First Builders
The First Builders Podcast from The Council dives into the stories of those who go first—founders, funders, and early operators who helped build category-defining companies before they were household names. Hosted by General Partner Amber Illig and Partner Rachel Tsui, each episode brings a candid, practical conversation with someone who has helped shape companies before there was a playbook.
First Builders
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 Bittner
Twitter: @maiab
Website: https://www.xfactor.ventures/team
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Amber & Rachel
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Twitter/X: @first_builders_
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Show Notes:
- Chime’s June 2025 IPO Coverage: Chime almost died in 2016, turned down by 100 VCs — today it IPO’d at $14.5B
- XFactor Ventures – Maia Bittner’s Investment Work: XFactor Ventures Team
- Olin College – Maia’s Alma Mater: Olin College of Engineering