# Al Goldstein

> Al Goldstein is a Chicago-based entrepreneur, co-founder and executive chairman and CEO of Avant, and co-founder, chairman and CEO of StoicLane. He previously co-founded and led CashNetUSA, the business that became Enova International, and co-founded Pangea Properties and Amount. His family arrived in the United States as refugees from Uzbekistan in 1988.

- **Role:** Co-Founder, Executive Chairman & CEO at Avant; Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO at StoicLane
- **Organizations:** Avant, StoicLane, CashNetUSA, Enova International, Pangea Properties, Amount, Deutsche Bank, Spring Labs, Forged in America, Founders Pledge
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Finance; minor in Mathematics; high honors, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
- **Known for:** Co-founded CashNetUSA and led it through its acquisition by Cash America., Co-founded Avant and banking technology business Amount., Recipient of the Ernst & Young Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year award twice, according to his Kennedy Human Rights Center biography.

## Career timeline

- **1988** — Arrived in the United States at age eight with his family as refugees from Uzbekistan; settled in Chicago.
- **2002** — Graduated from the University of Illinois with a finance degree; began his career at Deutsche Bank.
- **2004** — Co-founded CashNetUSA with his brother Alexander and served as president and CEO.
- **2006** — Cash America acquired CashNetUSA in September.
- **2008** — Left active management of Cash America’s internet services division effective October 1.
- **2008–2009** — Co-founded Pangea Properties; began acquiring Chicago apartments in 2009.
- **2012** — Co-founded Avant with John Sun and Paul Zhang.
- **2020** — Amount spun out of Avant in February; Goldstein became executive chairman of both companies.
- **2021** — Co-founded StoicLane.
- **2025** — Returned to Avant’s CEO role; FIS completed the acquisition of Amount on September 24.
- **2026** — Avant applied to establish Avant Bank, N.A.; Goldstein continued co-hosting Forged in America with Ravin Gandhi.

## Achievements

- Co-founded CashNetUSA and led it through its acquisition by Cash America.
- Co-founded Avant and banking technology business Amount.
- Recipient of the Ernst & Young Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year award twice, according to his Kennedy Human Rights Center biography.
- Named to the Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 list.
- CFA charterholder, as recorded by Founders Pledge.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Discussed StoicLane, artificial intelligence, Avant and podcasting on Lumida’s Non-Consensus Investing; the publisher dates the interview October 2.
- **2026-09** — Avant announced applications to the OCC and FDIC to establish Avant Bank, N.A., on September 18; approval remains a prerequisite.
- **2026-03** — Listed as the featured entrepreneur for a March 25 University of Illinois event on his refugee background and company-building career.
- **2025-09** — FIS completed its acquisition of Amount, the banking technology company Goldstein co-founded.

## Links

- Website: https://www.stoiclane.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-goldstein-a551732/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/goldstein2002

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/al-goldstein
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22