Airwallex CEO & Co-Founder, Jack Zhang: The Angel That Turned $1M into $1BN

In this interview, Jack shares his journey from working in a lemon factory in Australia as a teenager to founding Airwallex, a global payments and banking platform. He recounts early financial struggles, various side hustles, and the challenges of building a startup, including near-death experiences, raising capital, and turning down an acquisition offer from Stripe. Jack also discusses key decisions, such as prioritizing culture and international expansion, and reflects on the importance of vision, resilience, and learning from mistakes in the pursuit of building a generational company.

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20VC with Harry Stebbings

Introduction to Jack's Early Life and Financial Struggles

University, Side Hustles, and the Pursuit of Passion

Finding Passion and Securing Initial Funding for Airwallex

Building the Team and Overcoming Early Funding Challenges

Product Development, Pivots, and Securing Key Partnerships

Navigating Setbacks and Achieving Billion-Dollar Transaction Volume

Stripe's Acquisition Offer and the Decision to Remain Independent

Scaling Challenges, International Expansion, and Financial Discipline

Near-Death Experiences, Fundraising, and the Impact of COVID

Reflections, Future Vision, and Final Thoughts

Airwallex CEO & Co-Founder, Jack Zhang: The Angel That Turned $1M into $1BN

20VC with Harry Stebbings

00:00Introduction to Jack's Early Life and Financial Struggles

Introduction to Jack's Early Life and Financial Struggles

11:11University, Side Hustles, and the Pursuit of Passion

University, Side Hustles, and the Pursuit of Passion

17:27Finding Passion and Securing Initial Funding for Airwallex

Finding Passion and Securing Initial Funding for Airwallex

27:03Building the Team and Overcoming Early Funding Challenges

Building the Team and Overcoming Early Funding Challenges

37:04Product Development, Pivots, and Securing Key Partnerships

Product Development, Pivots, and Securing Key Partnerships

47:46Navigating Setbacks and Achieving Billion-Dollar Transaction Volume

Navigating Setbacks and Achieving Billion-Dollar Transaction Volume

58:10Stripe's Acquisition Offer and the Decision to Remain Independent

Stripe's Acquisition Offer and the Decision to Remain Independent

1:06:28Scaling Challenges, International Expansion, and Financial Discipline

Scaling Challenges, International Expansion, and Financial Discipline

1:17:30Near-Death Experiences, Fundraising, and the Impact of COVID

Near-Death Experiences, Fundraising, and the Impact of COVID

1:25:47Reflections, Future Vision, and Final Thoughts

Reflections, Future Vision, and Final Thoughts