Taavet Hinrikus's Biography

Taavet Hinrikus is an Estonian entrepreneur and investor best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Wise (formerly TransferWise), a leading international money transfer service. Born on August 8, 1981, Hinrikus began his professional journey as the first employee at Skype, where he played a crucial role in revolutionizing internet communications. Leveraging his experience at Skype, he recognized the inefficiencies in cross-border money transfers, inspiring him to launch Wise in 2011 along with Kristo Käärmann. Wise quickly grew into a fintech powerhouse, celebrated for its transparent fees and real exchange rates, attracting millions of users globally. Hinrikus's vision and leadership have earned him multiple recognitions, including the Financial Times Boldness in Business Award and a spot in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe alumni. Outside the boardroom, Taavet is passionate about cycling, technology, and supporting early-stage startups as an angel investor. He is married with two children and is known for his quote, "Money should move as easily as email." As of 2024, Hinrikus's estimated net worth stands at $1.1 billion, reflecting his significant impact on the fintech industry and his continued influence in business and innovation circles worldwide.