Early Life and Education
Chris Larsen was born in San Francisco, California, in 1960. He attended San Francisco State University, earning a B.S. in international business and accounting in 1984. He later earned an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1991.
Rise to Success
Larsen's career includes co-founding E-Loan in 1996, one of the first online mortgage lenders providing consumers with free FICO credit scores. In 2005, he co-founded Prosper Marketplace, a peer-to-peer lending platform. In 2012, he co-founded Ripple Labs, Inc., where he developed Ripple, a software for instant money transfer.
Key Business Strategies
Larsen has focused on creating innovative solutions in the fintech space, including online lending and blockchain technology. He has emphasized consumer financial privacy and the democratization of financial services.
Philanthropy
Larsen and his wife, Lyna Lam, have contributed significantly to philanthropic causes, including a $25 million gift to San Francisco State University. He has also supported various law enforcement and community initiatives.