Patrick Collison Cites Two Major Ventures Co-Founded with Family, Advocates for Close Collaboration

Stripe co-founder and CEO Patrick Collison recently shared his perspective on entrepreneurship, advocating for the often "underrated" practice of working with close family members. In a statement widely circulated on social media, Collison highlighted his own experiences, noting that his most significant ventures have been built alongside individuals with whom he shares enduring relationships. He offered advice to founders, stating, > "I think working with people you’re close to is underrated… For all of the ventures of any significance in my life, they’ve been with people that I’m very close to and who I had and would like to have an enduring relationship with."

Collison co-founded the global financial technology company Stripe with his brother, John Collison, in 2010. Under their joint leadership, Stripe has grown into a dominant force in online payments, processing over $1 trillion in total payment volume and serving millions of businesses across nearly 50 countries. The company's mission is to "grow the GDP of the internet," reflecting the brothers' vision for enabling economic activity globally.

This collaborative approach extends to the scientific realm, as Collison co-founded the Arc Institute in 2021 with his wife, Silvana Konermann. The biomedical research institution aims to pioneer new models for basic research, partnering with leading academic institutions such as Stanford, UC San Francisco, and UC Berkeley to accelerate discoveries for complex diseases.

Collison directly challenged conventional wisdom that often advises against mixing personal relationships with business. He described his experience as "a really rewarding experience," emphasizing the "real complementarity" he finds in these partnerships. He further expressed confidence in his enduring professional relationship with his brother, stating, > "I think John and I can work together for, you never know, life. But I think we’ll probably work together for decades. For us, it has been both an important source of meaning and fulfillment, but I also think there’s a real complementarity."

Collison's advice, stemming from a career that began with early programming and multiple ventures, provides a unique insight into the entrepreneurial mindset of a leader known for building highly impactful organizations. His personal success with family co-founders at both a major tech firm and a cutting-edge research institute lends significant weight to his unconventional counsel.