Description

Fintech is all the rage in New York now but did you know that the word is a portmanteau of financial and technology? Fintech companies took off in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis when new regulations put limitations on what traditional banks could or couldn’t do. Today, there are hot companies such as Lemonade, Betterment and Stash grabbing the headlines but one of the earliest players in fintech was CommonBond.

In 2012, CommonBond was founded on a simple premise: Help relieve the student loan burden with lower rates, simpler options and great customer service. Since inception, CommonBond has funded over $3 billion in better student loans. The company is one of New York’s hottest fintech firms, receiving over $4 billion in funding (a combination of debt and equity).

David Klein is co-founder and CEO of CommonBond. While pursuing his MBA he faced the issue of paying for school as well. That’s how CommonBond was born. He dropped out of school to launch the company and over the subsequent years he has learned a lot about building a sustainable and scalable company. Last year he shared some takeaways from his entrepreneurial journey on the Dealmakers Podcast. A key skill, according to Klein, is listening:

“….Listening to what other people have to say, not just what they’re saying, but reading between the lines and understanding what they really mean is very important. That’s the case in talking to investors and trying to understand what’s important to them. That’s the case in talking to new potential employees who you’re looking to recruit onboard as well as current employees who you’re looking to make and keep happy within the four corners of business objectives. It’s important with regulators. With industry players so that what you do as a business squarely fits with what you need to be doing as a business. Hearing what the other side is trying to say both directly and between the lines is important to business building.”

Klein will join the Club for an exclusive conversation covering his entrepreneurial journey, the future of fintech and how to scale a startup.

Join us for this exciting program, moderated by HBS alumna Chitra Nawbatt.

Participants must register by January 13th to receive details on joining the discussion.

Please note that no refunds will be issued.