Immad Akhund, CEO and co-founder of Mercury
Immad Akhund, CEO and co-founder of Mercury, has become one of the most influential figures in the fintech space.Mercury is a cutting-edge financial technology company that’s changing how startups handle banking services, Since establishing the company in 2017, he has turned it into a trusted platform for startup banking, offering business accounts, credit products, and financial management tools. With its corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California,Under the leadership of CEO Immad Akhund, Mercury has grown into a trusted fintech platform that supports it to serve over 100,000 companies and has expanded its reach far beyond early-stage founders. Though not a traditional bank, Mercury teams up with chartered banking partners to hold deposits and deliver seamless banking workflows.
Early Life and Education
Born with a passion for technology, Immad Akhund pursued his higher education at the University of Cambridge from 2002 to 2006, where he received his Master of Arts in Computer Science. His academic foundation provided the technical expertise and problem-solving skills that would later fuel his entrepreneurial ventures.From there, he went on to work at Aquila as a software developer from June 2004 to August 2005, at which point he moved on to work as a Financial Software Developer at Bloomberg.
Founding Mercury
In 2017, Akhund teamed up with Max Tagher and Jason Zhang to launch Mercury, aiming to solve a long-standing pain point for startups modern, founder-friendly banking. The trio had previously worked together at mobile ad network Heyzap, founded by Akhund in 2008, where Tagher was a software engineer, while Zhang was the VP of business development. Unlike traditional banks, Mercury operates as a fintech company, partnering with FDIC-insured institutions such as Choice Financial Group and Column N.A. to provide secure banking services. The company’s first business accounts launched in 2019, marking the beginning of its rise in the competitive financial technology market.
Strategic Growth and Milestones
Mercury’s growth accelerated under Akhund’s leadership. In March 2023, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank led to an influx of new customers seeking stable, digital banking solutions.it was estimated that ~20% of SVB customers opened a new account at Mercury. Akhund stated that in just 6 days after the SVB collapse, Mercury had added more than $2 billion in deposits and thousands of customers. By March 2025, Mercury had secured $300 million in Series C funding, doubling its valuation to $3.5 billion. Investors like Sequoia Capital, Spark Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz backed the company’s vision for reshaping startup banking.
Product expansion has also been a key focus. From business checking and savings accounts, Mercury now offers corporate charge cards, personal banking, bill payment tools, and invoicing making it a one-stop platform for startup finances.
Mercury’s Headquarters in San Francisco
Operating from its headquarters in San Francisco, Mercury benefits from being at the heart of global innovation. The location allows Akhund and his team to stay connected with the tech ecosystem, investors, and the entrepreneurial community, ensuring that Mercury’s products stay aligned with real startup needs.
Leadership Style and Philosophy
Akhund’s leadership blends vision with pragmatism. He is known for maintaining a customer-centric approach, prioritizing product design and ease of use over flashy marketing. Beyond Mercury, he is a prolific angel investor, having backed more than 350 startups including Airtable, Rippling, and Rappi. His investment philosophy emphasizes supporting early-stage founders and encouraging bold, unconventional ideas.
The Human Side of Innovation
What sets Akhund apart is his willingness to learn from mistakes. He has openly discussed missing early opportunities, such as not investing in Scale AI, using these experiences to refine his judgment. This humility, combined with his track record of success, has built trust among peers, customers, and investors alike.
Why Immad Akhund Matters in Fintech Today
- Proven Growth Leadership – Took Mercury from an idea to a $3.5B fintech leader in under a decade.
- Product-Driven Focus – Designs tools for real startup needs, not generic solutions.
- Investor Confidence – Backed by top venture firms and trusted by over 100,000 companies.
- Resilience Under Pressure – Navigated market crises while growing customer base.
- Community Builder – Actively supports and mentors new founders through investments.
Future Outlook
Immad Akhund’s journey from a Cambridge computer science graduate to the CEO of a leading fintech company is a story of vision, persistence, and adaptability. Under his leadership, Mercury has become a trusted partner for startups, delivering banking solutions that combine security, usability, and innovation. From its base in San Francisco, Mercury continues to shape the future of startup banking powered by a leader who understands both the challenges and the potential of entrepreneurship.
