SAN CARLOS, Calif. (Diya TV) — Indian American entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt has been named one of the 10 youngest billionaires in the United States by Forbes. At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin among the young billionaires, joining tech leaders such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Walmart heir Lukas Walton.
Forbes estimates Bhatt’s net worth at $6 billion. Much of his wealth comes from his 6 percent stake in Robinhood, the popular stock trading platform he co-founded. Robinhood went public in 2021 during the pandemic-driven boom in retail trading. Over the past year, the company’s stock has surged nearly 400 percent. Experts credit the rise to increased crypto transactions, new offerings like IRAs and high-yield savings accounts, and a record $3 billion in revenue in 2024.
Bhatt co-founded Robinhood in 2013 with Vlad Tenev. The mobile app launched in 2015, focusing on commission-free trading and a user-friendly design. Bhatt served as co-CEO until late 2020. He then became chief creative officer, a role he left in 2024. Despite stepping back from daily operations, he remains on Robinhood’s board.
Robinhood’s innovative approach has transformed online trading. The app has made investing accessible to millions, especially younger investors. Bhatt’s vision helped shape the company into a leader in fintech.
In October 2024, Bhatt announced Aetherflux, a space-based solar energy company headquartered in San Carlos. The venture plans to build a constellation of satellites to collect solar energy in space and beam it to Earth using infrared lasers. The company aims to deliver energy to remote and hard-to-reach regions.
Bhatt also holds investments in other space-focused ventures, including Reflect Orbit and Apex. His interest in space and renewable energy signals a shift from finance to technology with a broader societal impact.
Bhatt was born in Virginia to Gujarati immigrant parents. His father, a NASA scientist, had to leave his doctoral studies due to kidney failure. Growing up, Bhatt’s family faced financial challenges. They could not afford trips back to India after 1997 because of medical costs.
Despite hardships, Bhatt excelled academically. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in mathematics from Stanford University in 2008. It was at Stanford that he met Vlad Tenev, his future co-founder at Robinhood.
Bhatt’s success story resonates with many aspiring entrepreneurs. From overcoming financial struggles to leading one of the country’s most influential fintech companies, his journey highlights determination and innovation. Robinhood’s growth has not only reshaped trading but also inspired a generation of investors.
