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From Startup to IPO: Building a FinTech Giant in Charlotte w/ Michael Praeger, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, AvidXchange
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In this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Michael Prager, co-founder and CEO of AvidXchange. Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding early ventures to building AvidXchange into a leader in FinTech, processing $200 billion in annual payments. He discusses the importance of starting small, focusing on solving specific problems, and the evolution of AvidXchange's business model. Additionally, Michael highlights the advantages of building a tech company in Charlotte, North Carolina, and his commitment to bridging the digital divide through the AvidXchange Foundation. The conversation emphasizes practical advice for entrepreneurs, the importance of evolving leadership to match company growth, and the substantial impact AvidXchange has had on the Charlotte tech ecosystem.
Show Notes:
(02:53) Michael's Early Ventures and Entrepreneurial Lessons
(05:36) The Birth of AvidXchange
(06:32) Scaling AvidXchange: From Startup to Public Company
(12:20) Challenges and Lessons in Building a Tech Company
(20:18) The Evolution of the Avid Pay Network
(24:27) Raising Capital and Partnering with Bain
(26:58) The IPO Journey and Reflections
(28:48) Building a Tech Company in Charlotte
(34:05) Leadership and Personal Growth
(38:22) The Impact of AvidXchange on Charlotte
(40:20) Beyond the Bio: Personal Insights and Advice
✅ Host: Ian Hathway - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, FOVC
✅ Guest: Michael Praeger - Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, AvidXchange
Produced by Spellbinder Media. Executive Produced by Bridge Five Ventures. Copyright ©️2025, Bridge Five Ventures, LLC, All rights reserved.
Listen & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or at outsiderinc.substack.com.
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