# Zaid Rahman

> Zaid Rahman is the founder and CEO of Flex, an AI-native private bank and finance super app targeting mid-market business owners with $3M-$100M in revenue. A Thiel Fellow who left Columbia University to build companies, he previously founded Volley (an AI knowledge startup backed by JPMorgan and Zuckerberg Ventures) and an EdTech platform that was acquired. Inspired by watching his father's Dubai construction business nearly collapse due to a payment default, he co-founded Flex in 2022 to build the all-in-one financial platform that mid-market owners never had. Flex has raised $490.5M in total funding, reached $3B in annualized TPV, and became the first US fintech to launch a Visa Infinite Business credit card.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Flex
- **Organizations:** Flex, 305 Ventures, The305, Volley, Pilot Labs
- **From:** India
- **Nationality:** American (Indian origin)
- **Education:** Dropped out (Thiel Fellowship), Columbia University, Fellow (Class of 2017), Thiel Fellowship
- **Known for:** Thiel Fellow (Class of 2017) - one of the most competitive startup fellowships globally, Two successful startup exits prior to Flex (Pilot Labs acquired by PE; Volley), First US fintech to launch a Visa Infinite Business credit card

## Career timeline

- **2017** — Selected as Thiel Fellow (Class of 2017), dropped out of Columbia University
- **2017-2019** — Founded Pilot Labs, a K-12/university EdTech platform; later acquired by private equity
- **2019-2022** — Founded Volley.com, an AI knowledge technology startup backed by JPMorgan Chase and Zuckerberg Ventures; worked with Fortune 500 companies
- **2020** — Co-founded 305 Ventures, an angel fund with 100+ investments in fintech, Web3, and enterprise software
- **2020** — Co-founded The305, a regional networking group with 1,000+ active members
- **2022** — Co-founded Flex with Hadi Solh; secured early funding and began building the finance super app
- **2023** — Raised $120M Series A (equity + debt) led by Florida Funders, with participation from Home Depot Ventures
- **2024** — Achieved $1B annualized total payments volume (TPV) within 18 months of launching card and bill pay products
- **2025-03** — Raised $225M in equity and debt funding at $250M valuation; became first US fintech to launch Visa Infinite Business credit card
- **2025-04** — Acquired a16z-backed consumer fintech Maza for $40M, integrating its Spanish-speaking consumer user base
- **2025-12** — Raised $60M Series B led by Portage Ventures; annualized TPV grown to $3B; revenue quadrupled year-over-year

## Achievements

- Thiel Fellow (Class of 2017) - one of the most competitive startup fellowships globally
- Two successful startup exits prior to Flex (Pilot Labs acquired by PE; Volley)
- First US fintech to launch a Visa Infinite Business credit card
- Built Flex to $3B annualized total payments volume within three years
- Raised $490.5M total funding for Flex including $60M Series B (December 2025)
- Quadrupled Flex revenue year-over-year
- Acquired a16z-backed Maza for $40M in April 2025
- Co-founded 305 Ventures with 100+ portfolio investments
- Grew Flex to 140 employees and $150M annual revenue
- Speaking at The Chicago Family Office & High Net Worth Conference (June 2026)

## Latest updates

- **2025-12** — Raised $60M Series B led by Portage Ventures with participation from Titanium Ventures, Wellington, and Crosslink Capital; Flex annualized TPV reached $3B and revenue quadrupled YoY
- **2025-04** — Acquired a16z-backed consumer fintech Maza for $40M, integrating 95% of its 22-person team and launching Flex Consumer for Spanish-speaking users
- **2025-03** — Raised $225M in equity and debt at $250M valuation; launched first Visa Infinite Business credit card in US fintech history

## Links

- Website: https://flex.one
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/zaidrahman
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/zaidrmn
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaidrmn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flexsuperapp/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/zaid-rahman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-20