Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 30, 2026

Jon Stein

Jonathan "Jon" Stein is an American fintech entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Betterment, the largest independent online financial advisor in the U.S., with over $18 billion in assets under management. Stein served as chief executive officer from Betterment's founding in 2010 until December 2020, when he was succeeded by Sarah Levy. Under the umbrella of Betterment Holdings Inc., Stein manages Betterment's core retail platform, often referred to as a "robo-advisor"; a 401(k) platform called Betterment for Business, and a digital advisory platform called Betterment for Advisors.

Last revised
Jun 30, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Jon Stein
Born
Jonathan Stein
EducationHarvard University
Columbia Business School
OccupationsInvestor, business magnate, and entrepreneur
Known forFounding and leading Betterment

Jonathan "Jon" Stein is an American fintech entrepreneur.1234 He is the founder and chairman5 of Betterment, the largest independent online financial advisor in the U.S., with over $18 billion in assets under management.6 Stein served as chief executive officer from Betterment's founding in 2010 until December 2020, when he was succeeded by Sarah Levy. Under the umbrella of Betterment Holdings Inc., Stein manages Betterment's core retail platform, often referred to as a "robo-advisor"; a 401(k) platform called Betterment for Business, and a digital advisory platform called Betterment for Advisors.

Stein received his B.A. from Harvard University and MBA from Columbia Business School.78

Stein launched Betterment in 2008 at TechCrunch Disrupt and made it to the final five in the Startup Battlefield competition the same year.910

An outspoken critic of some traditional financial practices, Stein has become a recognized industry advocate for more transparency in investing and more customer-centric financial solutions, as well as public policy issues, such as the U.S. Department of Labor's fiduciary rule for retirement plans.11

In 2016, Stein was awarded the 27th spot on Fortune's 40 Under 40 list.12

References

References

  1. "InvestmentNews - 40 Under 40 2014: Jon Stein". www.investmentnews.com. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  2. Anderson, Tom (2017-03-05). "Warren Buffett's advice 'doesn't work anymore,' robo-advisor CEO says". CNBC. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  3. Sharf, Samantha. "Betterment's Jon Stein: Curb Your Enthusiasm For Stock Picking". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  4. "FinTech Debate at Brandeis International Business School (IBS) | Brandeis International Business School". www.brandeis.edu. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  5. "The Pursuit of Betterment's New CEO (And Finding Happiness Along the Way)". 8 December 2020.
  6. "Betterment makes CFO hire with $20 billion AUM 'line of sight' and IPO mindfulness". RIABiz. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  7. "How Jon Stein Built Betterment, From High-Minded Mission to Outsider Scrappiness | NYC Founder Guide". www.nycfounderguide.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  8. "Betterment Resources | Original Content by Financial Experts". www.betterment.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  9. Arrington, Michael (26 May 2010). "The TechCrunch Disrupt Final Five: Betterment, MOVIECLIPS, Publish2, Soluto And UJAM | TechCrunch". Retrieved 2017-08-29.
  10. Schonfeld, Erick (2 December 2010). "Bessemer Backs Better-Savings Startup Betterment With $3 Million | TechCrunch". Retrieved 2017-08-29.
  11. "Why a Diluted Fiduciary Rule Is Bad for Advisors: Betterment, CFP Board". Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  12. "Morgan Vawter". Fortune. 2016-09-22. Retrieved 2017-07-25.