Fireside Chat with David Velez: Nubank’s Decade of Innovation and Impact

David Vélez, the founder and leader of Nubank, reimagined banking in Latin America and was honored at the 2023 Endeavor Gala as Business Leader of the Year.

In 2013, the Colombian entrepreneur founded Nubank, offering all-digital banking services that were fee-free and customer-centric—starting with credit cards. The response was huge, and in the decade since, Nubank has grown into a $52 billion company serving more than 90 million people.

At Endeavor’s Gala, Martin Escobari, on Endeavor’s Global Board of Directors and Co-President of General Atlantic, held a fireside chat with David, exploring the entrepreneur’s remarkable journey. They discussed the birth of Nubank, born from David’s own frustrations trying to open a bank account in Brazil, and the neobank’s remarkable expansion across Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.

Learn how David scaled his company culture from its early stages, hiring individuals who aligned with Nubank’s core values, and the lessons he learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey. He shares his biggest mistakes and talks about the pivotal mentors who helped him along the way.

In 2021, David and his wife signed the Giving Pledge, agreeing to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. As Nubank grows and expands to new markets, David is committed to paying it forward and amplifying his Multiplier Effect on the world.