How Venmo Co-Founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail Pays It Forward by Applying Past Wins to New ProjectsSince Venmo took off, Magdon-Ismail has combined his passions with the lessons he learned from the successful payments company.

ByLydia Belanger

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Nomi Ellenson | Getty Images

On this episode ofHow Success Happens, we chat withIqram Magdon-Ismail, co-founder of mobile payments company Venmo and audio-sharing appEnse, which is in beta.

Magdon-Ismail co-founded Venmo in 2009 with his freshman-year roommate, Andrew Kortina, a few years after they graduated. But first, they dabbled in other ventures, including a real estate startup that brought in just enough revenue to pay for Venmo's first Philadelphia office space.

Not all of the co-founders' early instincts about Venmo proved correct, but many were right on the money. Braintree acquired Venmo in 2012, and PayPal acquired Braintree in 2013.

Related:5 Lessons Venmo's Co-Founder Learned While Building a Twice-Acquired Company

In our chat, Magdon-Ismail shares how the Venmo team initially positioned the app for mass adoption, explains why he believes the adage "success leaves clues" and describes a global opportunity for entrepreneurialproblem-solving.

Check out the full conversation below and find more episodes ofHow Success Happenshere.

Wavy Line
Lydia Belanger is a former associate editor at狗万官方. Follow her on Twitter:@LydiaBelanger.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

What Is a 'Lazy Girl Job'? New TikTok Trend Empowers Women to Work However They Want

The trend began as a way for women to find more free time during their days.

Business Ideas

The Top 10 Home Business Ideas for 2023

Can't figure out which enterprise you should launch in 2023? Check out 10 stellar home business ideas to get inspiration.

Starting a Business

10 Common Obstacles to Avoid When Starting a Business

Starting a new business can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Here are some common obstacles to avoid when starting a new business.

Growing a Business

3解决方案,帮助缓解日常压力Small Business Owners Face

We live in a world with increasing pressures from stakeholders, constantly changing customer expectations and volatile financial conditions — which for many, especially business owners — can make it hard to create clear distinctions between professional and personal emotions.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.