The Builder Behind the IPO: Maia Bittner on Founding Pinch and Scaling Chime

In this episode, we sit down with Maia Bittner - a three-time founder, angel investor, and early team member at Chime - to explore the arc of a builder’s journey from zero to IPO. Maia shares how she co-founded Pinch to improve financial stability for millennials, scaled at Chime after the acquisition, and has since become a backer of new founders as an investor at XFactor Ventures.We dive into the uncommon paths to co-founder status, what made Pinch “acquirable,” and how Maia’s product instincts shaped user love across all her startups. She reflects on building with values, staying post-acquisition, and developing emotional resilience in hypergrowth environments.A must-listen for anyone building in the messy middle or wondering what it takes to be a First Builder in today’s market.Follow Maia BittnerTwitter: @maiabWebsite: https://www.xfactor.ventures/teamShow Notes:Chime’s June 2025 IPO Coverage: Chime almost died in 2016, turned down by 100 VCs — today it IPO’d at $14.5BXFactor Ventures – Maia Bittner’s Investment Work: XFactor Ventures TeamOlin College – Maia’s Alma Mater: Olin College of EngineeringFOLLOW THE COUNCIL & FIRST BUILDERSNewsletterYouTube: @firstbuilderspodInstagram: @thecouncilcapitalTwitter/X: @first_builders_TikTok: @firstbuilderspodLinkedIn: The Council