Senior Staff Software Engineer, Robinhood

But Robinhood's not just about quick thrills. The company claims its mission lies in catering to "the unmet needs of the next generation," evidenced by its "Robinhood Retirement" launch, targeting gig-economy workers often excluded from financial planning. This commitment to accessibility aligns with its core values.

However, 2023 brought unexpected turbulence, as Robinhood became entangled in the FTX cryptocurrency exchange bankruptcy scandal when it emerged that the US Department of Justice seized hundreds of millions of dollars of the company's shares tied to FTX founder Bankman-Fried. Despite these challenges, Robinhood successfully bought back the missing stock, and its impact on democratizing finance remains undeniable.