▶ 36:15 · $STRIPE · Stripe dominates startup payments but Airwallex sees path to compete via global money movement

episode briefing

Airwallex's Jack Zhang on Fintech, Failure, and Growth

2026-06-29 · 5 company · 5 thematic

sentiment

2 bull2 bear1 neu

speakers

Jack Zhang co-founded Airwallex in 2015 after a journey from China to Australia where he worked multiple jobs while studying. He previously started a magazine at 14, worked in investment banking algorithmic trading, and launched several businesses including architecture, real estate, coffee shops, and a burger chain. Airwallex now has 2,200 employees across 26 offices, $1.2-1.3B revenue growing 85%, valued at $11B+.

quote

“I feel like Stripe now is like a default for payments for startups in Silicon Valley. >> Right. >> And um you know, I you know, I mean, that's a great position to be in, but I'd rather be in the position I am, and I'm like, okay, I need to…”

—jack zhang

episode shorts · 3

How Airwallex Won Over Macquarie

The $1M Investment That Turned Into $500M

How Airwallex Was Born

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