# Michael Rangel

> Michael Rangel co-founded Novo with Tyler McIntyre after choosing to put his MBA savings into a small business banking platform. Building began in 2016 and the platform launched in 2018. Under his leadership, Novo raised more than $170 million in equity funding and grew to serve more than 250,000 small business accounts. A former CEO who remains on the board, he now writes and speaks about independent business ownership and AI’s effect on work.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Board Member at Novo
- **Organizations:** Novo, Fairholme Capital Management
- **Education:** B.B.A., Finance & Entrepreneurship, University of Miami Herbert Business School, Graduate Foundations coursework in business; subsequently chose to build Novo rather than pursue an MBA, Columbia University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Novo and helped grow it to more than 250,000 small business accounts across all 50 states., Led Novo during a period in which it raised more than $170 million in equity funding., Novo was included in the Forbes Fintech 50 in 2022 and 2023 under his leadership.

## Career timeline

- **2009** — Graduated from the University of Miami; worked in finance, including trading and operations at Fairholme Capital Management.
- **2015** — Moved to New York, took Columbia classes, and in December pooled savings with Tyler McIntyre to begin Novo.
- **2016** — Began building Novo.
- **2018** — Launched the Novo platform.
- **2021** — Returned to Miami as Novo expanded its local presence; company raised approximately $41 million in Series A financing.
- **2022** — Novo announced a $90 million Series B in January and a $35 million extension in November; total equity funding reached about $170 million.
- **2024** — Reported more than 250,000 customers in November; Novo ranked No. 77 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2026** — Publicly identifies as Novo founder and board member, based in New York, writing and speaking about the independent economy after stepping away from daily leadership.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Novo and helped grow it to more than 250,000 small business accounts across all 50 states.
- Led Novo during a period in which it raised more than $170 million in equity funding.
- Novo was included in the Forbes Fintech 50 in 2022 and 2023 under his leadership.
- Novo ranked No. 38 in the 2023 Inc. 5000 and No. 77 in 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Discussed AI, trusted financial tools, and small business banking in a Unite.AI interview published September 15.
- **2026-10** — Appeared on Travis Makes Money on October 25 to discuss Novo, cash management, and independent business ownership.

## Links

- Website: https://michaelvrangel.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rangel/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MichaelVRangel

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-rangel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26