrunch Disrupt is back in person, offering a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and innovators. Don’t miss out on early bird discounts available for attendees who register before September 30th.
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